Best Tires to Purchase

[rjrkihap]

I need help finding a set of tires that will last. Currently I am getting around 25,000 per set of 4 tires. I rotate and balance every 5,000 miles, don't lead foot from stop signs, and stay within the speed limit (can't afford to drive any faster with diesel at these prices). I've had the stock Michilins, Wild Country, Dean Wildcats, and now I'm running Toyo M55's (and still having problems).



There are lots of hills and turns in the city (if that makes a difference). Any help would be appreciated.



Thanks



Ron

 

[Bug Out]

You've had good luck so far.

I just hoping to make it to where I have to go without blowouts. . All kidding aside, I'll be pleasantly surprised if I get 25,000 out of my trailer tires.



Now if your talking truck( in the RV forum) tires, then 25,000 is not much. I get near 40,000 on average. My stock factory tires at 25,000 are good for another 15-20,000.

 

[JamieWood]

Try Firestone Steeltex i've hade great luck with them

 

[Bug Out]

Firestones are good.

That reminded me i bought a 2000 CTD 2500 4x4 in reno used. It had firestone steeltx and I drove them almost 45,000 on top of what ever was on them. . they are costly if i remember, but damn good tires.

 

[MHalloran]

Ron, what don't you like about the Toyo M55 tire? I need tires also and I heard these last a long time. Mike

 

[CMBOld]

Me too Ron, got Coopers now and they seem to be doing well. I like the 255 -85 size and will probably stick with it. I've noticed my Coopers are tapped for studs, haven't seen that on the other brands, moot point though 'cause we can't use em' in our state anyway. Mike

 

[JDougherty]

my choice was for the pep boys futura dakota tire in the 285 size. i have put these tire thru there paces, really i have towed over 15k, had more then 3k in the bed... . basically tortured these tires. i currently have 20k on them and suspect i will get another 10k out of them, best part is they are under warranty until 45k... . looks like a discount on my next set.

 

[dewdo]

I have used Michelins on both my family car and the Ram 3500. I replaced the tires on the truck after 65,000 miles with about the same on the car. On the truck I use the load range E (10 ply) it is a dually. I bought them through Costco where the service has been great.



I had a set on the car with about 10,000 miles on them when my wife hit a rock and wiped out the front tire. I went back to Costco and they didn't carry the same tread pattern anymore so they installed a complete new set so all the tread patterns matched. They did it at no charge.



Dewdo from the other Washington

 

[jcarey]

Ron, have you checked for uneven tire wear pattern? 25K sounds low.



Jim

 

[cruiser_2]

HI ther ron, I use BFG longtrail T/A's and get about 80,000 out of them. Lots of highway driving, but haven't had any major troubles. Rotate and Balance about every 7000 to 10000 miles. On my 4th set of these tires. have no complaints

 

[rjrkihap]

Thanks for the input. I purchased the Toyo M55's because they were supposed to be the best wearing tire available. They are 265/75 r16 Load E. I had them siped (center section only) to help reduce heat inorder to extend tread life. As they are now, I will probably get my usual 25,000 miles out of them (based on wear at my current 8,000 miles).



As for tread wear, I watch my tires very carefully. My allignment is right on, my front end is tight and I rotate at 5,000 miles or less. I even check tire pressure weekly.



Since some of you are getting 40,000+, I am wondering if my stop and go driving on hilly roads is the problem. The truck also goes through brakes. Maybe I need to rethink my driving style???



The Toyo's are probably wearing the best of all the tires I have run, but I sure would like to get more than 25,000 out of a set (at $700 a set of 4).



Thanks



Ron

 

[Bug Out]

Brake problem.

I know whats up if your front brakes are going quick. the rears are never used, on 10-20% if no load is in the bed.



You can look under the rear and see a brake adjuster rod that applies more brakes as the rear goes down with loads.



I cut the rod and welded in a adjustment rod ( turnbuckle) and got much more braking and less front wear on my 2000 CTD 4x4 quad the "X" (&*^%&%&^ wife has. . Bad subject. . Sorry.



You just have to be more carefull when wet or icee though.

 

[RVPILOT]

tre mileage

I am currently running Michelin L T X M/S 235/85 on my 96 dually, 140,000 miles and looking forward to 150,000. Not down to the wear bars yet, I think they will make the 150k mark, Stormy. ( not a Michelin dealer )

 

[GOTSOOT]

the road composition has a lot to do with wear. ! Geographically the roads use different materials, some are not as aggressive on your wear than others. $0. 02

 

[WestTN]

You said you check your tire pressures weekly, but didn't say what pressure you run. I run mi Michelin's at 60psi all aound with more pressure when carrying the camper. My original tires lasted 89,124 miles and were changed to avoid hydroplaning in the wet. /they still had about 1/8" of tread left.



Siping allows additional traction in poor conditions, but it does not extend available miles on the tire. They will wear faster, no slower.

 

[kelly4463]

HAY GUYS dollar for dollar michelin's are your best value. iam just a guy that works at sears auto service part time. spend your money wisely!! thay will last...

 

[Utah Willie]

A recent trip to Alaska had my Maxxis tires, with too little mileage on them, show enough wear to have me buy tires in Homer where they put on Toyos. I had stem troubles on the duals as the extension hoses shook the rubber stems (high pressure stems) until they cracked. I had another tire man in Delta Junction replace a leaker and asked what he thought of Toyos. His answer was that he used only Toyos and that they seem to be a favorite of the local Alaska Highway users. I have since had all wheels fitted with steel stems.

 

[Grizzly]

I like Dunlop Rover best. I get the best mileage from them than any other brand. Make sure you have the proper air pressure at all times.

 

[jjordan1]

I have Michelin on my 2500. The clock shows 68,900 miles . I will probably get another

3000 out of them. I leave the air pressure up as if im towing,60 front & 75 rear. Really getting good wear on them.

 

[JRMora]

Since some of you are getting 40,000+, I am wondering if my stop and go driving on hilly roads is the problem. The truck also goes through brakes. Maybe I need to rethink my driving style???



Thanks



Ron

My '97 went through brakes like crazy, my '04 hasn't been so bad. I assume you tow (this is the towing forum, right?), have you considered an exhaust brake? I hardly have to use my brakes at all when not towing (still need to remember to press the brake pedal for lights, eh?). It's an expensive option (about $1000 for my setup), but it really makes for a huge gain in braking power.



Just a thought.



Juan