Donuts?

Rat4go · June 24, 2010

Hey all,

Time for tires again. Truck has had BFG AT's and Goodyear MT/R on it, and I've had a ton of BFG AT's on other trucks.

BFG's were OK...lasted about 55k or so, but after about 25k, they start to be kinda crappy in the rain or in 1-2" of heavy, wet snow.

Goodyear MT/R's were pretty good, too, but a bit noisier than the BFG's (expected....actually they were a TON quieter than I expected)

What I want....

a tire that is quieter than the MT/R
One that maintains good traction for the life of the tire in dry/wet/snow unlike the BFG
one that is still capable off road (no mud bogging....but some of the 2-tracks I find myself on can get sketchy)
One that doesn't throw a ton of stones (BFG's did this)
One that will be happy on my unloaded 2003 4x4 CCSB D/A for 80% of it's life and just as happy towing 10K worth of 5w for 20% of it's life.
One that can be ballanced without 10lb of weights and stay ballanced for more than 1000 miles.
One that will give me good wear
One that won't kill my MPG
One that's available in 285/75R16E

I know opinions on tires are like opinions on oil types/brands/etc, but I'd like to know if folks have good experiences with certain tire brands/models for the same types of use that I do. Have the rubes on tire rack commenting on tires that I'm interested in are driving Toy Taco's or Jeep Liberty's or some other non HD vehicle.

Input?

Thanks!

chakis24 · June 25, 2010

no problems with my nittos. and theyre balanced with very little weight.

how long did the mtr's last? were they the new ones or older ones? impressions? im looking for a mud tire for my next set.

Patrick H · June 25, 2010

I run BFG's on my trucks and my Jeep. Have for years.

That said, I've heard and seen good things about the Hankook's.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/t...ynaPro+ATM+RF10

jro909 · June 25, 2010

ran BFGs for a long time then recently took a crack at general grabbers...so far so good besides the noise but whatever they are meaty and delicious

Shaners · June 25, 2010

I've been very impressed with Michelin LTX M/S. They are not an agressive looking tire, but do extremely well in adverse conditions. Also they are quiet, balance out well and last a very long time.

Blue_Z71 · June 25, 2010

My Maxxis Buckshots were quieter than my MT/R's. Lasted a long time too, considering I had them on a 2500

foorchevys · June 25, 2010

I just bought a set of cooper discoverer S/T so far I am very pleased, the price was right, the reviews were good. I stated looking around at other HD trucks in my area and there were alot that are running them, everyone I talked to was very pleased, they come with more tread than BFG and Toyo and they are american made big plus in my book.

kawtoy_77 · June 25, 2010

I run BFG's on my trucks and my Jeep. Have for years.
That said, I've heard and seen good things about the Hankook's.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/t...ynaPro+ATM+RF10

+1 I have the Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10's, and I love them! 12k on em, and they still look new.

hockeypro1411 · June 25, 2010

My vote goes to Cepek Fun Country II Radials. You won't find a better performing A/T in the mud/snow or pavement. You also may not find an A/T that is quite that expensive, either...

CTM · June 26, 2010

Hey all,

Time for tires again. Truck has had BFG AT's and Goodyear MT/R on it, and I've had a ton of BFG AT's on other trucks.

BFG's were OK...lasted about 55k or so, but after about 25k, they start to be kinda crappy in the rain or in 1-2" of heavy, wet snow.

Goodyear MT/R's were pretty good, too, but a bit noisier than the BFG's (expected....actually they were a TON quieter than I expected)

What I want....

a tire that is quieter than the MT/R

One that maintains good traction for the life of the tire in dry/wet/snow unlike the BFG

one that is still capable off road (no mud bogging....but some of the 2-tracks I find myself on can get sketchy)

One that doesn't throw a ton of stones (BFG's did this)

One that will be happy on my unloaded 2003 4x4 CCSB D/A for 80% of it's life and just as happy towing 10K worth of 5w for 20% of it's life.

One that can be ballanced without 10lb of weights and stay ballanced for more than 1000 miles.

