I have a COMMENT and a QUESTION.
COMMENT:
I know I'll hear about this, but I swear on the heads of my dogs, all eight of 'em, I have been running Goodyear Wrangler GS-A 265/75R16's, load rating D, all four at 65 lbs. since new, 12/95, on a '96 4x4 2500. They've been rotated every 6-7000 miles and balanced once. They now have 54,000 miles and look like there's maybe another 8-10,000 left. Tread wear is even all around. True, this truck doesn't ever pull much except a few dogs and me most of the time but it does go off road now and then. The tires are smooth and quiet on the highway, pretty good in the wet, although having barely survived a 75 mph head-on a few years ago on the PA aaargh Turnpike, I don't explore the outer limits of the envelope often. In the snow they remind me of drag slicks on Mazola oil, even in FWD. Overall I'd say I got my money's worth out of these tires. OK, that's the comment, now the segue into the question. Due to sitting out in the New Mexico sun the left front tire has developed a surface crack about an inch out from the rim all the way around. This is all the excuse I need to get NEW TIRES.
COMMENT:
I always figured I would replace the Goodfellas with BFG's when the time came, probably because I get Four Wheeler magazine and BFG is always the first eye-catching double-spread ad in the book. Besides, all the Baja racers win with BFG,s, so they say, and they usually get rave reviews in the tire tests. Although who knows, maybe the tire tester expeditions are sometimes made into memorable events by being obliquely supported in the field by BFG with outrageous quantities of food, drink, plush lodgings, and gorgeous women. I don't know, but it crossed my mind. Then I read somewhere here in the forums that some of you all only got 15 or so thousand miles out of your BFG's,and they throw rocks at your mirror paint jobs, so now I'm rethinking. My second choice would be Michelin LTX A/T's 235/85R16's on stock rims, Load rated E, 32. 0 in. diameter. That's what the ranchers around here run on their trucks, and they've said narrower is better. 9. 7 in. for the 235's vs 10. 9 in. for the 265's. Handle better on the road and go better in the mud and snow, they say. Some of these guys have been at it for a lonnng time, too. Like 50-60 years of riding the ranch roads in their pick-ups, after the horse gave way to the pick-up; mud, snow, gravel, dirt, you name it. And we're talking significant ranches - 50, 100, 200 sections, a section being a square mile for those of you who are city slickers or weren't in the militia. Just reminded myself of a very funny sheep joke, but out of deference to Powerwagon's children, I will restrain myself from publishing it here.
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So I'm soliciting opinions based on real world experience with BFG's and Michelins. Bear in mind, Michelin did invent the radial tire, or so they say, which does not necessarily imply that they remain the leader in the field. From the standpoint of my personal experience, we have a '92 Chivvy van with 95,000 miles on it, the last 35,000 of which have been on Michelins that look like they'll easily go another 35,000. But that's a different animal for sure.
So what's the concensus? BFG, Michelin, or?
P. S. I DON'T want Dunlops.
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96 2500 E-Cab, 4x4, 5sp/3. 54, NRA sticker, etc.
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
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