Tire Help Plz

[ElevatedBabyDiesel21]

Hello Everyone,

I just bought a '21 Sierra 1500 with the Baby Diesel. Loving it so far. It's in mint condition with 23K miles...and it came with these Bridgestone Alenza OS/2 tires. I actually don't mind the looks but I'm reading that they're very mediocre on the road and pretty awful in wet conditions or even light snow. They also retain small pebbles like nothing I've ever seen. I need some advice in a 275/60/R20...please note:

 

* This truck will be used 95% on the highway and is going to be largely a weekend/as needed fun driver during the week. (I have a company vehicle).

* I will almost never actively be going Off-Road

* Decent snow performance is fairly important to me as I do live in upstate NY and love the confidence of 4WD in the winters. My family back where I grew up also has a steep       driveway and I like the ability to tackle it when I visit on weekends in the winter. Winter performance is not important enough for me to consider dedicated snows (as much as I love

 Blizzaks). 

* Comfort, handling and low road noise are important to me. I'm not looking to replicate my old lifted Raptor with 37"s...

* Looks are somewhat important. I would like to avoid a tire that looks like it should be on my 85 yr old Father-in-law's Buick.

* Something that doesn't SPRAY rocks everywhere as I hate rock chips (even though I am mostly on pavement).

 

Here is what I have been considering:

 

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S - Fantastic reputation from what I can read...seems to strike the best balance for almost everything I need (except I'm unsure of snow). My only hangup at all is in the looks department. Good lord..why make such a highly acclaimed highway tire that looks like it belongs on a 1995 Buick Skylark. Anything at all out there that compares that looks sharper?

 

2. Michelin Defender AT/2 - This All-Terrain version seems like it may be a winner for me as it seems to have all the qualities as # 1 (with slightly stronger off-road emphasis) but still good highway performance and it seems better more aggressive look.

 

3. Nitto Recon Grappler - Looks great...will def provide what I need in the snow but at what cost? It's no secret that this is more tire than I really need...and is the increased noise, decreased comfort/handling going to be that significant? 

 

4. Nitto Ridge Grappler - See # 2 above. 

 

I'm totally open to other suggestions as well...thanks in advance for all your help. 

[Grover67]

I changed the factory tires out before its first winter here in Michigan to a set of Toyo Open Country A/T lll's  on my 2020 AT4, stayed with the stock size 275/60 R20. They are 3-peak rated, not noisey and a good ride. Always look for a tire that are more winter oriented but didn't want to deal with a set winter only tire and rims if I could get away without them. These are the first time using this brand and so far I've been happy with them. Might give them a look.

 

-Grover67

 

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by Grover67
added

[dieselfan1]

I never thought the Michelin Defender LTX looked like a tire on a Buick.

They look pretty good on my High Country IMO.

 

[CamGTP]

Hell no to the Nitto Ridge Grappler, if you want a tire that sucks ass in the snow, then go with those. The Recon Grappler is better but still not super ideal for all of what winter has to offer.

 

Falken Wild Peak AT's, Toyo Open Country AT3's, BFG Trail Terrains or the Michelin Defender LTX M/S are my suggestions. I work in the tire business, those are some of best you got in a highway/all weather tire.

[wrexx]

Haha @ CamGTP...not just a no, a Hell no!

[Robby James]

Go with the Michelin

[asilverblazer]

BFG Trail Terrains

 

I won't put a Michelin tire on anything I own.

[Muddturtle1231]

I  had Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 on my 2005 Silverado, and absolutely loved them.  I will replace my factory Goodyears with Geolandars as soon as I can.

[diyer2]

 

Defender LTX M/S

[RedLT]

On 10/14/2022 at 6:34 AM, dieselfan1 said:

I never thought the Michelin Defender LTX looked like a tire on a Buick.

They look pretty good on my High Country IMO.

 

 

With those tires I bet it rides like a Cadillac!

[CamGTP]

8 hours ago, asilverblazer said:

BFG Trail Terrains

 

I won't put a Michelin tire on anything I own.

Guess what, Michelin owns BFG. They're the same exact people so if you have BFG's on your truck, you have Michelins on it.

Edited October 18, 2022 by CamGTP

[dieselfan1]

16 hours ago, RedLT said:

 

With those tires I bet it rides like a Cadillac!

It does.

[Gangly]

Michelin is the number 1 rated tire for a reason.  They cost more, but you get more.  I have the Defender LTX on 2 vehicles and they are SUPER quiet, balance easily, and last as long as advertised.  Though I would never use them for an off-road tire, they are wonderful on the highway and wear incredibly even.  Other than looks, I think it fits your needs extremely well.  

 

Good Luck with your search!

 

[4banger]

falken wildpeak at3w - snow flake rated all terrain that seems commonly compared against the bf ko2 or Goodyear duratrac, both of which I've used but now prefer the falkens

[Ezekiel2517]

On 10/17/2022 at 11:11 AM, asilverblazer said:

BFG Trail Terrains

 

I won't put a Michelin tire on anything I own.

Doesn't Michelin own bfg?