Shoppin' for new rubber

sb-Z71 · November 25, 2003

Hi everyone! I'm new to this board and looking for some suggestions on replacing the OEM Firestones that have gone to the crapper on my 2000 Z71. Most of my driving is on road and some towing, around 5500lbs of towing to be exact. Looking for a tire that rides good, quite, not squirly when towing, good in snow and rain, and not to agressive of a tread. Am I asking to much??? I'm currently looking at the Dunlop Rover, Bridgestone Dueler H/L, and Michelin Ltx M/S. HELP!!!!! Any input would help...

2000 Z71 tows a mean ole' goat

stebob · November 25, 2003

You may want to add the Dueler Revo's to that list. Yes, the tread pattern is fairly aggressive, but the quiteness of the ride will amaze you. They also handle very well. I've been in mud, climbed steep, wet grassy hills and they have not failed me yet. I actually have to try and break the tires loose in the rain. Believe me, they will light up, but it takes a lot more pedal. Just my .05

99silveradoz71 · November 26, 2003

Another vote for the Revos. Have them, love them. I looked at the Mich LTX's, but the Revos were considerably more reasonable in price and the performance has been great so far. They are definitely a great wet tire, without the noise.

LogixRat · November 26, 2003

I went with Toyo Open Country AT's and have been very satisfied. The AT's have a slightly more aggressive tread than a "touring" tire, but not much more different. These tires are just ever so slighly louder, but so light it's barely noteable. Also, these tires rock in rain and mud. We haven't got any snow yet since I upgraded, so I can't comment on that.

But in my opinion, they were well worth the $400 I paid for them. Of course, that is a buddy discount. I think w/o the discount they run about $550+ out the door MBI.

k1500chevy97 · November 26, 2003

remember to shop around and get the best deal

AssKickinHD · November 26, 2003

I have the Nitto Terra Grapples and will never own anything different (other than Toyo Open Country ATs). I know some people with the Toyos and they love them. I dont think you can go wrong either way, but the Nitto's are usually a little cheaper!

good luck!

sb-Z71 · November 26, 2003

I've looked at the reviews on the Revo's on tirerack.com and just about everyone was pleased with that tire and my mind was just about made up. But a couple of the reviews said "they weren't sure if they were going to make it home" when they were towing. I'm sure they were talking about sway. Stuff like that really raises a concern on my part. Has anyone of you towed something heavy with the Revo's???

2000 Z71 tows a mean ole' goat

MyBigToy · November 27, 2003

Go with the Michelins, they make the most consistently good tire. Yeah, they are expensive, but in some cases you get what you pay for. I've had a set of 265/70/17 Crossterrains on my Explorer for 2-1/2 years now and they have never had to be rebalanced. Absolutely no tire shake/vibration of any kind. I've owned a lot of other brands of tires and have never had a set stay balanced that long.

I've got the stock Goodyear ATS's on my Avalanche, they are a decent tire for a non-aggressive all-terrain, but they don't stay balanced. If the truck sits for a couple of weeks without being driven, they flat spot. It's not a big deal, they come out of it as soon as they warm up, but it's still annoying.

I won't own any Firestone product, one of their shops screwed me a lot of years ago. I called them and then sent all of the information, including copies of receipts, to their customer service department and they did nothing about it. They didn't even have the courtesy to reply.

lrymal · November 27, 2003

I've looked at the reviews on the Revo's on tirerack.com and just about everyone was pleased with that tire and my mind was just about made up. But a couple of the reviews said "they weren't sure if they were going to make it home" when they were towing. I'm sure they were talking about sway. Stuff like that really raises a concern on my part. Has anyone of you towed something heavy with the Revo's???

2000 Z71 tows a mean ole' goat

That's a good point about the towing concerns. Sure can't answer that one and I certainly would raise that issue when going to a shop, for any brand tire. I tow a boat and can't even tell it is back there, but that is really some light duty towing.

For all purpose rubber, though, I think it is so difficult to beat the Revo. Bridgestone is very good with its 30 day try-it warranty and a decent tire shop may honor that with any brand tire.

Getting back to towing, if you tow a LOT, that is one thing, but if it just a few times of the year, you might want to get different wheels and rubber for the tow job, such as cross country vacationing, etc., yeah right.... as if I could afford THAT.

Since you are in the investigation stage at this point, you might want to call TIRERACK and get advice from them, then likewise do the same thing with a local Michelin dealer, Goodyear, etc. Just to get some information. Towing is certainly a different animal, especially with heavy jobs.

Secondly, there are a lot of folks HERE who tow. I'm almost surprised they haven't jumped in. Towing heavy vs. daily driving would certainly nearly require different rubber or perhaps some suspension help in the back.

MyBigToy..., sorry about your Firestone experience. However, that could have happened with any brand, assuming the dealer is pathetic and sorry. And, I have never had any luck with any cooporate-level complaint for nearly anything, except for K-Mart and some icecream, but that's another story...

422 SS · November 27, 2003

Michelin or BFG are the only tires I will buy.They're more expensive but they last much longer and stay balanced forever.I have put 70,000 miles on a set off 235/85/16 Michelin,took them off and put them on my 15 yard trash hauling trailer and they're still going strong.The wear bars are just starting to show.The longest I have ever got out of any other truck tire is 40,000 miles.In the long run the Michelin is actually more affordable due to them lasting so long.I avoid the cheap tires they just don't deliver the ride or mileage the more expensive ones do.

Ideeho · November 29, 2003

As for BFG's and Michelins, they are the two tops in my book, but unfortunately they know that and have priced themselves out of the running for most folks. Making a set $200-$250 more than the next best is not a good marketing strategy, in my mind. I evaluated the revos and the Coopers, ended up with the Cooper S/T and am extremely happy with them, fantastic tire, and less than $500 out the door with siping and lifetime rotation. Take a peek at the Coops too, they are sweet.

Shotgun · November 29, 2003

Ahhhem.Goodyear MTR's are the*&^%

99silveradoz71 · November 29, 2003

As for BFG's and Michelins, they are the two tops in my bood, but unfortunately they know that and have priced themselves out of the running for most folks. Making a set $200-$250 more than the next best is not a good marketing strategy, in my mind.

I think you hit that right on. The Mich's were good rated tires when I was shopping, but I just couldn't see spending almost $300 more then what I paid.

ddombos · December 13, 2003

I wish I could give you assurance on the towing aspect, but I haven't towed a trailer yet with my Revos. I like them much better than my BFGs, though I have to qualify that. I had the Open Trail models, which are not much of a tire in my estimation.

sr185 · January 3, 2004

I'm shopping for tires too. The stock Wilderness AT's have 23,000 on them and they should have been replaced the day I got the truck, but oh well. Worthless. I'm simply amazed that Bridgestone/Firestone has come up with the Revo's and they are so dang good. Everyone has spoken highly of them and they are on national backorder. As far as towing goes, I have a boat ~4,000 lbs, so I'm going to get the load range D tire, no matter what brand it is. Maybe overkill, but that's just me. I could easily end up with a bigger boat. So far I'm going with the Revo's. I'm in the military and tire prices are pretty good on base so I'll see whats availble there.