This is sort of a loaded question:

What tires have y'all used that offer Load Range E, high mileage and some decent tread pattern for all season use and the occasional fire trail etc.? I will be hauling a 30 foot travel trailer w/ bumper hitch over some long miles in full time RV use. Once at destination unhook and go exploring, maybe dirt roads or desert trails, so the need for some all weather and all surface traction. Main event is some very good wear charateristics, at least 40+K miles and decent traction.

Looking for somewhere between 235/75/16 and 245/85/16, Load Range E, good handling and LONG WEAR. Thanks for any advice....

[Oh, and I'm not looking for mudders or anything for extreme mud/snow traction.]

JimmieD

 

This is surprising; but, for long tread-life and durability, it is hard to beat the MAXXIS Buckshot Mudder.

They will wear with the best and have about as aggressive a tread as will be found on a radial.

I suggest TOYO Open Country HT on the steering axle, for their heavy, continous-rib shoulders, and gun-barrel-straight tread.

On the drive axle, go with MAXXIS Mudders for their wear-like-iron compound and aggressive tread.

Many people make a big deal of rotating their tires; but, I find it is only a quick way to spend extra money and wear out lug-nuts.

 

Thanks, BearKiller, I'll check them out. Not the first time I've heard a good report on Buckshots.

 

My all-around favorite tire on these trucks is the Michelin LTX A/T. Quiet, long lasting, and a little more aggressive tread than an all-season. Comes in a LT245/75R16E.

 

Go to tirerack.com. They list tires available for your truck and give comparison ratings and ratings from customers .

 

Need more data, what type and year truck do you have? It makes a HUGE difference. 03 and up come with 17" meats so getting Load range E tires is abit harder to do.
Personally for me on the 03 and above I liked the BFGs that coame with it. If you keep them rotated they will last over 50k easily. I finally took mine off becasue of the great deal I got on a set of 4 silghtly used 1k mile tire & aluminum wheels for $350.

 

When tire replacement time comes around, I'm going with the all-steel construction Michelin XPS ribs in front and XPS tractions in the rear (2WD dually). Not cheap, but dead reliable and long life.

Rusty

 

I found the XPS Tractions locally here for $208ea, and come this December, I can get a 20% discount on the entire order. Question is, can I expect at least 70k or moreout of the XPS's ? Considering I'm about to go over 70k on my LTX M/S which are cheaper I'm wondering if I should go with a different Michelin (the XPS's) for more mileage.

 

I believe it was HaulinInDixie that ran the XPS Ribs on his rig and was at 80K or 90K on them. If not him, it was one of the other serious trailer towers.

I guess my preference for the XPS comes from a problem with a previous 5th wheel when the fabric-and-steel construction LT tires supplied with it were prone to overheating and tread separation failures (these tires run at 90-95% of their load rating). I changed them out to XPS Ribs which ran dead cool (I could put my hand on the tread after hours on the Interstate in the summer at 70 MPH), and I never had any problems whatsoever.

My current 5th wheel came with the all-steel Goodyear G614 RST (G-rated), but these are trailer-only tires which have performed as well as the Michelin XPS Ribs. Nevertheless, their performance in severe service has made me a believer in the XPS Ribs and Tractions.

I have absolutely nothing against the LTX M/S - my wife has them on her Durango and they ride and drive great - but I want an all-steel construction commercial-type radial for my truck since it spends 95% of its life towing a heavy 5th wheel, some of which is in Texas summertime heat.

Rusty

 

As fast as Michelins are going up, they will be more than twenty percent higher by December, and you will probably pay more, even with the discount.

I know, we run a tire shop.

 

As mentioned: Looking for somewhere between 235/75/16 and 245/85/16, Load Range E, good handling and LONG WEAR. Probably use 245/85/16's, the stock W-350 size.

I'm building a 60's truck that's going to be about 1 ton, Dana 60HD rear, D-200 front straight axle, 2 WD, with new Eaton Detroit spring packs to take it to a 1 ton rating. Cummins 4Bt, NV4500, 4.1 gears. Expectaions are hiway cruising and secondary roads, pulling a vintage 30' Holiday Traveler with Alumalite construction. Don't know total weight yet but some tools are going along. Occasionally unhook and explore deserts, fire trails etc. so wanting more than a highway only tire.

Currently seems to be a toss up between Micheling and BFG's. Load range E BFG's are about $115-$136, Michelins are $167-$209 [XPS]. That's about $50 per tire difference between BFG's and Michelin, so just how much better [if at all] the Michelins wear is the deciding factor. Good reports on both tires, also a couple of other suggestions of Buckshots and Coopers. I'm surprised what a challenge it is to wade through advertising and hype from mfgrs. and get straight facts on tires in the marketplace! I really appreciate all the suggestions so far....

JimmieD

 

The BFG A/T KO will get better traction everywhere!! and last a long time! The Michelins are good street tire that will last longer, harder rubber with less traction.
I run BFG's, this is the best all around tire for what I do!

The Michelins seem to go 10-20K longer!

 

Yea, I looked at the T/A KO, but according to BFG it doesn't have the tread wear that the Commercial T/A Traction or All Season's have.

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgap...og/index_6.jsp

I need to do the math to see if the Michelins are the same price as BFG's once the etra mileage is figured in.

 

Yes and do you want the best possible all around traction tire the A/T KO or the longest tread life, Michelin? Sorry but you can't have both. Hiking boots or cowboy boots?

 

You seem to have closed in on the prey, RickCJ! I'm a typical American in some respects: I WANT IT ALL!

It's now down to that decision as you describe, and I'm leaning towards the best BFG, probably Commercial T/A AS All Season. Not quite the high mileage of Mich's tires, but still guaranteed to 50K, and if I get them through Costco there's free rotation, free flat repair, balancing etc. The 235/85/16 should work with a 3042 weight rating in E, and it's $116 at Costco, or $464 per set. 4 michelins are more like $650-$700. Pay now or pay later seems to be the game? Thanks!