New Tires-Truck seems to "wander" now???

[EArp]

I just got new 285/70/17 Michelin LTX AT2's in a "D" load range. They've got about 60 psi all the way around. It seems like the truck seems to "wander" now ever so slightly. It drives in a straight line just fine, it just seems like if I turn the wheel that it's not as "tight" as it was before and seems to "wander". The truck only has 38k on it, and I don't tow or go offroad that often. Discount tires informed me that they don't do front end alignments, so i'm wondering if that might be the issue or if I might have another problem. My previous tires were the OEM Michelin M/S 265/70's. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[BDaugherty]

Put a few miles on them. It seems like every brand new set of tires I ever put on a heavy truck were a little "squirrely" until they took a wear pattern.

 

[CPittman]

Could be the "softer" sidewall of the D-rated tire... could be different siping on the LTX causing it to follow small grooves or irregularities in the road surface... could be both factors working together.



I definitely noticed more "wandering" when I changed from the BFG Rugged Trails to the Toyo Open Country tires. I stayed with the 10-ply tires but the siping still causes it to pull left to right over differing road surfaces.

 

[JimB1]

Are the D's rated to carry your max GVWR?



Some years ago a tire shop salesman wrote my purchase order for D's when I'd specifed E's and I didn't catch it.



Within 2-3 miles of leaving shop it felt like herding a couch on caster wheels.



I immediately returned to shop and salesman said "here's the invoice, this is what you bought" and didn't want to acknowledge I'd spec'd E's.



My response was "heres me dialing my credit card company".



Salesman got me in next open bay and correct load range E tires made my old 3/4 ton 2wd Dodge handle much much better.

 

[EArp]

There was not an available E rating in the Michelin LTX AT2's in the size specified. Although, if you compare the load rating with the larger size D rated tire I bought to the load rating of the smaller OEM size E rated tire they are very similar if I remember correctly. I don't tow anything anyhow, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal. You guys are probably right. They probably just need to be broken in. I'm going to do an alignment tomorrow anyway, just because I believe it's a good idea to do that when you get a new set of tires. Hopefully with the alignment and getting them broken in a little bit it will help. I appreciate the replies, keep 'em comin if you have any additional thoughts.

 

[EArp]

Within 2-3 miles of leaving shop it felt like herding a couch on caster wheels.

BTW, I like your analogy! :-laf

 

[EArp]

Just looked up the load range on Michelin's website.

LTX AT2

285/70/17 Load range D=3195

265/70/17 Load range E=3195

 

[AMink]

I had the same thing. I think I wasn't used to a set of tires with rubber on them!:-laf

 

[JDamron]

New Tires - truck seems to "wander" now??

I went from 265/70X17 E Michelin tires to 285/70X17 E Nitto Terra Grabbers. I have no complaints about the Nittos at all - except they are getting noisy after 20K miles - and love the extra height. It puts the engine revs in the perfect place at freeway speeds, in my opinion. But, the truck does "wander", that is, it follows road irregularities and pulls when braking. I'm a stickler for tracking correctly and will be going back to a narrower tire. A 255/75X17 would be perfect but no one makes them. I've considered a 235/80X17 E but that seems a bit extreme in the other direction. So, I'll probably go back to 265s this month.

 

[Allnew2Me]

You are probably used to the old tires which were getting thin. You are sitting up on more, flexible rubber in the tread and I think that is what you are feeling. You also lose fuel mileage with new tires compared to worn tires because of the increase in rolling resistance. If you want that old feeling back I would be willing to take those lousy Michelins off your hands for my older, better mileage tires. Really, straight across trade. :-laf

 

[gsbrockman]

You are sitting up on more, flexible rubber in the tread and I think that is what you are feeling.

Alternatively referred to as "tread squirm. " :-laf

 

[Matt400]

It looks like your new tire:

#ad


Has smaller none uniform lugs on the side rib and the center ribs have cut outs resembling the letter "M" vs the one you took off which I think may have been this one:

#ad




The original also being worn down would have had many of the sipping cuts worn off leaving a lug that has more strength and less susceptible to movement (tread squirm). I think you will get use the the feel and the new tread design will be welcome in poor weather.

 

[JCasper]

I know it's not the same tire, but my truck drives like crap now with BFG 315's on it.



The Toyo M/T's in 35's were 10X better

 

[SShafranko]

I had the AT2's for 50,000 miles now and no complaints. They are great in rain and snow. Also had the same feeling when i switched to the new tires but i think i got used to it or it just went away with wear.

 

[SShafranko]

I had the AT2's for 50,000 miles now and no complaints. They are great in rain and snow. Also had the same feeling when i switched to the new tires but i think i got used to it or it just went away with wear.

Here is a pic:

 

[EArp]

It seems to wander less now that I got my front end aligned. It still does it a little bit, but I think you guys are right about me just not being used to them yet. I put some pics of them up on this forum. I appreciate your help.

 

[Regcabguy]

I know it's not the same tire, but my truck drives like crap now with BFG 315's on it.



The Toyo M/T's in 35's were 10X better

You went to a "D" rated tire. The E rated Toyos,especially the MT's have extremely thick,stiff sidewalls. I'm running Toyo 285-75-17's AT's w/2000# on my back. My suspension is complemented by Lorenz and Carli components which certainly helps,but I'm not aware of any tire squirm or tail wag which was prevalent with the "D" rated Bridgestone AT's I had experience with in the past.

 

[JCasper]

You went to a "D" rated tire. The E rated Toyos,especially the MT's have extremely thick,stiff sidewalls. I'm running Toyo 285-75-17's AT's w/2000# on my back. My suspension is complemented by Lorenz and Carli components which certainly helps,but I'm not aware of any tire squirm or tail wag which was prevalent with the "D" rated Bridgestone AT's I had experience with in the past.

Yup, I know what I did. At the time it was a good deal, or so I thought.



Now I wish I wouldn't have done it. These will have to wear out extra quick I guess so I can replace them soon.