Buying new tires.. What do you prefer?

[Cummins Corvette]

Ok. It is time for some new tires seeing as how the old ones let me go spinning down the freeway and into a wall in the last big snow storm. My questions are these: What brands do you prefer? How well do they make the truck handle? How well are they wearing (how long do you expect them to last)? I am thinking of getting some load range E tires, but I seldom haul anything. The max I ever haul is three motorcycles in the bed, and a 4500# 21’ TT at the same time. I want the E’s for the stiffer sidewall and better wear characteristics (At least I think that they do??). Do the E range tires get flats less? I appreciate and value your opinions and thank you for your time!!

 

[Randy J]

Do you want larger tires, or stock size? I have 285's on mine, and went with the BFGoodrich. If I were going with 245's or even 265's, I would have gotten the Michelin A/T - they're load range E. By the way, the 285 Goodrich's have a load capacity about the same as the 265 Michelins. Although I had good luck with an off brand (Parnelli Jones - made by Kelly Springfield), about 80,000 miles, I'd recommend staying away from off brands. The next set of off brand tires I tried, I took off after 100 miles.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Randy J

Do you want larger tires, or stock size? I have 285's on mine, and went with the BFGoodrich. If I were going with 245's or even 265's, I would have gotten the Michelin A/T - they're load range E. By the way, the 285 Goodrich's have a load capacity about the same as the 265 Michelins. Although I had good luck with an off brand (Parnelli Jones - made by Kelly Springfield), about 80,000 miles, I'd recommend staying away from off brands. The next set of off brand tires I tried, I took off after 100 miles.

I totally agree with Randy. I have the larger BFG AT/KO's on my Landcruiser, they are great in the snow and not that bad on the road. I have the Michelins on the Dodge. The BFG's are better looking and I think the Michelins are a little better tire with a little better ride and will last longer. I would go with the "E" rated Michelin AT's on your truck.

 

[Ramafid]

I just went with a store brand tire called Futura Dakotas made by Cooper tires and sold at Pep Boys. They look almost like BFG AT's and only cost 89. 99 each. I watched them balance the tires and they only took . 25-2 ounces per side. Pretty good for a 285/75 tire. I only have 1K miles on them but I'm very happy with my purchase. They have a 50K mile warranty so they should last. Hope this helps. They also ride alot better than the Michelins.

 

[DavidD]

You dont mention where you live? what kind of driving conditions? what do you tow? Dave

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

If you have a Discount Tire Company nearby, look into the Goodyear Wrangler ATS. Superb wet, snow & ice tracton, yet designed for a smooth, quiet ride on dry pavement as well. I have the 285's on my truck. Discount Tire Company beat the Goodyear Tire Center's price significantly, and they give a 60K mile treadwear warranty. My memory is failing me here; either the Goodyear Company did not give a treadwear warranty, or else it was only 50K. Between this & 2 other trucks, this is my third purchase of these tires and I can't recommend them highly enough.

 

[The patriot]

I went for the Michelins because I liked the tires that came with it. Lasted a good long time, (60K + miles)and were still good in the rain when I replaced them.

We dont get too much snow here, but the little we did, they were allright.

Eric

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I've used Cooper discoverer LT in 255-85-16 for over 100,000 miles. they last maybe 30-35K under my type of use, but the softer rubber has the advantage for traction. They work in dry pavement, rain, snow, ice, mud here in Nevada. They are relatively narrow and tall, good with stock 6. 5" wide rims, or 7" wide aftermarket wheels. No tire is perfect, but these have been a good compromise for me.

 

[LSMITH]

I have been running the BFG A/T KO's in 285/75/16 for the last 65K miles. The first set went 50K miles with probably another 10K left in them. They are quiet, drive well, and traction is very good in all but deep slush (nothing works in slush that I am aware of) and really sticky mud. I am not willing to get the tire speed necessary to get them to clean well in sticky mud so it is possible that they do OK in sticky mud, seems to me that the torque of the Cummins and sudden traction would be really bad on parts. I have never had a truck tire that compares to the BFG's for all around use. They will go back on it when these are worn out.

