Tire's,Tires,Tires

[IRONGOOK]

O.K. I want everyone’s opinion/advise: For a course like Barstow should I run a mud terrain tire like M/T's Baja Claw or BFG's mud tire or an all terrain type tread like the M/T baja belted HP or BFG All terrain. I'm running 33X12.50-15 tires and happy with the size. Their on a 7's Toyota with a 4cyl, 5sp and 9" with 5.18 gears. I've run all terrain's and had good luck, but its time to replace them and want to hear from fellow racers on what they think.
Thanks,
The Irongook

"If I had a shoe string budget, I would be happy.................All I have is a thread of one."

[MSS]

At Barstow I would run the actual Baja T/A, if that is even an option, to many rocks for Muds and All Terrains.

[Racin_Cowboy]

The Mickey Thompson trailer will be at tech with tires and keep in mind that we are paying contingency. If you want help picking the right M/T tire call me at 909-587-0101 x120.

[Josh_K]

This goes against all the B.F.Garbage that most people will say, but I recommend that you give the bias M/T claws a try. I have run both brands on my class 8 and I can say for a fact that a Claw far outperforms a Baja t/a hands down.

Here is the low down:
1)The claw has a lot more traction then the other tire. So much so that it becomes more important to lift off the gas when the tires are in the air. Or bad things can happen. This is standard with all off-road tires and trucks, its just a little more important with the Claws that the others.
2)Your brakes will work way better. And I mean a lot better. My 6000 lbs trucks almost feels like it will stands on its noose with the claws. At say 60 mph I would guess that if I locked the brakes the truck might stop in 200'. Add 50' to 75' for the other brand. The other just slips and slid around. Claws dig in and stop.
3)Turning and driving through the soft stuff, again in silt the Baja t/a slip and slid to the point that you can feel out of control because there is no bite. Claws don't do that. You go where you point the wheel.
4)Sidewall strength, I haven't cut a sidewall yet and not taken the wheel out too. I can't blame the tire when I club a rock hard enough to break a wheel.
5)The cost, well all I can say is the other company is really proud of their tire.
6)Lots better racer support. M/T pays in cash if you place well. And will make a better deal on the tires. Of course this only matters if you race.
7)And the M/T people are nicer to deal with.

The reasons I like them goes on and on. But I will say this for the other tire there are a lot of teams that run the BFG and they use them for there reasons and I wouldn't say that a Claw is a good fit for a 700 hp t.t. either but if you have a class 8 that is a little low on power like mine (430 hp) or are in a limited class like 7 or 7s, you will love them once you get use to them.

BTW one negative is that the Claw is direction on the drive axel. You have to carry a right and left spare tire.

Josh

[JrSyko]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Lots better racer support

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, but I don't think anybody supports the sport better than BFG. They do more for the sport than anybody from pitting, logistics,and communications nobody else even comes close.

[Josh_K]

Well your right if you thinking about racing in Mexico. Its hard to beat there pit support. But for the average dude like my self that does the hit and miss race schedule and mostly runs MDR all the bfg pits in Mexico dont do me any good!

[frankh]

how about some stats from the last SCORE race.

57% of the team that started ran BFG
70% of the finisher were BFG
16 out of 17 of the team that won there Class were BFG. Witch included 8,7,7s

[toyoter91]

yeah but frank you know its not only the tire that wins the race http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smile.gif but i am sure it didnt hurt http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/wink.gif but i am a BFG guy all the way. so i say go with BFG because like someone stated above there isnt anyone who has done as much for this sport and keeps doing for this sport.

[Mintychip]

BFG is owned by Michelin, a french company, whether that matters to anyone or not.

[WorkInProgress]

Yea but would you rather oppose the french or the people that support off road hardcore??

[Mintychip]

I guess in the great scheme of things I value my country more than a company that supports our sport. But this is a thread on tires not international relations.

Dance Vance does pretty well with Goodyears.

[WorkInProgress]

I dont want to get all off topic but i agree with you on the country over offroading but the french arent hurting us that bad. Im done. http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smile.gif I like bfgs but I think that the MTs baja claws are pretty good and look pretty burly.

[Mintychip]

What's the average going price on the baja claws? They do look pretty mean.

