New Tires

[mpwalker]

Can anyone provide me feedback on the General Tire Ameritrac, 235/80 R17 tire. Have 61,000 on the original Generals that came on the truck and need to replace all six of them soon. Research indicates they may be a good tire for a reasonable price for my truck that is used for pulling a 5iver as full time RVer.

They seem to have pretty good ratings but have yet to meet someone that have them on their truck.

 

[JRMora]

Can anyone provide me feedback on the General Tire Ameritrac, 235/80 R17 tire. Have 61,000 on the original Generals that came on the truck and need to replace all six of them soon. Research indicates they may be a good tire for a reasonable price for my truck that is used for pulling a 5iver as full time RVer.

They seem to have pretty good ratings but have yet to meet someone that have them on their truck.

I'll give you my feedback - they are absolutely terrible IMHO. I know you made 60k miles, but I had put on a set as replacements and I got only 35,000 miles on them before the wear bars were showing. Then one of them started losing chunks of tread.



I looked at Michelins (these are my third set of tires), but ended up going with Firestone Transforce AT's (they also make a HT version). I wanted a more agressive tread than Michelin offered as I recently moved to the snow country.



The firestones balance with almost no weight. They ride very smooth and have very little road noise. They have also been a godsend in the snow - I rarely have to use 4x4 with these (not bad for an empty dually). I only have about 5,000 miles on them (and I haven't towed yet with them), but they look to be a good value. $1100 out the door mounted, balanced, with a full road hazard warranty.



Juan

 

[B.G. Smith]

My truck came with the same tire but I only have about 10,000 miles on them. My travel trailer came with the same tire in 16", got about 10,000 miles on them and the tread camo off one and did some minor damage to the trailer brake system, I had to drive about ten miles on the Interstate befor I found a place to change the tire, it never went flat. Sent it back to Mfg. and they denied any responsibility, said tire was run without proper inflation or overloaded or both, neither of which was the case. I replace all of them with Michelins. bg

 

[PJay9]

I have 2004 Dually 2WD and after getting 55K on the original GY's I went to Toyo Open Country A/T and had them siped as well. So far I have about 12k on them and they look good, handle well, ride nicely. I carry a 11' Lance, truck feels better with these tires than the GY's... more stable feeling... I am testing at running at different pressures with camper... down to 65# all around and it seems fine, started at 80 max pressure and working my way down... now i get a good empty and loaded driveability. I got them at Les Schawb here in the NW, also I cahnged my shocks... I suspect that had something to do with the sway and other characteristics... the OEm shocks were soft on the tube compared, I tested them at the dealer when they came off... big difference.



Don't forget the shocks... they do things!!!



The tires and shocks cost $1500 for six and switching to 19. 5 wheels and tires would have been about $4700... so i decided to live with the 17's



I am Pleased withthe Toyo's The siping works, wet road, light and no break free on rears at stop light anymore! NICE!!



BTW, I saw a new dually with a bigger tire on a 17" and the distance between tires looked like it would take a chain if Had to use them. Don't remember the size, mine are 235 80R/17



hope this helps! PJ

 

[Cattletrkr]

The Generals are garbage. I got 35K out of my factory set and then went to 19. 5's. For whatever reason, shortly after I put on the 19. 5's, dad put a set of Generals on his '03 3500 DRW. He'll maybe get 40K, a lot of those miles are empty.



They are reasonably priced, but you're better off spending more. You'll more than get your money's worth out of something else.

 

[Andersonville]

I got 67K out of the Ameritracs and went to the Transforce HT's. I have 15k on them and am very pleased. I tow RV's commercially. The Transforces needed very little weight to balance,are quiet and ride better than the Ameritracs. They have been good on snow too, so far. $804 for 6.

 

[Mrudolph]

I currently have 51,000 miles on my General Ameritrac's with plenty of tread left, I will probably get another set if these wear out.

 

[LJFiler]

I had a set of general that came on a new cattle trailer. After one year the tread starting peeling of three of the tires. The trailer got used about three times and sits in a shop with a concrete floor so no weather damage. IMHO they are JUNK.