mstep3

Hi,

I just recently replaced the original factory Michelin's on 02' RAM 2500 CTD. The originals were Michelin LT265/75R16E OWL (What is said on the sticker). I only had about 40,000 on them and they still had tread but I decided to change them anyway.

I thought that I was getting the exact same model tire that came on the truck stock, but the new Michelin's look narrower than the originals. The new tires are the same model. Anybody else had this experience that the tires look more narrow than the factory tires. The truck was the SLT Sport so I don't know if that had any difference in the tires that were from the factory. I sort of like the way the original factory tires looked.

Thanks,
Mike

Silver R/T

I would look into other tires, just a suggestion. I don't like thread on michelins and they seem to wear out too quick.

2500Ram

I can't help you on the stockers size but I happen to love the Michelin LTX m/s, on the wifes durango 265 75r 16, maybe on the heavy Cummins dodge they aren't the best but... They have been the best all around tire I have had in years and so far the ware is great 2+ years and 35000 and I'm looking at at least 2 more years before replacing.

WestTN

My original Michelin XLT radials in the 265-75R16 size were removed at 91,000+ miles. They wore evenly and had no treadwear bars even close to showing. I don't think you could call that wearing out early. They were replaced with the same tires from Sam's Club, X Radial LT which now have over 47,000 miles and still have over half of the usable tread left.

nkennedy

I loike the LTX ms tires too. They wear a long time, and handle well on the road. Just don't get them off the pavement.

Joe Diesel

im with silver r/t they wear quick & traction is crap on snow (if you get any) i went through 2 sets. i got toyos open counrty A/Ts much better and cheaper then LTXs

old 300

I think you guys are missing mstep3's question. Its not a question if the tires are any good its about the width of the new m/s ltx's. I have the same tire on my truck and think they are ok tires, just not great in the snow now that they are half worn. Great wearing and quiet..
My thought is they should be the same width as the old ones if they are the same tire, either go back to the dealer and ask a few questions or maybe on line you can get the tire specs..

Busboy

LT265/75R16 overall section width is supposed to be 10.7 when mounted on 7.5 rim.. (I have been looking at tires and had a print out) There is a P265/75R16 and it's 10.5 on 7.5. Big difference is load capacity 3415lb to 2365lb. Both tires are Mich LTX MS.

Johnny0874

Hey Bro,
make sure your not comparing the LT series to the P series tires... they will be the same size but the passenger tires don't carry nearly as much load as the Light Truck tires...
I dunno about how they might look skinnier... a 265 bead width should fit the same from one tire to the next... but the tread width may be different. Keep in mind that the first digits in your tire sizing are bead width... not tread width. If you think they need it, you may consider changing rim widths. I noticed when I went from a 7.5" wide rim to a 9.5" wide rim my tires sat about 1/2 shorter, but the tread seems to fill out more (almost 3/4 - 1") because the tire had more room to "spread out". What brand of tires were you running before???

mstep3

Hi,

The original tires that I was using before & were replaced were Michelin LT265/75R16.

I replaced them with the exact tire. I ordered them on-line from Discount Tire & got a pretty good deal. Came out to $175 per tire total. I verified the models & they are Michelin LTX M/S LT265/75R16. They are being used on the original factory rims too.

I was just surprised because I can compare the width of the tire on my spare because it's the original factory tire & it looks a lot wider. It's like the sides of the tires buldge out more....hard to explain but the originals definitely looked like beefier tires. I wondered if Michelin changed the design of the side walls of the tires or something & they sit differently.

Busboy

Did you compare the load ratings of the tires? I'm interested to know because I'm shopping for tires and considering that exact tire.

mstep3

I've checked and the load rating on these tires is E.

Busboy

They should be rated for 3415 lbs at 80 psi stamped on the side of the tire.

Johnny0874

if you're looking at an original tire and a new one side by side and they're different... Call michelin and let them know ... this might be a major manufacturing defect that missed somehow in a shipment of tires... or it may be a redsegin of the product line that they didn't advertise vry openly.... one way you could get a little kick back from the manufacturer, the other way you just get your answer straight from the horse's mouth... Just a thought...

Johnny

pind

it may also be attributed to the sidewalls becoming softer over time, as the miles pile up.

100% of the time, new 285/75/16 BFG mud terrains look taller and more narrow than the ones they are replacing. the taller is attributed to more tread on the tire, the narrow part comes from the sidewalls being stiffer than older tires.

I have done measurements on them, to satisfy my own pea-sized brain, and that is what I have come up with, all things constant, including tire pressure at 60 psi. when loaded, the older tires sit in a more "squat" profile.