Truck Tires

[LegalEagle]

I have 53,000 on my Michelin tires (275 70 18) on my 2016 F250. I would estimate about 80% of those miles are pulling the fifth wheel. When do you begin to feel the tow vehicle tires should be replaced? Mine have been rotated regularly, and still have tread, although it is beginning to obviously be wearing down. We are planning a trip to the Pacific northwest in May, and another 2-3,000 miles of trips this summer. I am beginning to feel it's time to replace the truck tires before these trips, because of the high towing miles they have on them. And if I do, it seems many no longer consider Michelin's the best on the market. Any ideas about Firestone, Bridgestone, or Cooper's? I am just trying to get a sense of the best product for my money before I go and drop $1,000.

[Magnolia Tom]

I just replaced tires on my truck. I had BFG which were great...I got over 65K miles on them. I went with Michelins for the replacements. They do ride nice and quiet. Just hope to get similar mileage from them. I've heard Michelin isn't what they used to be as well but I still buy them.

[Midnightmoon]

I wouldn't be concerned with how many towing miles your tires have on them. As long as they have been properly inflated and have suffered no damage, they should be just fine. If you are getting to the point that you are no longer comfortable with the amount of tread you have left, then I would certainly go ahead and replace them.

I am one of those that no longer feel that Michelin is worth the cost after a sidewall failure and zero help from Michelin customer service. I started buying Bridgestone/Firestone products and am very happy with that decision.

[namusmc65]

I have 50,000 miles on my Michelins and watching them closely. I thought I would get more mileage. Mine have been rotated and balanced every 5,000 miles as well as most of my mileage is as a daily driver. However, I only got 25,000 miles out of the tires that came on my Ram 2500. So I guess the Michelins are doing pretty good. I am going to be watching for tire sales on Michelins.

[AKRUEBBE]

I know of owners that have Hankook and swear by them...........never have had experience with them. I've always been a Michelin fan.

[jbrnigan]

I've never had a problem with Michelin's...or Toyo's, or Bridgstone's (road or street tires). I have had problems with Goodyear's, Continental's and Firestone's. Others have different experiences and opinions. There are just too many design and performance variables for me to make really informed choices, so I just stay with brands I'm comfortable with and Michelin's are my go to choice.

[oldmanAZ]

Continental Contitrac TR load range E

I've had the best mileage etc. with above in the 350,000+miles I've had my truck. For the first 2+years with my truck, I delivered TT and 5th wheel trailers, driving ~100,000mi per year. I've tried other brands (BFG, Goodyear, Firestone), but not Michelin (had a problem years ago with Michelin on a passenger car that soured me on them).

My Contitrac TR are a 'highway' tire IMO. Their tread is not aggressive, but is labeled as an 'all season' tread, However, for snow etc. a more aggressive tread might be a good idea.

[jbrnigan]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Continental Contitrac TR load range E

Excellent example of differing opinions and experiences - my Super Duty was delivered with Contitracs and a vibration the day I drove it off the lot. Neither the dealer nor an independent tire shop could balance the tires (road force, rotate tire on rim, rotate front to rear etc) Ford authorized replacing the Continental's with Michelins and the problem was fixed......go tell. Left everyone who worked on it scratching their heads - LOL

[DonaandDon]

I know their not the same but..... If NASCAR believes in Goodyear, then so do I..

[JFlightRisk]

I'm also a fan of Michelin's. Replaced GY Wranglers at 59000 miles, and the mild "pull" to the right disappeared. Now with 30000 miles on the Defender LTX's, there's still 7/32" of tread left. Since retiring I'm not driving 50 miles a day, so they'll last quite a bit longer than the usual three year replacement schedule (hopefully).

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

Excellent example of differing opinions and experiences - my Super Duty was delivered with Contitracs and a vibration the day I drove it off the lot. Neither the dealer nor an independent tire shop could balance the tires (road force, rotate tire on rim, rotate front to rear etc) Ford authorized replacing the Continental's with Michelins and the problem was fixed......go tell. Left everyone who worked on it scratching their heads - LOL

I totally agree about 'differing opinions and experiences' and I'm left scratching my head. I've never had a balance or any other issue with Contitrac TRs. Norty1 has a truck very similar to mine and said he had a problem with Continental, too.