One that will give me good wear

One that won't kill my MPG

One that's available in 285/75R16E

I know opinions on tires are like opinions on oil types/brands/etc, but I'd like to know if folks have good experiences with certain tire brands/models for the same types of use that I do. Have the rubes on tire rack commenting on tires that I'm interested in are driving Toy Taco's or Jeep Liberty's or some other non HD vehicle.

Input?

Thanks!

These are what I use in 265/75X16E, but if your truck isn't lifted, aren't 285's going to rub?

These are great tires, read the reviews!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...romCompare1=yes

Rat4go · July 1, 2010

Thanks for all the input, guys!

I shoulda mentioned one other thing…..I’m trying really hard to stay with an American company AND and American-Made tire if at all possible. I spend too much time b!tching about all jobs/technology that we’re giving to China and Korea to get something made there if I have any other option. If I were buying almost anything electronic, I know it’d be hopeless, but there are still a few American tire companies (Goodyear, etc), and even more foreign brands (Michelin/BFG, etc) that actually make some of their tires here. Ultimately, I’m trying to keep most of my $$ in the US when possible. Priority 1 is keeping profits/technology/engineering here (American Company) and priority 2 is supporting manufacturing jobs here. It’s hard to do, though.

General tire is part of Contental…a German company. Grabber AT2’s in my size are made in Mexico.

BFG is Michelin, a French company, but the AT’s are made in the US

Michelin is French, LTX AT2 made in the US

Goodyear is US, Duratrac, Silent Armor and MT/R made here.

Bridgestone/Firestone is a Japanese company. Many tires made in Canada, a few in the US.

how long did the mtr's last? were they the new ones or older ones? impressions? im looking for a mud tire for my next set.

My MT/R’s were the old style. I rotated every oil change (about 7500 miles with the D-max). I have about 35K on them now and I will have closer to 40K when I pull them off, with 1/3 of the miles towing my 5w. I might be able to stretch them a bit further than 40k (don’t expect to be at wear bars) but by the time I get to 40k, winter will be here and they won’t be good enough for that. Overall, they were a pleasant surprise. Lasted longer than expected, traction didn’t fall off as bad with wear as the BFG AT, and while they’re not quiet by any stretch, they’re WAY quieter than I expected. Traction was really good on the occasion that I was truly ‘off road’, especially aired down. I’d actually considered another set (the new style) based on how these did, but part of the plan for this fall is a trip west (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, etc) and I’m not sure I wanna listen to the extra noise for 3800 miles in 2 weeks.

These are what I use in 265/75X16E, but if your truck isn't lifted, aren't 285's going to rub?

Been running 285’s since I had about 100 miles on the truck. On my GMC, they touched the front fascia where it wraps around under the bumper but only with the steering full in one direction driving in reverse over a bump (seriously!! Think backing out of a driveway), but about 30 seconds with some tin-snips to trim about ¼” off the corner off the plastic fascia and that problem was solved.

duradave · July 1, 2010

So far I could't be happier with my michelin LTX AT2's on my duramax. (265 75 16E) I've only got about 5K on them so far and all on road manners are excellent. They have even suprised me in the soggy offroad conditions in Texas. I believe they have better offroad traction than the BFG AT's I had on my 1/2 ton. For such a non aggressive looking tire, the offroad traction is better than expected.

Ruselbrau · July 7, 2010

I second the Cooper S/T i have been running them for years on my '71 454 SS 1-ton Blazer and even with my lead foot they last for ever. I had mine siped and never had a need to run studs in North Idaho. Btw they have really good road manners, no pulling when going through a puddle on the freeway like with the BFG AT. Just my two cents.

alaska511 · July 8, 2010

So far i am likin' my Duratracs. I have put 10K on them since January, and no "noticable" wear yet, I have not measured. They are quieter than my BFGs were on my other HD, and the noise is only really noticable at 35-40, yet quiet on the freeway.

zx6r speedfreak · July 8, 2010

give the duratracs a shot i have 35000 miles on mine and they still look some what new. there alot quieter than i expected and they perform well in the snow and mud.