37" Milestar Patagonia MT long term review, and initial review of 37" Baja Boss AT

[Bonanza]

So, with 18k on the clock, and about 17k on my Milestar Patagonias, I had a critical sidewall split and needed a whole new set. The Milestars had about 8/32 left of tread left on them at this point. I wheel rock trails about once every month to two months, so for me this is atrocious wear. For the price of tires, for them to last about 2 oil changes' worth is unacceptable. Further, while I was initially pleased with the loudness of the tire, they grew horribly irritating as they wore down. Mind you- they wore down FAST. The milestars are meant to be run a little more inflated, to stay on the center treads. However, inevitably you start having the outer blocks contact the pavement, which creates a din on the freeway. Not mud bogger levels, but enough to notice and be annoyed. For me, the most irritating thing of all was 2-5mph vibration through the cabin, which rattled every bit of plastic trim. At first I associated it with a cool MT experience, but it quickly became annoying. The visor, upper dash trim, car seats-- it all vibrated intensely.

I also have a long standing MPG of 16.7 on these with 4.88 and 4.10 gears-- re-gearing had no impact on MPG.

I will say these tires, when I've used them offroad, were spectacular. Incredible grip, and up until they split, I had no complaints. I can't say that any tire would've fared better in regards to the split, so I can't hold it against the tire without more evidence another tire would've been fine where this failed. But the negatives outweighed the offroad ability, and on I went. See for yourself in the pictures below and tell me if this looks like a tire with 17k miles, or a tire with 40k miles....

For the new:

They measure at 36" exactly mounted and aired up to 35psi. My initial impressions are that I'm pleased with the on road manners and noise. The sidewall looks very cool compared to other ATs. It's as silent as a road tire, and no MT low speed vibration coming from the tread blocks. I am hoping they soften as they wear, because I have a bit of a "princess and the pea" sensation of feeling a lot more of the road imperfections. They look awesome, and for all the daily driving I do, I'm already happier. I expect they will outperform the patagonias in the soft sand of Johnson Valley, but the real question is how these will hook up on rock trails. And, I'm curious to see the long term increase in MPG, if any.

I will thank @Discount Tire for price matching the 4wp discount and getting everything set up. I went with them for the warranty in case I have another premature sidewall failure. Even though I get wholesale tire prices at some places, the discount didn't offset the value I see in the warranty.

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[Randonexplosion]

Lower those bad boys down to 30 and see how they feel.

Ive always been curious of the mileage one would get on the Milestars due to the crowned tread.

 

[Marlinvx]

I ran my milestars at 26-28 psi for 17 or 18K miles, and they were still >50% when I traded it in. I also bought them when they were about 200 bucks. Would buy again at that price (actually ran them in 35s on my first gladiator, but only for 10K miles or so before I traded it in for my new gladiator)
For the baja boss, really need to do a chalk test, 35 seems way high for our light trucks, unless it is a C rated tire.

 

[Bonanza]

I ran my milestars at 26-28 psi for 17 or 18K miles, and they were still >50% when I traded it in. I also bought them when they were about 200 bucks. Would buy again at that price (actually ran them in 35s on my first gladiator, but only for 10K miles or so before I traded it in for my new gladiator)
For the baja boss, really need to do a chalk test, 35 seems way high for our light trucks, unless it is a C rated tire.

It's hard to imagine getting that life out of these unless you really never wheel them. Mine weren't cupped or anything, which was nice. They wore flat and even. I wouldn't even say I wheeled mine hard, as I avoid wheelspin like crazy whenever possible to go easy on my axleshafts. I maybe had another 2k left before the tread depth was entirely gone.

 

[Discount Tire]

@Bonanza, thank you for the shout out as well as the detailed review.

I like the look of the Mickey Thompsons in the last photo. That's a good stance.

 

[AmosMoses01]

Glad you're liking the Mickeys -- I'm also running the Baja Boss AT 37's - have liked them (about 2k miles on them so far, mostly onroad), but do need to get them back to Discount for balancing. I'm thinking I lost a weight or two on one of the passenger side tires.

