Kenda Klever RT 15/16” sizes - 60 owners heads up

[Cruisertrash]

@Inukshuk talked to me a while back about the Kenda Klever tires he runs on his 80. Honestly, I was kind of sold by the end of the conversation. Unfortunately they didn’t have any sizes smaller than a 17” wheel. I saw up a Kenda sales sheet from a year ago (posted on Mud) that mentioned 15” and 16” sizes on the way, but none of the retailers had them. So I got the gumption to email Kenda .... looks like these sizes will be a reality soon. I’m definitely considering the 33x9.5x15 size for my OEM 60 wheels. Some of the rock crawly folks might be into the 35x12.5x15.

 

[Telly]

Dayum! I ran this same Kenda tire on my 60, 35/10.5r17 with FJC steelies, and was impressed. I ended up selling the set because 35" were just too big for my suspension setup and decided to go back to 33's. 33/9.5r15 would be perfect for the 70 FJ40. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[Cruisertrash]

If finances allow I’m going to try to get into the 33/9.5/15 by years end. I have two sets of tires now and I’m not totally satisfied with either one. PO put 31” Big O ATs on the OEM wheels - probably the hardest rubber compound I’ve ever driven. Road manners are so-so, off-road they’re unhelpful, and they may be the worst tires I’ve ever driven in the snow. Absolutely terrifying when it’s wet - back end is all over the place with almost no throttle and say goodbye to braking. I have a set of 16” generic steelies with Duratracs that do great off road but are noisy for daily driving. But I don’t have a matching spare and they were used tires I picked up for cheap that are pretty shredded from rocks already. I’d rather move back to 5 OEM wheels with GOOD matching tires (especially since my tire carrier bumper is almost done). They just make sense for me I think.

 

[Telly]

When I bought my set last year, Walmart had them on sale for like $140/each. I remember walking out of the tire center with 5 tires for $750 bucks. Hopefully they offer that deal again.

 

[Cruisertrash]

I’ll go all in for $750! That’s an easy choice right there.

 

[J1000]

I hope they come out with a 35/10.5/16 that's what I'm waiting for. 17"s with the right pattern and spacing are hard to find or expensive.

 

[nakman]

I hope they come out with a 35/10.5/16 that's what I'm waiting for. 17"s with the right pattern and spacing are hard to find or expensive.

I am running some 17" steel rims from Discount tire, they work ok but I still have to run spacers in front to get them to not hit the calipers.

And are you guys talking about the R/T? Looks a lot like a Duratrac.. but from the excitement here I gather they're better?

 

[Telly]

I'm assuming the same tire.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Only 16" is 235/70R16. What an odd size - 29"x9.25" - to choose for a truck tire. Pizza cutter skinny like a 235/85R16 but without it's sidewall height. It looks like a decently aggressive AT. Bet it would sell well in 265/75R16 and especially 255/85R16.

 

[Cruisertrash]

Only 16" is 235/70R16. What an odd size - 29"x9.25" - to choose for a truck tire. Pizza cutter skinny like a 235/85R16 but without it's sidewall height. It looks like a decently aggressive AT. Bet it would sell well in 265/75R16 and especially 255/85R16.

The 16” offering is a little disappointing, huh? That’s OEM 60 size - great if you want to be low to the ground haha.

@nakman - the appeal for me is that folks seem to be finding they have more life and quieter road noise than the Duratracs and are less expensive. The pricing is such that 5 Klever RTs are about the same as 4 Duratracs of a similar size. The tread pattern is somewhat similar though.

 

[Cruisertrash]

@nakman - updated post to reflect the RT Klever specifically.

 

[DaveInDenver]

The 16” offering is a little disappointing, huh? That’s OEM 60 size - great if you want to be low to the ground haha.

I though the 60 had 15" tire stock? For comparison the Pickup was 225/75R15 stock. Speaking of OEM sizes, the 4WD Tacoma's smallest tire size is 245/75R16, so this tire is even smaller than a base 05+ Tacoma would get.

