2004 Dually Tire Recommendations

[BNedset]

I am currently in need of new tires for my 04 Dually. I had a tread separation (road alligator blow-out) this past weekend, steer tire. The whole tread section ended up over the upper control arm but no damage to the brake line or ABS It has been a long time since I have purchased tires and am looking for long life recommendations. Long story short, I have 193,000 miles on the truck, and still running Goodyear Wranglers. I had 2 sets replaced due to sidewall cracking. Last tires purchased were about 1999 or 2000. Can you say sticker shock!!!

In the past, I have run Michelin AT's and really liked them, about 95 - 100,000 miles a set. I have done a little review reading on the new LTX M/S2 and A/T2 tires and don't have a warm fuzzy feeling about them. About 95% of the use of the truck is on weekends, highway miles, (about 500 miles every weekend from May to November, parked winters) plus Florida trips, very little city driving. Currently I am not doing any towing but maybe next year, a 3,000 lb boat trailer, with almost zero tongue weight, a couple of times a summer.

My current thought is Bridgestone, but the price is a bit steep. From what I have read, they are high mileage tires, so I might just have to bit the bullet.

It has been a long time since I have have posted on TDR.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Bob

 

[6speed]

First set of Michelins I got 150k, but I rotated every 5k. I know have 110k on the rears and 15K on the fronts. One separated so just replaced both. It depends on how and where you drive. Mine does nothing but highway and I gross about 26-27k when towing and towing is all it does. I work 6 miles from home so don't drive it except when camping.

 

[BNedset]

Thanks 6speed. Are you currently running current Michelin M/S2 or A/T2 tires? I noticed in your bio that your running 3.73 gearing. How well do they work with that kind of weight? I have been thinking of swapping to that same ratio, have even thought about adding a GV. I like the idea of a bit better fuel mileage and reduced engine wear. Use to haul a 44 ft Gooseneck car trailer, going down the road at 24,000. I ran D3 for several years with a SS/BA 65 HEMI Coronet.

 

[6speed]

I have both versions as the rears were the last of that style, the ones with 110K on them. 3.73 does well enough for me. I don't use 6th when towing. That's why I put the GV in. Tow in 5th and overdrive it. Keeps the transmission cooler and the RPMs were I need them. 65-68 with
2100-2200. Its really nice when I do drive without trailer. Overdrive 6th and doing 78-80 at 1700 RPM's. Working in NHRA tech I may have tech'd you somewhere. I have worked the Columbus Nat's when they were there, Bowling Green and Indy several times. Work would not allow me to travel much the last 12 years, so all I do now is D2. But come 29 Sep I'll retire and maybe I can do more races. Have a few friends that do a lot of the national events and they say I wouldn't like it. I worked the Nat's a lot during the early 2000's. Just about everything east from Chicago to Dallas. It was fun then, but I don't think so now.