BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A is an all-terrain tire for crossover, SUV, and light truck drivers who want a balance of comfort, durability, and performance. This tire features a symmetrical tread design with full-depth 3D sipes, serrated shoulder blocks, and a cut-and-chip-resistant compound. It’s rated with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol and M+S rating to keep you going in heavy snow and slush. In this BFGoodrich Trail Terrain TA review, I will evaluate the tire based on its on-road and off-road capabilities, tread life, noise level, and winter traction. And I’ll compare it to comparable all-terrain tires, like the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail and the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.
To test the Trail-Terrain T/A tires, I used a 2023 Ford F-150 4×4 with stock wheels and suspension and drove it over various road conditions, including asphalt, gravel, dirt, mud, and light snow. My overall impression of the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A is that it’s a solid choice for multipurpose drivers who value on-road manners and mild off-road durability but not for extreme off-roading. The tire provides excellent handling, stability, and a comfortable ride on paved roads, making it well-suited for everyday driving and decent traction and resistance on rough and uneven surfaces. It also performs well in light snow, thanks to its sipes and snowflake rating.
However, it doesn’t fare as well in extremely muddy conditions and has a shorter tread life warranty than some rivals. Additionally, it is heavier and more expensive than some comparable tires.
BFGoodrich Trail Terrain TA Performance Review
In this section, we comprehensively analyze the performance of the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A. Covering key aspects that define its on-road and off-road capabilities.
On-road handling
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A excels in on-road handling, responsive steering, stable braking, and confident cornering. The tire has a symmetrical tread design with continuous center ribs, enhancing steering feedback and high-speed stability. The full-depth 3D sipes and serrated shoulder blocks provide extra biting edges for grip on wet and dry roads. This tire ensures a comfortable ride quality attributed to its optimized tread pattern and internal structure. Minimizing road noise and vibrations enhances a quieter ride and extends tread life for longevity.
Off-road traction
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A offers decent off-road traction but is less aggressive than other all-terrain tires. The tire can easily handle light to moderate off-road conditions, such as gravel, dirt, sand, and rocks. The tire’s cut-and-chip-resistant compound and robust sidewalls protect it from punctures and abrasions. However, the tire may struggle in deep mud and loose sand, where it tends to sink and lose traction. The tire also lacks the self-cleaning ability of more open tread designs, which can lead to clogging and reduced performance.
Noise levels
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A is quiet, especially for an all-terrain tire. The tire has a variable pitch tread pattern that reduces the noise generated by the tire’s contact with the road. The tire also has chamfered tread block edges that minimize the impact noise and harmonics. The tire’s noise level is comparable to some highway tires and does not increase significantly with speed or road texture.
Fuel efficiency
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A is not a very fuel-efficient tire, mainly due to its heavy weight and high rolling resistance. The tire weighs about 40 lbs, about 5 lbs more than the average all-terrain tire. The tire also has a high rolling resistance coefficient of 0.011, about 0.002 more elevated than the average all-terrain tire. These factors increase the tire’s drag and reduce the vehicle’s gas mileage. According to some estimates, the tire can lower the fuel economy by about 1-2 mpg.
Durability
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A has good durability but is not as long-lasting as other all-terrain tires. The tire has a treadwear rating of 600, above the average for all-terrain tires but below some competitors, such as the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail (660) and the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S (740).
The tire also has a tread life warranty of 60,000 miles, lower than other all-terrain tires, such as the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail (65,000 miles) and the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S (65,000 miles). The tire’s durability depends on the driving style, road conditions, and maintenance.
Other considerations
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A has impressive features and aspects that make it stand out from other all-terrain tires.
One is its severe snow rating, which means it meets the industry standards for snow traction and performance. The tire has a three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on its sidewall, indicating it has passed the required snow grip and braking tests.
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tire has the M+S rating, which means it performs better than standard all-season tires in light snow and muddy conditions. The M+S rating indicates that the tire has wider tread grooves and larger tread blocks for more traction.