Agree that 35lbs is pretty high - I'm running mine at 27lbs on AEV Pintlers (17 x 8.5), and even at that level it could still stand to drop another pound or two to get to a perfect chalk test pass. I plan on rotating these puppies (5 tire rotation) pretty early (probably at 3k point) to maximize life as much as possible.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

??? that' jack though...

 

[Bonanza]

??? that' jack though...

Yeah. Say no more... This was the "safest" way to get the axle up. We had a high lift on the bumper put it wasn't getting the tire/axle up. This was a narrow trail, V-notching for a long way. The widow-maker, on a rock, was the best idea at the time. I had a bottle jack, which I decided I wouldn't need because we had a few high lifts and said "nah this will be easy". I remember cursing the gods that I left it behind.

Everytime I have to use a jack in the field I agonize over how un-easy they are to use, and how precarious the jacking is. I still haven't seen a jacking solution I like. The high-lifts, I have to say, are like holding a hand grenade. I hate them.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Yeah. Say no more... This was the "safest" way to get the axle up. We had a high lift on the bumper put it wasn't getting the tire/axle up. This was a narrow trail, V-notching for a long way. The widow-maker, on a rock, was the best idea at the time. I had a bottle jack, which I decided I wouldn't need because we had a few high lifts and said "nah this will be easy".

Everytime I have to use a jack in the field I agonize over how un-easy they are to use, and how precarious the jacking is. I still haven't seen a jacking solution I like. The high-lifts, I have to say, are like holding a hand grenade. I hate them.

Do you not have high lift spots on the sides? Really need them all corners and sides. Dig a notch for the hi lift into the hillside so it's flat and lift off the side.

 

[Bonanza]

Do you not have high lift spots on the sides? Really need them all corners and sides. Dig a notch for the hi lift into the hillside so it's flat and lift off the side.

Tried it. I had a shovel with me too, and we dug out a spot for my OSHA approved jacking. High-lifting on the sliders was only leaning the vehicle. I tried to dig down beneath the tire, but hit bedrock. Ultimately we high-lift jacked the front to transfer weight to the driver's side, then jacked the axle to the minimal amount needed to pull the tire and put a spare on.

By no way is what's pictured ideal or suggested. Indeed, it's a lesson to be better prepared.

 

[shokker70]

I asked the guy at my local Discount Tire before I ordered my Nittos. He immediately warned me away from those tires. Get what you pay for type thing as he explained it.

 

[Deleted member 47279]

i am very much over these patagonias. the wear is crazy and have lost 2 due too side wall damage. repairs are not an option as they tear like crazy. im currently on 27 psi to even out the cupping i was running at 36 psi to begin with.

 

[Marlinvx]

It's hard to imagine getting that life out of these unless you really never wheel them. Mine weren't cupped or anything, which was nice. They wore flat and even. I wouldn't even say I wheeled mine hard, as I avoid wheelspin like crazy whenever possible to go easy on my axleshafts. I maybe had another 2k left before the tread depth was entirely gone.

Few times a year at SMORR, Hot Springs, KS Rocks, etc. Were yours black label? If so, that would explain everything!

 

[Blackjeepjk]

Your mileage may vary.
I have the Patagonia’s in 13.5x40.
23,000mi. Mild off-road, 5 tire rotation @3k mi. 36-38psi hwy, 18psi off-road
I wanted nitto’s but got these due to back orders and lead times.
Ended up being very pleased.

 

[Marlinvx]

Your mileage may vary.
I have the Patagonia’s in 13.5x40.
23,000mi. Mild off-road, 5 tire rotation @3k mi. 36-38psi hwy, 18psi off-road
I wanted nitto’s but got these due to back orders and lead times.
Ended up being very pleased.

Agreed. I have seen people with 500-700 dollar "insert premium brand here" rip a sidewall, and are now out that 500-700 bucks. I rip a pat, I was out 200 bucks. I ripped the side out of a brand new general at Uwharrie, 1st time out with them. 400 bucks gone. I vowed to run cheap ass mud tires for crawling from then on (except the Goodyear mtr Kevlars i ran on my vehicross, good tire, too heavy and too expensive).

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