Time for Tires for my 2017 2500 Tradesman

[Markh1254]

It's time to replace the Falken tires (275/70R18E) that came on my 2017 2500 Tradesman that I purchased used. I've not been happy with the road noise that I've had with them for the past four years and now, the "lugs" (not sure if that's what their called) on the tread are starting to fall off. These tires are about 5 years old and have around 25,000 miles on them with plenty of tread left.

Been working with my local tire dealer who has always taken good care of me and he is recommending two tires. He is recommending either the Mastercraft Stratus AP, or the Cooper Discoverer HT3. They both have comparable ratings, with the Mastercraft being slightly less (~$230) for the set of four.

The problem is the Mastercraft tires appear to be both highway and off road tires, whereas the Cooper tires are highway tires. Most of the time this truck tows a camper that weighs around 10,000 lbs. But, there have been a few instances where I have been in mud and like the idea of having that aggressive tread. But that is seldom and frankly, the noise from these Falken tires is downright obnoxious - before they started to self destruct this last camping trip.

Anyone have any experience with either of these tires? Appreciate any and all input.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Diesel85]

I grew out of getting into mud and doing stupid stuff with vehicles. So I went with Cooper Evolution HT3 on my EcoD.

For winter, I bought another set of rims and put on Bridgestone Blizzak tires.

I love the library quiet ride.

Oh, and let's not forget the 2-3 mpg increase and better tread wear.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Mastercraft? Never heard them. Guessing Chinese made, no thanks. Cooper makes good tires.

 

[Tuesdak]

Cooper Discoverer HT3

A good tire and the best of the two choices. However I would recommend the AT3's over the HT3's. I am getting longer life out the very similar to the AT3 store brand only ATP II's. The mileage warranty reflects this 50K on HT3 and 60K on AT3. The AT can handle the few times I am in mud etc. better than an all highway tire. I find they ride better than the OEM tires, are quiet, don't squirm like Michelin's do, and are wearing even.

The Cooper ATP II isn't getting louder as they wear like some AT's do.

Cooper gives you 45 days to try the tires. You should take the AT3's for a spin to check the noise and go with the HT3 if you hear them over the Cummins. (I bet you don't.)

The HT3's did fine on my 1993 GM, but, I didn't like the life on my 2WD 2003 Dodge RAM. Eh, that truck quickly wore all tires I put on it yet did so evenly.

Mastercraft Stratus AP is also a 50K treadwear warranty tire.

Mastercraft?

Made by Cooper. I rolled lots of them off the parts delivery trailer of mine long ago...

 

[Topzide]

Another one to look at that I have on my 2014 are Laufenn (made by Hankook). I went with their HT as I'm not playing in the mud often. They have done well with the bit of off road and snow that I've had to deal with. They're wearing evenly and are quiet and smooth! Had the Firestone Tranforce on when made the change. They also have a 50K warranty. They do offer an AT version. Found them through https://simpletire.com/. They can also ship to your dealer and offer install packages! You can compare prices on what you've been quoted. Have brought from them prior and had no issues either time. Good outfit.

 

[AH64ID]

I have the HT3’s on my 5th wheel and they are a great trailer tire. It’s not aggressive enough of a tread for my everyday use.

I’d look at Falken AT/4’s or Cooper AT3’s.

I currently have the new Goodyear Duratrac RT’s and they are fantastic, they a bit louder in corners than the AT3’s were but the same on the highway as the OEM Trashforce (quiet).

 

[crispyboy]

Cooper makes Mastercraft tires. Cooper is now owned by Good Year. I have had Mastercraft tires on a different pickup truck and they were a good tire.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I like the Falken AT3W on my Jeep. On the Ram 3500, I liked Bridgestone highway treads for highway and fuel mileage the best, but went to Kumho AT52 to get the advantages of all-terrain and mountain/snowflake ratings.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I to I’m looking for new tires. 2022 Firestone HT at 28 k almost gone now . About 12k with 3000 lbs truck camper in the back three summers. 16 k empty truck. . I m think my summer road trips with 3k load will decrease in the next few years and will just be local stuff boondocking with the grand kids in the summer. I’m looking for an all season and not have to change too winter tires twice a year but once a year rotation. Much snow and ice here. Please help me pick a tire.

