I'm looking for tire recommendations for wheeling out here in the Southwest. My RR lift kit and Supersliders are on the way...the lift kit with my new tires (29.5") should put my gc at around 11.5". Right now I doubt I'll go on trails beyond a 3.0 rating out of 5.0...there's a chance I'll go on 3.5 level trails if I can handle the 3.0 trails. I like the idea of crossing some water (nothing deeper than 20"), light mudding and taking it up in the mountains when it snows.

I'm wondering if I "need" BFG MT's or am I okay with BFG AT's...possibly even General Grabber AT 2??? Note: these tires will be my spare set used only for off-roading trips.

Here's a link describing the trail ratings out here:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/resources/expedition_handbook/trail_rating.htm

Here are some shots of stuff I'll be attempting:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/reviews/patriot/index.htm

If only used for off-roading, I'd get a good mud tire. Fewer compromises for on-road driving.

sorry can't open links....

Are you going to be wheeling in the desert? If so, you need to be aware that cactus--or is it cacti--can do irrepairable damage to your sidewalls. If you will be spending time there, do some research and get the right tire.

Out here you need MT's if you're off-road only.
But you need MT's with strong sidewalls and knobs. Rock crawling and cactii (Hoosier) tears the crap out of your tires.

I had Firestone Destination MT's on my Wrangler, and they held up very well out in the desert. After about a year and 5,000 miles or so on them - about half of that offroad - they had a couple of knobs torn off and some visible wear... but no flats. And the traction was amazing.

Not sure though if they have one in a size for the Pat.

I'm looking for tire recommendations for wheeling out here in the Southwest. My RR lift kit and Supersliders are on the way...the lift kit with my new tires (29.5") should put my gc at around 11.5". Right now I doubt I'll go on trails beyond a 3.0 rating out of 5.0...there's a chance I'll go on 3.5 level trails if I can handle the 3.0 trails. I like the idea of crossing some water (nothing deeper than 20"), light mudding and taking it up in the mountains when it snows.

I'm wondering if I "need" BFG MT's or am I okay with BFG AT's...possibly even General Grabber AT 2??? Note: these tires will be my spare set used only for off-roading trips.

Here's a link describing the trail ratings out here:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/resources/expedition_handbook/trail_rating.htm

Here are some shots of stuff I'll be attempting:
http://www.expeditionswest.com/equipment/reviews/patriot/index.htm

If you want to spend the money, BF Goodrich Mud/Terrain KM2s cannot be beat. I had them on both my Wranger X and my Rubicon and have probably logged over 1500 miles of off road, desert/mountain/rocky terrain with them and never once had one go flat on me. They have three-ply sidewalls, which is an absolute must considering the stress that a rocky trail puts on the sidewalls.

The KM2s are expensive tires, but if you're going to really get out into the wild, the last thing you need to be worrying about is your tires or your battery, so, yes, I believe you "need" them. After going to the expense of having it lifted, there is no reason to bargain shop for tires, particularly since you mentioned doing 3.0 rated trails. (3.0 really means you'll only be scared two or three times instead of all the time...:) You can also safely air down the KM2s to 12-15 psi, which really improves the traction and the ride on a difficult terrain. In fact, on that kind of trail I envision a lot of obstacles that would be nearly impossible fully aired up. They don't make a lot of noise on the highway, either, but mpg will decrease a bit, because they are quite heavy.

I just got a trail rated 2010 Patriot and did a few trails last weekend. The vehicle did fine, but no way I'm going to have much faith in those Goodyear Wranger tires it shipped with. They do not have the kind aggressive tread that desert driving demands when sand is encountered, and the sidewalls are not half as tough as a KM2.

Good luck. BF Goodrich also makes an all terrain tire with 3-ply sidewalls which has good tread. I've had good luck with them on my Ford Ranger and have a lot of faith in them.

Someone mentioned the plant life being a problem, and it sure is. I'd rather roll through glass than roll over a mesquite branch.

You seem serious about off-roading so also look into getting some heavy duty suspension parts. The ones on the Patriot, even like mine with Freedom II, are just not up to the job of tackling a 3.0 rated trail. Without some reinforcement I would expect some trail damage.

Why bother with a Two year old Thread, it's history. I would think he got a set of Tires over Two years ago.