2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission All terrain tires on 2wd?

[TSchmitt]

My stocker 265/75R16 Michelins are done at 38,000. I picked up a screw and went to Discount Tire to get it patched, but the manager wouldn't let his guys work on the tire as it was too cracked for his comfort. I have never seen a tire with so much cracking around the edge of the tread and the sidewalls, so I probably just needed a kick in the pants to get a new set. I probably shouldn't be towing with those tires eiither.



My dilema...

The 2wd with 80psi will get stuck if it even sees any sand. Pulling a toy-hauler in the So-Cal deserts was interesting at best! Now I'm in Florida where the sand is even worse as it's so soft. I don't get off road much, but it really stinks when I do.



Does anyone use All Terrains on a 2wd?

Do they help or does traction still stink?

Anyone use the LTX A/T's?



I'll probably just go with set of LTX M/S if I can't talk myself into getting All Terrains.



T

 

[TWilkening]

One of our trucks at work is a 24 valve reg cab 2wd. It's got BFG AT's on it. While I wouldn't try to go mudding with it, it does pretty decent.

 

[BigPapa]

TSchmitt,



First of all WELCOME!



I have run Michelins all my life and every one of them has developed "cracks" in the sidewalls to some extent "prematurely". I finally talked to an official Michelin rep and he told me the same thing that a local tire dealer that more or less specializes in Michelins had told me before, that the sidewall on the Michelins flex more than other brands (therefore the better ride) and that this flexing causes these "cracks" in the very outer-most layer of rubber on the sidewall and that they are only cosmetic and in no way take away from the structural integrity of the tire.



I also have a 2WD and I have been stuck more than once on wet grass. I installed LTX A/T's and they were marginally better than the M/S's and get about half the mileage of the M/S's. The bottom line is that these trucks are heavy, especially in the front end, and if you don't have 4WD then there are just some places you won't be going.



Good luck,

Scott

 

[GFoley]

There have been several posters writing about the poor traction of the LTX M/S in 245 and 265 sizes. They came on mine but I went BFG each time I have replaced the OEMs. Once was BFG At, the second time was Mud Terrains. Yeah, it is 4WD

 

[JNailor]

I run Firestone Steeltex tires on mine. They go for 70,000 miles. I think the problem with your traction is the 80 psi. you're using. If I put in that much I can spin on wet pavement at 50 MPH just by flooring the go pedal. 80 psi. is only needed for maximum load in the bed. Trailer tongue weight should only be about 300 lbs. if you have a weight distributing hitch. When I tow I never go above 65 lbs. and when i'm solo and empty I use 40-45 lbs.

 

[Dual EE]

I run mine at 40# in the rear and it will still get stuck on level wet grass if it has no weight in the bed. I have 10 ply bridgestones.

 

[TSchmitt]

And why did I not get the 4wd?? Still can't figure that one out!



T

 

[CMckee]

i put a set of bfg land terrains on this fall, they aren't quite as good asthe mud/snows i had on before, but they seem to be lasting longer. i found the m/s to wear the center's off the treads really quick. i also get stuck in the dumbest spots, wet grass,ice at stop signs, you know what it's like! i will put 6 24x30 sidewalk stones in the back when the it snows the extra 750lb's makes a huge difference. i also only run the rears at 40psi and the fronts at 45.

 

[pgleavitt]

The last set of tires I put on my 2wd,3500 are the michelin X radial tire. You can only get them at club stores like Costco, Sams club and BJ's. They are almost Identical to a michelin M/S tread pattern and have an extra steel belt over the M/S. They are also less expensive than having Costco order the M/S for me. They keep these in stock. I bought these to replace my worn out M/S tires. Lots of tread and good in heavy rain. I run them at 55psi front and 50psi rear unless towing my 5th wheel and than it's max at 80psi. So far very good wear and better ride than the M/S tires.

 

[mmclaughlin]

My truck came with the 265 LTX's and I didn't like them at all. I would have to go into 4X4 mode in just about anything other then dry pavement. After 50k miles, they were worn enough to justify replacement, and I put on a set of Firestone 285 M/T's. These tires have been great (I'm at 90k right now, and I figure another 10-20k left on the tread). These tires have been all-around better then the other tires. They do make a little more noise then the other ones, and my milage went down a little bit, and I had to get my speedometer adjusted because of the larger diameter of the tire, but I would do it all over again! The only time I have to go into 4wd is either in deep snow or going through deep mudd. I've never tried them in the sand, so I can't help you with that, but I would suspect that they would work better then the LTX's.



Good luck!

 

[BadDNA]

I put a set of Toyo M-55 all terrains on last fall and even with all the snow here in the northeast this winter I haven't been let down yet. I've got a 98 2wd short bed.

 

[BigPapa]

My LTX M/S's have performed well this winter on packed snow and ice with 700 lb. of sand in the bed.



Scott

 

[BTowler]

I put 265/75 Bridgestone Dueler Revo's on mine, best tire I have ever had! Decent traction in what little off-road I do (mostly jobsites), plus the wet traction blows the Michelins away.