Tire Wear

[Kodiak450]

I was wondering what other's 2500 HD's are wearing tread down fast?

 

I always ran BFG AT's on all my trucks I ever owned, I started with Ford trucks, then eventially over to GM. In my opinion, Ford trucks had a bad batch era from 98-06 (but I'm not gonna get into that now.) Anyway from having owned ford trucks and none of them had a limited slip diff, only one rear tire could potentially wear down fast. I know all the concern one has to keep an eye out for when owning a vehicle with limited slip/ locking rear, I have a Mustang GT that has one.

 

I purchased new treads online last year (FEb 07) for both my Blazer and 2500HD (Both were a week apart) Not even a year later, upon inspecting the tires on the 2500HD, it decimated them in the rears, 85% worn, one actually blew out on the highway. Those tires in that time were alternated 2 x's. Luckiliy after shelling out more cash for new tires, the online Co. gave me a pro-rate check for the sum of $252.00 for both tires (it was better then nothing).

 

I'm running 265's, a much heavier tire and was keeping the psi too high, well at least that what was what one of my friends said at the automotive repair facility I use. They recommended I keep the front at 45-50 psi and around that in the back, except what hauling and towing, then add some more. There was a huge difference in ride comfort now that I keep the tires @ a lower psi. Feels like a caddy to me now!

 

I was always the type a guy to keep the psi @ whatever it said on the tire, sometimes even higher. I noticed better mileage, and less drag. The Mustang has directional tires, and we learned the hard way to religiously adopt a tire rotation schedule, or wind up shelling out over a grand for new treads. Since I bought my 03 used and only had a mere 21,000 miles on it and what I paid for it, it was bascially a new truck that was just broken in. I was very surprised to learn that this truck was able to wear down a BFG AT @ only 14,287 miles, the front's are also gonna need some replacing this Fall/Winter for the snow plowing season. Unless I was sold a bad set of tires, I find it very hard to believe 14,287 is the number to get use to. I am keeping the psi lower now, even though I feel I am getting worse mileage. A online friend of mine suggested maybe my 2500HD might have had "True lockers" installed, but all I know about previous owner is he used the truck strickly for weekend's, towng a boat.

 

BFG AT's are very aggressive and soild tires, the ones on my blazer which were bought a week earlier in Feb 07 have excellent tread left on them, still looking practically brand new. I know there is a huge weight difference between the Blazer & 2500HD, but my 96 F250 was only a few hundred pds lighter then my 2500HD. Same body style, and wheel base.

 

So has anyone else ever experienced accelerated tire wear on their 2500HD?

[wellinghurst]

not me...my BFG's have about 10k on them and still look brand new. The only thing I can think of (although this still wouldn't cause wear that bad I don't think) is that if you drive on roads that are tarred and chipped (a lot of them are in PA-my buddy goes through tires like none other).

 

Put the amount of pressure in your tires so they run flat to the ground while driving. Airing them up will get you better mpg, but really hurt treadlife.

[nbscanuck]

BFGs are bad for wearing the centre of the tread when they have high air pressure (tread bulges). Gravel roads and heavy loads will wear tires FAST. My brother and I have same tires, he drives 90% gravel, I drive 90% pavement. His tires are done in 15000 miles, I'll get 40000 easy.

 

If you are comparing your vehicles, obviously mileage is considered, but the 2500 weighs quite a bit more than your blazer. You drive both vehicles. Driver habits make a big difference, my wife is WAY easier on tires. I'm kind of a lead foot.

[The Factory Man]

<br />BFGs are bad for wearing the centre of the tread when they have high air pressure (tread bulges). Gravel roads and heavy loads will wear tires FAST. My brother and I have same tires, he drives 90% gravel, I drive 90% pavement. His tires are done in 15000 miles, I'll get 40000 easy.<br /><br />If you are comparing your vehicles, obviously mileage is considered, but the 2500 weighs quite a bit more than your blazer. You drive both vehicles. Driver habits make a big difference, my wife is WAY easier on tires. I'm kind of a lead foot.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Tire Pressure, too high and you wear out the center of the tire, too low and you overheat the tire and may have tire failure. Go to ANY tire manufacturers web site and the will tell you to follow the vehicle manufacturers specification for tire pressure under normal operation. The pressure AND load rating on the tire is the maximum that tire is designed to handle, NOT what the recommended tire pressure is.

[Kodiak450]

My road is gravel, same as me driveway, I guess everytime the rear wheels are spinning that's not helping the tire? Some of my driveways I plow are long and unpaved as well, one DW is about 750 ft. Some of the private roads I plow are also unpaved. I was really pointing the finger at when towing my equipemtn around. I have steep hills to travel, and lot's of miles to cover. Like I said , I am now keeping the pressure around 45-50 psi, I hope that helps.

[nbscanuck]

I have rears at 50-55 with the trailer and ATV on. Seems ok so far, just started pulling the trailer. Fronts are 45-50. Empty I run 40 front, 45 rear.

 

Spinning is BAD, spinning of gravel is REALLY BAD for tire life. If you are towing lots, that will DRAMATICALLY shorten life of a tire.