Truck Tires...

OK, the time has come to replace the truck's tires again. I've had the Kumho KL51 RoadVenture tires on it for the last ~45k miles/4 years and they are starting to get pretty worn. The original size on the truck was a 245/70R17. It came with some crap-tastic General Ameritrac's that their only redeeming value was they (usually) held the wheels off the pavement.

When I swapped to the Denali wheels, I went with a wider tire within the same diameter, 265/65R17. I did notice a slight drop in fuel economy before the crap-gas (read: 10% ethanol content) arrived, but it was only ~1mpg on all highway slogs.

Budget is $800 a set or less retail price. I'll be shopping through TireRack (they're mah boys![and girls]). Need to be quiet, long lasting ( I want more like 60-65k miles preferably)and decent all weather traction as this is our all weather vehicle. What do you suggest and why?

Sell or swap the Denali wheels for some 16" ones and then buy a set of load range E 235/85-16. Improved capacity, mpg, and ride when I swapped them on my 4.8L '04 Silverado.

From tirerack I'd be looking at the BFG commercial traction, though the General and Yokohama commercial traction tires are great choices. I didn't realize how cheap the Yokohamas are, actually, and I do need a new set....

I bought some Cooper brand Discoverer ATP's last year, I don't know how long they'll last but they seem fine on my sport trac....

I'm running Mastercraft HTRs on my F350. They are round, black and hold air. No complaints so far, but at 2500 miles a year they will age out long before they wear out.

I'm a big fan of Bridgestone Dueller Revo2's. Had them on the 4Runner. Have them on the Sequoia. Have many friends that use them as well.

They're quiet, great handling, great ride, top-notch wet and snow traction, good dirt/mud traction. I can't tell you life since we sold the 4Runner with 20k on the tires (not showing much wear) and only have about 3k on them so far on the Sequoia.

EDIT: there are two different rated versions. We've used the passenger-vehicle rated ones. I hear the commercial-rated ones (or whatever) are a bit harder and last longer. But it is an A/T tire, so not sure if that's what you want or if you just want a street rig tire.

I'm running the cooper discoverer at3s on my 4runner and couldn't be happier.

I have geolanders on the Disco... so far not a bad tyre and almost no appreciable wear in 6000 miles

We use a lot of the firestone destination le2s at the shop. Think they only come in a p rating. Not overly aggressive quiet and seem to wear nice.

if you are looking for more aggressive and an lt the firestone transforce at is nice

we also use a lot of nokians. Really like those. They are a bit more expensive and I dont think tire rack has them.

Another vote for Cooper Discoverer AT's

In reply to oldopelguy:

Can't do that. The CC in 04 got the larger front brakes (13" rotors)and 17's became standard size to clear the calipers.

Truck sees 10-12k per year, tows at least 5-10 times a year as well as other misc chores. It's a dual purpose vehicle. I've never been a fan of Coopers. Had some on older trucks and they just got loud after about 10k miles. Dad's been running Michelin LTX tires on his 03 (smaller brakes, 16" wheels) and he gets 60-70k out of his with less actual work. His is used as a DD/long distance cruiser and sees 20-25k per year.

The KL51's still show 5-6/32's in the center tread, but the shoulders are under 3 on all of them now... stupid suspension geometry.

I'm looking hard for truck tires too. My first thought were Michelin LTX at2 or M/S, but maybe too expensive. I've heard good things about the Cooper Discoverer AT3's as mentioned. I'm currently leaning towards Firestone Destination AT. They have been ranked 1st or 2nd on Tirerack with many miles reported. They are said to be very quite and good on most terrain. I don't like the look, but for the price, hard to beat from reviews. You can get a set installed in your size for $667.92 and also get a $70 prepaid card:

http://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tire_pricing/quote.jsp?article=54273&qty=4

I had the Destination Le on a Ranger and they were nice if you want more of a touring street tire.

If you can swing the price, the Michelin LTX M/S2 is the best tire going. On my Explorer they gripped amazingly, stayed balanced perfectly, enjoyed neglect (rotated them once), and lasted for 120K miles before getting replaced for age but still had tread.

KyAllroad wrote: If you can swing the price, the Michelin LTX M/S2 is the best tire going. On my Explorer they gripped amazingly, stayed balanced perfectly, enjoyed neglect (rotated them once), and lasted for 120K miles before getting replaced for age but still had tread.

This. I'm on my third set on our Exploder. The last set lasted almost ten years, were quiet and confident the day I retired them, handled rain, heat, pavement, dirt roads, towing, and everything else with aplomb. The Exploder rides better with these than any other brand I've tried and they actually improved the mileage a little. I can't say how they do in snow, and they are expensive, but I won't put anything else on a street driven 2wd truck.

Ive got Cooper CS4 tourings on my vue amd enjoyed them, good all around performance, quiet even ride too

ultraclyde wrote:

KyAllroad wrote: If you can swing the price, the Michelin LTX M/S2 is the best tire going. On my Explorer they gripped amazingly, stayed balanced perfectly, enjoyed neglect (rotated them once), and lasted for 120K miles before getting replaced for age but still had tread.

This. I'm on my third set on our Exploder. The last set lasted almost ten years, were quiet and confident the day I retired them, handled rain, heat, pavement, dirt roads, towing, and everything else with aplomb. The Exploder rides better with these than any other brand I've tried and they actually improved the mileage a little. I can't say how they do in snow, and they are expensive, but I won't put anything else on a street driven 2wd truck.

Dad's had the same experience (never gets that many miles... but same experience). I've been selling tires for years and one thing I've noticed is I've never seen an unhappy Michelin owner.

I fully expected to spend $150-200/tire for something good. It's not like the truck is going anywhere. We're going to keep it until the wheels fall off, then put them back on and keep driving. I guess I might as well just get the "Good stuff".

Michelin's ftw. The LTX MS2 is just THE all-weather tire to have.

How are the Michelin LTX M/S vs. Michelin LTX AT2 in the snow?

I have Michelin's on both of the trucks due to a similar thread a while ago. Great tires. Absolutely worth it if it's a truck you're going to be driving for the next 50k.

I had a set of LTX at/2s on my Tacoma for about 5 years. They'd have lasted forever had I not totaled the poor thing. When The Mighty Foreigner needs rubber it's where I'd look first, but they are a bit spendy. If you're looking at the very-long term outlook, however, they're reliably very long lasting.

ultraclyde wrote:

KyAllroad wrote: If you can swing the price, the Michelin LTX M/S2 is the best tire going. On my Explorer they gripped amazingly, stayed balanced perfectly, enjoyed neglect (rotated them once), and lasted for 120K miles before getting replaced for age but still had tread.

This. I'm on my third set on our Exploder. The last set lasted almost ten years, were quiet and confident the day I retired them, handled rain, heat, pavement, dirt roads, towing, and everything else with aplomb. The Exploder rides better with these than any other brand I've tried and they actually improved the mileage a little. I can't say how they do in snow, and they are expensive, but I won't put anything else on a street driven 2wd truck.