[johnnyweb]

stick to the bfg's they have a better sellection of tires, better availability,you can find them used all the time for your budget concern, excellent contengency program that pays you in $$$ 500 for first in BITD, excellent racer support, heavier duty model tires, and how wants to carry directional lt and rt side tires on there truck. we run both baja ta's and a/t's on our 7300 truck depending on the terrain of the course. we ran parker 425 on a/t's and got 0 flats. personally i fell flat tires are caused by the driver more then the tire's. also i would stick to an a/t with a lower powered vehicle. it will stay on top of the sand and silt. with lots of hp you can relly on wheel speed to get through the soft stuff. but for low powered trucks you need flotation. for a rocky course go with the baja t/a's. last but not least they support our sport and i fell that is important. so what if there;s french some were in there back ground as far as we know we all may have fench in our backgrounds.good luck with your choice.

[WorkInProgress]

I think it is around 200 bucks for the street baja claws for 35's. Not to sure about the race version ones though.

[IRONGOOK]

Thanks guys. I don't deny BFG's support for offroad racing, its unquestenable. But my main question is an all terrian type tire or more aggressive mud terrian for a course like barstow. I like BFG's but M/T is offering a fantastic contingency for the MORE race which can't be taken lightly. For a eacer like myself I need to consider that.

[ACID_RAIN28]

Talking about what Tire brand/ compound is better around this place is like sayin chevy is better than Ford, and etc. Never ending story

[Jack]

I would like to say BFG, because I have been using them for years, and get them cheap. But I have been disapointed with the sidewall puncture resistance scence they changed to the KO If you can find old smooth side walls they were stronger (did not look it but never had a sticker slow leak problem with them). As stated above the AT are best for low power in the soft stuff, and you would want the baja for barstow rocks. I can not comment on the Mikeys, I have not used them, but there are sounding better and better all the time.

[jeff]

If anyone wants to buy a set of Mickey Thompson tires PM me the size and the ship to address and I can see what I can do to save you a buck or two.

Aloha

[Jkrell]

Irongock,
I run a truck similiar to your...1450 toyota with 33 inch tires. I´ve been running the BFG 33x10.5´s AT without to many problems. I´ve got some flats but the majority of them have come from a mistake on my part. I have a freind running the Mud Terrains in the same size on a similiar truck and he hasn´t had a flat yet. Neither of us are running big horse power motors thought that would tear up tires.
Good luck

Jon

[WFODAN]

I have run alot of different tires on my trucks , but I have to agree with JKrell ........ The 33 X 10.50 BFG AT KO has been the best tire I've ran . I raced a season and a half without a flat on the same set on tortuga . Never even rotated the spare into the mix . After that I got the deal with Goodyear and gave Pat K my old BFGs to run on his truck . He still has them on , and still no flats . I always joked and said that set of four tires was majic . However once the Goodyears went on the truck , I aveaged over one flat tire per race . These were the Goodyear Kevlars also . Also running the heavier tire the truck lost a few minutes per lap on average , and bent the rims on the truck from the center each race . I Did run a set of MTRs also that were good tires . I just didn't like the side bite they had .I have never tried the Mickeys , so I don't know about them . I say run the tire you like , or works the best with your setup . Just make sure your co driver is big enough to change them when they go flat !!! LOL!!

[fishd00d]

Thats why we ran the BFG's so the Co-Driver didnt have to worry about it http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smile.gif Sucked when I actually had to change one with the Goodyears!!

[J_Dog]

If you are racing and plan on using BFG's contact them at 1-800-RACE-BFG cand ask them send you a race packet. They have you fill out some paperwork and then will sell you tires at a "race price" (a little cheaper than retail). To do this, though, you must run their tires exclusively, run stickers on your truck, patches on race suit. The race packet explains all the rules of the program in detail. This will, also, qualify you for their contingency programs with the different racing organizations.

[IRONGOOK]

Thanks to all for your replys. Here is what I did and the results. I have run BFG's all terrains and had 2 flats with them at the last MDR race in lucerne. We met with Tom from Mickey Thompson at tech for Saturdays MORE race in Barstow. We purchased 2 33 X 12.50-15 Baja Belted HP's for the front and 2 33 x 13.50-15 Baja Claws for the rear. We ran hard during the Race and for those of you who have ran Barstow know the course is 90% Nasty rocky. I know I hit stuff that would have blown out most tires. To my amazement their were no cuts, snags or scratch's on the tires after the race. I'm covinced that the M/T tires are the best choice. And to top it off, For finishing 1st I get a $500 check from M/T. Not to shabby.

[DVMchase]

Come on Fish their not that heavy! http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Desert Specialties]

There a little heavy but we usually only have to replace them when the tread is gone.
or hit a big rock I couldnt see when the sun was in my eyes or decided to make a crazy pass in the bushes. Bfg Bajas will last

[Beat98TJ]

It has been a few years since this thread was started, and I am wondering how people are liking the M/T tires over time.