General Ameri trac

[bbsmith]

Replaced my 4 rear tires w/General ameritrac Friday. They feel like I am driving on ice, like the rear end is wanting to come around. I started w/ 75 lbs of air. Today I increased to 80 lbs and is as bad or worse. Went back to the tire dealer. They jacked it up and spun the wheels. Every thing appears perfect and in line. . Yet when I drive down the road, I can hardly keep it between the lines. I noticed it immediatly after I left the tire shop. Anyone ever have this problem w/ Generals?

 

[MCrossley]

Tires

I have to say that tires probably... . I know that my stock BFG's are terrible traction compared to the Michellins on my uncles they are almost non existant in the rain... . Just a thought.

 

[NLofton]

I know of 2 new Chevys that came with Generals new and lasted less than 15000 miles, I would try to get them replaced with another brand if possible. Obviously they are too soft.

 

[BigGunZ]

My truck came with them from the factory. I actually like them. Of course I have 4 of them back there but the truck rides extremely nice for a DRW. Personally, I think you're running wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much pressure in them. An "E" rated tire pumped up that far is like riding on stone tires.

 

[BigGunZ]

Run them at 40 psi and it will feel like a different animal. The decal in my door jamb calls for 60 up front, and 40 rear, for a lightly loaded DRW on Ameritracks (4 passengers, and I think less tha 600lbs of cargo) I'll check it tomorrow as it's raining right now..... I think my recollection of the weight is close, and I know my recollection of the pressure is spot on.

 

[mfrost]

I have the General Ameritrac TRs and they are working good for me. Run 65 in front and 55 rear with no load. Ride is OK. My door sticker says 65 psi for both front and rear. Thinking about going to 50 in rear. Always more cautious in the rain with a dully, but it doesn't rain here much either. . With the wear on the tires at 25K I should get 50K out of them. Rotated 3 times.

 

[MCrossley]

I have found that 65 in the front and 60 in the back on my trucks has always seemed to be the happy medium for everything...

 

[JRMora]

Replaced my 4 rear tires w/General ameritrac Friday. They feel like I am driving on ice, like the rear end is wanting to come around. I started w/ 75 lbs of air. Today I increased to 80 lbs and is as bad or worse. Went back to the tire dealer. They jacked it up and spun the wheels. Every thing appears perfect and in line. . Yet when I drive down the road, I can hardly keep it between the lines. I noticed it immediatly after I left the tire shop. Anyone ever have this problem w/ Generals?

I had the dreaded GY GSA's. All six tires had bad cracking on the sidewalls after 35k miles. I replaced them with AmeriTrac TR's. I noticed a difference right away. They felt a little squirrley. That being said, I run 55 psi empty, and now that they have a few miles on them, they are just fine. Tow with them and don't have anu problems.



How I rationalized the whole thing is that the blaocks on the Generals were much more open than the GY's, and going from a worn out GY (they had about 6/32" tread left) to a new General with about 21/32", they WERE going to feel more squirrelly.



If your dealer will swap at no cost, go for it (don't get GY's!!!!!!). If not, air down a little and get some miles on them. I have about 10,000 on mine now and they're just fine for me.



This man's 2 cents worth.



Juan

 

[KCJackson]

Just shy of 15,000 miles in almost 9 months on my AmeriTracs... rotated once at 7500. I run 62 psi up front and 45 rear. Only time they break loose is if I floor it in the rain - they have been otherwise terrific, and have a good 30-40,000 miles of tread remaining.

 

[GAllen]

I run 50 psi in the rear when towing the trailer and as low as 30 when empty. Rides good either way with no drivability issues at all.

 

[LEPage]

I'm trying a set of Cooper Discoverer HT's after two sets of the factory GY junk in 70K. So far, not to bad. They have a treadware number of 520 as compared to the GY 320 or so. Warrantied for 60K. I really wanted the Firestone Transforce HT, but was unable to find them 'till after these were already on, as I always ran Firestone Steeltex R4S on my '97 with great results.

 

[Grizzly]

My 05 came with General Am, so far so good. I run 65 front, 65 rear w/camper on, 40 w/camper off. My 95 came with Goodyear. I couldn't ask for a better tire. I replaced them at 55K only because we were going on a long trip and I didn't want to chance them with a cab-over camper. Could have got 10/15K more. If the General Am are as good as the Goodyears were, I'll be happy.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Mine came with the factory Generals. Wore tham off in 35K. Didn't even consider them as an alternative when getting new tires. Dad put them on his '03 and they'll be gone off of there at about 35-40K--not much towing from him.



On my '01 the Mastercrafts that I put on there were squishy for a little while. Don't worry about it, they will get better. Feels terrible for a little while and then they'll be fine. Don't bother your poor dealer 'cause your new tires are acting like new tires. You should have ridden with me for the first 10K I put on the 19. 5" Mich's. Talk about tread wander.



Do take the pressure down a notch or two. I pull 25K+ and only ran my Generals at 70-75 to keep the wear nice and even.

 

[keimmmo]

When I replaced the factory Michelins with Goodyears on the 01. 5 they felt squirrley at first. After 5k they felt much better. After 10k they were as stable as the Michelins. I had the same problem with Generals on the 92... and they too got better with age.



Steve Keim

 

[bbsmith]

Just wanted to thank you all for your replies. You hit the mark !!! Dropped the rears to 55 lbs. and it drives like a Vette. Again Thanks !!!!!

B... ... ... ... ... . :-laf Oo. :-laf