 

[Hammer]

The nicest two tires I've seen in a while two of our members have,,Interco TRXUS 285/75R16 (Oasis-3) and Cooper Discoverer ST 265/75R16(Diesel Dale),both are a mildly agressive tread and are available in load range E,,Oasis-3 is sold on the TRXUS and has punished them well(off road,pulling and dyno) drop him note if you've got a question on them,,Now the Coopers are made, according to their rep,are made specfically for our trucks,,They are a harder compound,with more bite and stiffer sidewalls designed for eliminating the uneven wear patterns and longevity,,Now I myself after dring Dales truck like the feel,they seem to hold well on wet roads and tow nicely,,He does not like the stiffness and is switching to the LT version,,Pro Comp makes a nice tire also,but none load rated in E. .

 

[DennyDay]

Tires

If you go with Goodyears, you'll never be able to keep 'em balanced.

Denny

 

[ccoleman]

BFG's 285-75-16s



Great in the Oregon sand and even better in our wet and frozen winters. Only thing better is the same tire with carbide studs.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Thanks for the info!! I really want to stay with the 245/75-16 because they wear evenly with 65 psi in the front and 50 psi in the rear. That much pressure gives the truck very little rolling resistance and better mileage. On my old truck, (with 16x6. 5 rims also) I ran two sets of Dunlop radial rovers. One set of 285/75-16's, and one of 265/75/16's, The 265 wore out in the middle too soon- even at low pressure. The 285's wear patterns looked terrible, even with VERY low pressure (35 psi in the front). The mileage and handling with those pressures sucked. I think that the newer trucks have wider rims and larger tires work better on them than on mine. Another reason is that I don't want to have to bother with recalibrating the speedo for bigger tires. I am primarily concerned with handling, snow traction, and tire life.

 

[Hummin Cummins]

I'll have to agree with Hammer. Interco's TRXUS are a tamer version of the Super Swamper TSL. I've run the swampers in a 44x18. 5x16. 5 on my 78 chevy and got 40,000 out of them. Not to mention if ya want traction, they throw mudchunks the size of softballs

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The 255-85-16 wears evenly with stock 6. 5" rim or 7" rim. The 285 tire needs a wider rim like 8" to wear evenly. My Coopers are C rated = 3000 lb and I run 56 lb front and 52 rear (near empty of load) or 56-58 loaded with trailer.

 

[Dave MacArthur]

Does Michelin make the 265/75 in load range E? I've looked but never seen them yet. I have the Dunlop Radial Rover A/T in 255/85. Have about 17K on them now. I really like this size but the Dunlops are wearing way too much in the center (I rotate and check pressures regularly). They handle/ride pretty good. Not quite as good as the OEM Michelins.

 

[Cooker]

Dave,

It looks like the LTX M/S is available in a 265/75 in load range E

 

[bombero]

I am also in the market for a new set of tires. Was thinking on going one size larger from a265 to a 285. What is this going to do to my odometer??

 

[LSMITH]

Guys, I am running the factory wheels with 285's and they wear absolutely FLAT. I have not had a problem at all. I run 60 PSI front and 50 rear. Tire temps stay cool and no wear problems at all, over 50K miles out of the last set and they were not gone. My wheels are the steel ones, I assume they are 6. 5" wide. Specific tires can have problems, but it is not a rule that 285's will not wear flat and long on the factory wheels. My tires are load range D, and are rated to carry more weight than an E rated 245, look at the load capacity of a tire rather than the letter rating.



bombero, you will have a 3-6% error in your odometer and speedo. Tires from different companies are slightly different heights, so there really is no hard and fast rule for how far off it will be. Get the height of the tire you plan on buying and calculate the difference. Hope this helps.

 

[Pit Bull]

You could look at the Michelin XPS 235/75/16 load range E. These are the real heavy duty ones that are retreadable. They are a commercial grade tire. Run $159 each at Sams Club. These will last 80K to 100K miles.