My truck came with Continental's and I was skeptical. I had never bought those tires in the past and expected the worst, but they were great. I did try BFG, Goodyear, and Firestone next but had problems with each of those so went back to Contitrac TRs and have stayed with them.

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

I know their not the same but..... If NASCAR believes in Goodyear, then so do I..

My worst tire experience (sidewall bulges, 2 tires replaced under warranty) was with Goodyear Silent Armour.

[AKRUEBBE]

My 2017 RAM 3500 DRW came with NEXEN TIRE
ROADIAN HTX RH5. I wasn't going to go out and purchase new tires on a brand new truck but I will say they are very good riding tires. Have towed my FW about 7,400 miles with a total of 14,323 miles on them and they still look new. For an inexpensive tire I feel they are holding up very well. Made in Korea I believe.

[jasum]

I've had problems with the Continental Contra trac tires that came on my 06 F350. Had vibration in tires at around 32K miles. Continental had me take truck to Tire Kingdom to have tires looked at. Tread separation is what they found. Continental offered me a 20% discount on new tires. I declined and bought Michelins.
Had vibration in Michelins from day one. Tire Kingdom balanced three times and then replaced all 4 tires. Still same vibration.
Went to an auto care place and had tires Roadforce checked. 2 of the 4 were out of round. Cost me 100.00 to find that out.
Told T.K no more Michelins. Asst. manager agreed to get B.F. Goordrich tires. They were on back order forever. He left T.K. Never did get tires.
Tire Kingdom suks!!

Thinking about looking into Toyo or some brand like them on this truck.

Someone has to make a decent dependable tire right??

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by jasum

I've had problems with the Continental Contra trac tires that came on my 06 F350. Had vibration in tires at around 32K miles. Continental had me take truck to Tire Kingdom to have tires looked at. Tread separation is what they found. Continental offered me a 20% discount on new tires. I declined and bought Michelins.
Had vibration in Michelins from day one. Tire Kingdom balanced three times and then replaced all 4 tires. Still same vibration.
Went to an auto care place and had tires Roadforce checked. 2 of the 4 were out of round. Cost me 100.00 to find that out.
Told T.K no more Michelins. Asst. manager agreed to get B.F. Goordrich tires. They were on back order forever. He left T.K. Never did get tires.
Tire Kingdom suks!!

Thinking about looking into Toyo or some brand like them on this truck.

Someone has to make a decent dependable tire right??

I had a good friend that was in the automotive business and he swore by "Tire Truing". Most new tires are not exactly true. He would have any new tires he purchased trued. They do that by shaving the surface of the tire ever so slightly until they become perfectly round. Could only be 32nds but a huge improvement in the ride and performance. Don't know if there are any tire outfits that still do that. I believe heavy truck tire dealers may still do that!

[jasum]

You would think you should be able to just buy decent tire right??

[camjam]

Originally Posted by DonaandDon

I know their not the same but..... If NASCAR believes in Goodyear, then so do I..

I felt the same way until they started making them in china. the tires nascar use are made in the usa.

[JeremiahM]

Worst truck tires ever for us were Goodyear wranglers, have had great luck with Michelin, Cooper AT3, and PO put Hancook Dynapro on my current rig, they've got about 35-40k on them and still have a lot of tread, perform very well towing, and look good to me, will probably go with the Dynapro again after these, never would have bought them myself, but am a believer now

[Riverman]

I like Cooper truck tires, not the off road AT tires though.

Put a set of Centramatic balancers on your tires, and you will never have to balance them again.

[Builder Bob]

Summer travel can be tough on old tires. I don’t think it’s worth the risk running them longer. I have had three sets of Firestone Transforce HT tires on my one ton dually with no problems at all. They run a long cool life and get as good fuel mileage as one could ever expect. They are very quiet and smooth riding in my experience.
I am about to install a set on my F350 which has 53k on original factory tires. Definitely going back to Transforce HT tires.

[SouthCo]

I put Cooper Discoverer AT3s on my GMC 2500 diesel a few years ago and I really like them. They are wearing well and are so quiet. Not just quiet for an AT tire but quiet period. I don’t hear them at all so far.