The BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ is designed for drivers who want serious off-road capability without giving up the comfort needed from a daily driver. After the first 500 miles on a 2011 two-door Jeep Wrangler Sport, the tire has impressed with its ride quality, dry-weather grip and aggressive appearance, while deeper water has exposed some weaknesses.
What Is the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+?
The Trail-Terrain T/A+ is aimed at the weekend warrior who needs more capability than a conventional highway tire can provide. It sits beneath the KO2/KO3 in BFGoodrich’s lineup and is intended for drivers who use their vehicle as a daily driver but occasionally encounter demanding off-road conditions.
According to BFGoodrich, the “+” designation reflects improvements in three key areas: all-weather traction, longevity and fuel efficiency. Traction and fuel efficiency can be evaluated during a review, while long-term reliability requires more time than this test allows.
The tire’s wet-weather performance is particularly important because its all-terrain tread lacks the clearly defined circumferential grooves found on street tires to shed water. Its zigzag tread design is intended to provide grip on rocky surfaces, but that design can present challenges in wet conditions.
BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ Test Details
- Test vehicle: “JK” Jeep Wrangler 2-Door Sport (2011)
- Tire size: 265/70R/17 (square)
- Tire weight: ~30-50 lbs (varies by size)
- UTOG: Treadwear: 660; Traction: B; Temperature: A
- Suspension and geometry: Stock (OE Wrangler 2-Door Sport Package suspension)
- Driving conditions: Casual cruising, open highway
- Location: Midwest USA
- Highs: Ride quality; dry-weather handling and grip; aesthetics
- Lows: Fidgety in deeper puddles; not a ton of feedback in the wheel
BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ Price
The Trail-Terrain T/A+ sits toward the premium end of the off-road tire market and is not positioned as a bargain option. In the standard 255/75R/17 fitment for the Wrangler, the tires cost about $315 apiece at the time of publication. The 265/70R/17 size being tested costs about $15 less per tire.
The BFGoodrich tires replaced a set of Nokian Outpost ATs, which have since been superseded by the nAT with the same tire and different letters. In the equivalent size, the Nokians cost about $30 less per tire.
Trail-Terrain T/A+ Looks and Design
The Trail-Terrain T/A+ is advertised as a white-letter tire, although the lettering appears on only one side. Because the tread pattern is symmetrical and nondirectional, the tires can be mounted in either orientation.
The test vehicle was fitted with the white lettering facing outward, where it worked reasonably well with the knock-off OEM steel wheels. Some blue dye remained after installation, but that did not prove to be a major concern.
The tire also brings a chunky appearance. Its wide rubber looks particularly aggressive on the factory-height JK, giving the Wrangler a more grounded appearance than its original 16-inch wheels and fuel-economy tires.
First 500 Miles With the T/A+
The Trail-Terrain T/A+ made a strong first impression. Despite their physical size and weight, the tires deliver a notably comfortable ride, absorbing sharp impacts without wallowing over softer ones.
That improved ride comes with a trade-off in steering feedback. The tires also feel somewhat fidgety and vague in deeper water, with the substantial width of the particular 265/70R/17 fitment making the sensation more noticeable.
It is still too early to determine how the wider tires will affect fuel economy. With so few miles completed, the impact is difficult to isolate, particularly on a Wrangler, where mediocre fuel economy is already part of the experience. Fuel consumption will be monitored over the next few fill-ups as a longer-term trend develops.
Daily Driving Comfort
In town, the Trail-Terrain T/A+’s mild road manners are a major advantage. Even with the Wrangler, there is virtually no tire roar, while the thick sidewalls absorb bumps effectively.
The T/A+ is the most comfortable tire tested on the Jeep, surpassing the original-equipment Goodyears.
The additional weight compared with the 16-inch tires that were replaced is noticeable. Acceleration feels more sluggish with the heavier tires, and the clutch benefits from less unsprung weight, but the improvement in ride quality makes the trade-off worthwhile for daily driving.
Off-Road Testing Is Still Ahead
The Trail-Terrain T/A+ tires have only barely been broken in, so a proper off-road evaluation has not yet taken place. More testing is planned once an opportunity to put the tires through dirt arrives.
Winter and Severe Weather Testing
The tires arrived after the final frost had passed, but testing will continue into the winter months because of their severe snow and ice handling. The Trail-Terrain T/A+ carries a genuine Three-Peak Mountain rating.
Passenger Impressions
The improvement in on-road comfort has also been noticed by the driver’s wife, who commented that the ride is much less jarring than it was with the Nokian tires.
A direct comparison is difficult because the BFGoodrich tires have additional sidewall and mass, but the improvement in ride quality is still welcome.
BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ Verdict
After the first 500 miles, the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ has already made a positive impression. Its strongest early qualities are ride comfort, dry-weather handling and grip, along with its aggressive appearance.
Deeper water and reduced steering feedback remain areas to watch, while the tire has not yet received a proper off-road test. Further updates will follow as more miles and rough ground are added to the evaluation.