 

[Cruisertrash]

I though the 60 had 15" tire stock? For comparison the Pickup was 225/75R15 stock. Speaking of OEM sizes, the 4WD Tacoma's smallest tire size is 245/75R16, so this tire is even smaller than a base 05+ Tacoma would get.

Yes the 60 OEM wheels are 15” - I was just referring to the overall diameter being 29” which was the diameter of the OEM tires on a 60. To get real exact, the OEM spare tire I took off my 5th rim measured out at 29.25” if I remember correctly. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Yes the 60 OEM wheels are 15” - I was just referring to the overall diameter being 29” which was the diameter of the OEM tires on a 60. To get real exact, the OEM spare tire I took off my 5th rim measured out at 29.25” if I remember correctly. Sorry for the confusion.

Oh yeah, I get ya. Yeah, around 29" had been the base tire height on Toyota 4WD trucks since Moses bought his. At least until recently where 245/75R16 = ~30" and the 4Runners and Cruisers lately have taller tires, too. When the trucks were smaller a 29" tire was about right on stock suspension. Imagine how silly something like that would look on a Tundra! Those probably consume the same volume as two mini trucks.

 

[J1000]

Only 16" is 235/70R16. What an odd size - 29"x9.25" - to choose for a truck tire. Pizza cutter skinny like a 235/85R16 but without it's sidewall height. It looks like a decently aggressive AT. Bet it would sell well in 265/75R16 and especially 255/85R16.

Subaru bros

 

[DaveInDenver]

Subaru bros

That makes sense. Just a random image search. This says 235/75R15 but I do tend to forget other applications.

Like BFG has for decades has made the AT in 215/75R15 and it's popular with VW Synchros.

 

[Cruisertrash]

@J1000 Here’s the sales sheet Kenda put out last year: https://automotive.kendatire.com/media/735974/kenda_kr601_sales-sheet-071120.pdf

For the 33x9.5x15 they seem to nail the market (vintage 4x4s) in the “popular applications” section. But for the oddball 16” size they list 1997-3012 F150s and CJ Jeeps. This is 100% a Subaru Bro or Vanagon tire though - y’all are right. Maybe send a resume to Kenda?

 

[bassguyry]

That makes sense. Just a random image search. This says 235/75R15 but I do tend to forget other applications.

Not gonna lie...that's kind of sexy.

What is wrong with me?!

 

[Inukshuk]

@Cruisertrash excellent and thanks for the tag

My full write-up about the Klever A/T2 is here https://www.tctmagazine.net/winter-2021/winter-2021

Now also fully Moab proven. On Golden Spike a very experienced RS member in a great 200 had to winch 2x where I just drove.

If finances allow I’m going to try to get into the 33/9.5/15 by years end. I have two sets of tires now and I’m not totally satisfied with either one. PO put 31” Big O ATs on the OEM wheels - probably the hardest rubber compound I’ve ever driven. Road manners are so-so, off-road they’re unhelpful, and they may be the worst tires I’ve ever driven in the snow. Absolutely terrifying when it’s wet - back end is all over the place with almost no throttle and say goodbye to braking. I have a set of 16” generic steelies with Duratracs that do great off road but are noisy for daily driving. But I don’t have a matching spare and they were used tires I picked up for cheap that are pretty shredded from rocks already. I’d rather move back to 5 OEM wheels with GOOD matching tires (especially since my tire carrier bumper is almost done). They just make sense for me I think.

I had the Big O AT on my 60 in 2001 when I lost control on black ice on rabbit ears pass and slid into oncoming traffic and rolled.

I had something like 5 flat tires when I was running Duratracs on my 80. They were a great performer though on dry and snow. I just lost confidence and I have seen more DT's slash sidewalls than all other tires combined.

I am happy to present any technical questions to my contacts at Kenda.

 

[Cruisertrash]

@Inukshuk I hate to be a whiner, but those Big O ATs should be taken off the market. They are terrifying in the rain and snow, dangerous even.

I do have a couple questions. I’m not too knowledgeable about the auto tire industry but does Kenda source tires from another manufacturer and put their label on them? I know there’s some of that out there. What kind of longevity are you seeing?