 

[slowmover]

I to I’m looking for new tires. 2022 Firestone HT at 28 k almost gone now . About 12k with 3000 lbs truck camper in the back three summers. 16 k empty truck. . I m think my summer road trips with 3k load will decrease in the next few years and will just be local stuff boondocking with the grand kids in the summer. I’m looking for an all season and not have to change too winter tires twice a year but once a year rotation. Much snow and ice here. Please help me pick a tire.

Beyond M&S

From Tire Rack:

“All-Weather tires, occasionally referred to as "Premium Traction" tires, are non-winter tires that are marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol and designed to be a year-round solution for drivers in environments that experience all four seasons, but don't receive sufficient snowfall or icy conditions to require a dedicated winter tire.”

https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/what-is-the-threepeak-mountain-snowflake-symbol

Examples:

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/tires/severe-snow-rated-3pmsf/yes/load-index/125-122

As Alaska is its own world I’d definitely start by talking with tire shop owners. Railroad, Utility, Oilfield and all sorts of contractors have your problem. May be that some have found one of the above tires suits well.

.

 

[Diesel85]

Beyond M&S

From Tire Rack:

“All-Weather tires, occasionally referred to as "Premium Traction" tires, are non-winter tires that are marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol and designed to be a year-round solution for drivers in environments that experience all four seasons, but don't receive sufficient snowfall or icy conditions to require a dedicated winter tire.”

https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/what-is-the-threepeak-mountain-snowflake-symbol

.

I've had bad experiences with all-weather tires during the winter when I have to drive through 10" of wet snow or pure ice roads, which Central New York seems to get a lot of. This past winter because it was warmer, we had lots of pure ice roads. Winter tires were a must for safety.

There a tons of times I wish the work truck had winter tires. It can take up to 3x as long to drive using the work truck with all weather tires, than it does my properly equipped EcoD with winter tires. There was a few times where I just used my truck for work, because it was a wiser choice.

Not sure how it is in Alaska, but I can imagine you could get away with all weathers due it being much colder and the snow actually provides traction.

 

[AH64ID]

I to I’m looking for new tires. 2022 Firestone HT at 28 k almost gone now . About 12k with 3000 lbs truck camper in the back three summers. 16 k empty truck. . I m think my summer road trips with 3k load will decrease in the next few years and will just be local stuff boondocking with the grand kids in the summer. I’m looking for an all season and not have to change too winter tires twice a year but once a year rotation. Much snow and ice here. Please help me pick a tire.

Falken Wildpeak AT/4 or Goodyear Duratrac RT’s.

Both are excellent 3PMSF tires that will serve you well.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Thanks John I value your advice

 

[Axel]

I live in Canada and we have 8 months of winter. My all time favourite are the good year wrangler duratrac.
Best grip in snow and ice and I keep them all year.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Thanks Axel good to know

 

[AH64ID]

I live in Canada and we have 8 months of winter. My all time favourite are the good year wrangler duratrac.
Best grip in snow and ice and I keep them all year.

I’ve never heard anything bad. I’m hoping the RT version earns the same reputation since it has a mileage warranty.

 

[Grumpy8811]

tellya all one thing I know about tires... you either use a jack of all trades tires ( AT) and its not good at any one thing
or you use an application specific tire and its really good at one thing and not so good at everything else.

I generally use AT's even though I could get better use out a highway tread as I see little in the way of dirt, let alone mud or snow but I like the way they look
Over the years I have used BFG ATs which are noisy but agreesive, GY Wrangler Trail Runners which I liked but are discontinued, GY Wrangler kevlars which where more of an agressive highway tread than a real AT even thogh they are labelled as AT's, they held up well but are expensive as all get out,
and Yokohma Geolanders which hold up well but are better suited for highway than the other terrains they advertise themselves for.

So I am one of those people who can't advise you what to use as they all seem to be a tradeoff..

 

[Turbo Terry]

I see Goodyear durtrac come regular and rt (rough terrain) Kevlar Side wall bit of a thread design difference . With are rough pot hole roads and frost heaves and ice ruts I think. I will go with the rt as our tires take a beating

 

[AH64ID]

The RT’s are the new ones that I have and AFIK the only version with a mileage warranty.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Yes I see that. Lots of info on the internet about them.