The tire also has a rim protector feature with a raised rubber ridge that shields the wheel from curb damage and scratches. The tire has a premium look and feel, with a bold sidewall design and a black lettering option.
BFGoodrich Trail Terrain TA Tires Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
- Performance: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Excellent off-road traction
- Good all-weather performance
- Surprisingly quiet for an all-terrain tire
- Design: 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Aggressive and attractive appearance
- Durable construction
- Safety: 4.7 out of 5 stars
- 3PMSF-certified for winter driving
- Good handling and stability
- Comfort: 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Comfortable ride on most surfaces
- It may feel slightly “floaty” at highway speeds
- Value: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Good value for the price
- 60,000-mile treadwear warranty
Pros & Cons of BFGoodrich Trail Terrain TA Tires
Pros
Cons
Comparison
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A is not the only on-road all-terrain tire in the market. Other models offer similar features and performance, such as the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail and the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. How does the Trail-Terrain T/A compare to these competitors?
Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail
This tire is for crossover, SUV, and light truck drivers who want a balance of on-road and off-road capabilities. It also has a symmetrical tread design with full-depth sipes, serrated shoulder blocks, and a cut-and-chip-resistant compound. It also has the 3PMSF symbol for winter performance. However, some tests show that the Wildpeak A/T Trail outperforms the Trail-Terrain T/A in wet braking, handling, snow traction, and ice traction. It also has a more extended tread life warranty of 65,000 miles, compared to 60,000 miles for the Trail-Terrain T/A. On the other hand, the Trail-Terrain T/A has better dry handling, steering response, and comfort than the Wildpeak A/T Trail. The Trail-Terrain T/A is also slightly cheaper than the Wildpeak A/T Trail, with an average price of $160 per tire, compared to $170 per tire for the Wildpeak A/T Trail.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
This tire is another on-road all-terrain tire that caters to crossover, SUV, and light truck drivers. It has an asymmetric tread design with 3D sipes, saw-tooth edges, and a silica-infused compound. It also has the 3PMSF symbol for winter performance. According to some tests, the Discoverer AT3 4S has wet braking, wet handling, snow traction, and ice traction similar to the Trail-Terrain T/A. It also has a similar dry handling, steering response, and comfort as the Trail-Terrain T/A. However, the Discoverer AT3 4S has a more extended tread life warranty of 65,000 miles, compared to 50,000 miles for the Trail-Terrain T/A. The Discoverer AT3 4S is also cheaper than the Trail-Terrain T/A, with an average price of $150 per tire, compared to $160 per tire for the Trail-Terrain T/A.
Unpacking Value
Based on these comparisons, the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A is a good tire for drivers who value on-road handling, stability, comfort, light off-road durability, and winter performance. However, it is not the best tire in its segment, as other tires offer better-wet traction, snow traction, ice traction, tread life warranty, and price. The Trail-Terrain T/A is suitable for drivers who drive primarily on paved roads, with occasional trips on gravel, dirt, or snow. It is also ideal for drivers with a moderate budget who are okay with sacrificing some wet and winter performance for dry and comfortable performance.
Conclusion
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A is an all-terrain tire with excellent on-road handling, stability, comfort, decent off-road traction, and winter performance. Its designs cater to crossover, SUV, and light truck drivers who want a balance of on- and off-road capabilities. However, it is not the best tire in its segment, as other tires offer better-wet traction, snow traction, ice traction, tread life warranty, and price. The Trail-Terrain T/A is a good choice for drivers who drive primarily on paved roads, with occasional trips on gravel, dirt, or snow. It is also a good choice for drivers with a moderate budget and are okay with sacrificing some wet and winter performance for dry and comfortable performance.
The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A is a reliable tire that fulfills its promises without commanding attention. While capable across various road conditions, it lacks excellence in any particular area. Satisfying most drivers, it needs to leave a lasting impression. While competent for the job, it doesn’t have the impact to make a difference truly.
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