Oh no, tires again!

[Taylor513]

You are referring to the "Defender LTX"?

Yes I am, I have family that runs them and they're smooth, quiet and last a long time.

 

[Taylor513]

You have my needs and what I am after pretty well figured out. The Wildpeak AT3W is the Falken tire I was considering. ( mentioned Falken in OP ).
It just seemed more aggressive than what I am looking for. Yes, it would solve the rear wheel traction that the Goodyears lack but perhaps at the expense of ride and NOISE!! I can live with the stiffer ride but admittedly I will say I am the noise police. Road noise drives me insane.
Reason is, I have high frequency hearing deficiency. The low frequency of road / tire noise has the feeling of being amplified to me. I guess this is because of the lack of the competing high frequency sounds. As example I have much difficulty hearing the little ladies voice ( high frequency ) because it is drowned out by the waterfall like sound of road noise ( low frequency).
So, noise is an issue right up there with wet road surface performance. Ride and tread life probably next as long as I could get 50,000 miles out of the tire.

Reading this I'd for sure go with the Michelin's. Sounds like you don't have a need for an A/T and with your hearing there's not point in going with a A/T because the more they wear typically the louder they get.

 

[Different Drummer]

I had same problem on my 2wd, there is just no weight back there. I put 2x4s behind and in front of rear tires, bed had slots to hold them. Put 300 pounds of sand tubes there, made all the difference in traction and braking.

Did only 300 pounds make that big of a difference? I may be staying home in the northeast for the first time in a long time this winter. I was thinking of buying some of that "tube sand". However, I was thinking that it would take way more than 300 pounds.

 

[tron67j]

300 did it for driving around town, but still had a little slip when starting at light just after rain started falling and oil rose to top. I originally had 800, and tried different amounts over time, arrived at 300. Maybe start in the middle and see how your driving works with it. I never drove it in winter, had a beater FrWD with 4 snows for that so not sure there.

 

[Quyonmob]

Toyo HT or Michelin Defender are the only two I would be picking from for quiet, comfort, and durability in a highway tire.

 

[huntergreen]

I'm just amazed you got that kind of mileage out of the Badyears! At 30K mine were sketchy in the dry and downright dangerous in the wet!! Nursed them to 35k before a nail spoiled the fun and gave me an excuse to get rid of them. Trying the Cooper Discoverer HTP and have no complaints so far.

Have driven the HTP in the snow ? On my phone so can’t see if your location is listed.

 

[Different Drummer]

Well off to the local tire store tomorrow.
Looks like I have it narrowed down to 3
Toyo Open Country HT2
Continental Terrain Contact H/T
Michelin Defender LTX

Don't really need truck tires on the Ram for the use it gets.
I have a 1988 one ton with flatbed for real truck use. BF Goodrich Commercial A/T's on that.

After reading till my eyes are bloodshot I think the Toyo and Continental are neck and neck for the choice.

 

[Lee955i]

Have driven the HTP in the snow ? On my phone so can’t see if your location is listed.

Sorry, we don't get much snow in Florida....Unfortunately...

 

[Different Drummer]

Sorry, we don't get much snow in Florida....Unfortunately...

LOL, I was in St Augustine a about 8 years ago and it was very cold. A few snowflakes started to come out of the sky and people were running out of the shops going crazy to see it. You would have thought it was gold dust. Quite a sight for me being from snow country.
By the way. I have attended your big event in the Spring many times.

 

[canadiankodiak700]

Looks like a lot of support for the Michelin Defender LTX. I am a little surprised of no mention on Michelins sidewall weather checking though. Maybe they have got that under control since I was buying tires for a MH 10 years ago. Back in those days I considered a Michelin tire that was 100% highway. It was a fleet tire called something like "commercial ribbed" or something similar. I tried to find it today but had no luck.
I would be content with a P metric to keep weight down. I am guessing the LT in LTX stands for light truck. Probably a heavier tire but I can live with that.

I think both the Falken and BFG mentioned are probably a more aggressive tread than what I need. Road noise drives me crazy. Especially after several days of long distance driving.

Your best bet would be to go with the Michelin LTX m&s (they are available in P-Metric as well as LT sizes) or a Bridgestone dueler Revo which is an awesome Tire.
I worked and managed tire shop for over 10 years we sold many different brands but we were primarily a Michelin dealer I myself am more partial to Bridgestone. But I can assure you there was never an issue with sidewalls cracking on a Michelin tire other than possible weather cracking due to old age like any other Tire. those commercial tires you were talking about for the XPS rib and they were a horrible Tire. About the only people we ever sold those to were curious such as Purolator or FedEx as for the general public I would recommend a rubber band on your rim before I would ever put an XPS rib LOL

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[Lee955i]

LOL, I was in St Augustine a about 8 years ago and it was very cold. A few snowflakes started to come out of the sky and people were running out of the shops going crazy to see it. You would have thought it was gold dust. Quite a sight for me being from snow country.
By the way. I have attended your big event in the Spring many times.

The Lake Mirror Classic show? Cool show, for sure! Yeah, I grew up in snow country, The Adirondacks in NY. Can't begin to tell ya how much I miss it....

 

[Different Drummer]

Your best bet would be to go with the Michelin LTX m&s (they are available in P-Metric as well as LT sizes) or a Bridgestone dueler Revo which is an awesome Tire.
I worked and managed tire shop for over 10 years we sold many different brands but we were primarily a Michelin dealer I myself am more partial to Bridgestone. But I can assure you there was never an issue with sidewalls cracking on a Michelin tire other than possible weather cracking due to old age like any other Tire. those commercial tires you were talking about for the XPS rib and they were a horrible Tire. About the only people we ever sold those to were curious such as Purolator or FedEx as for the general public I would recommend a rubber band on your rim before I would ever put an XPS rib LOL

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Thanks for the input. I was not sure if the Michelin came in anything but a LT tire. I googlefooed trying to find information but was unable to confirm. I think it is going to come down to wet weather ( real rain) capability and quietness. I don't want to sound like I have the ability to throw money away, but honestly the difference between 50,000 miles and 70,000 miles in longevity means less to me than safety and comfort.

You are correct the tire I was trying to remember was the XPS ribbed. Marketing is interesting and of course can be quite deceiving as well. Everything I was reading made me think they would be a good choice for the highway driving I did with the Motorhome. I did run Michelins on it. They were the ones with the sidewall issues. Weather checking I believe what it was called. They did in fact warranty quite a few of those tires. I never applied for it as it did not bother me. I put 65,000 miles on them including some rough surface on the Cassier and Alaska highways.

Edit: Only Dueler Revo I can find is an all terrain tire.

 

[Different Drummer]

The Lake Mirror Classic show? Cool show, for sure! Yeah, I grew up in snow country, The Adirondacks in NY. Can't begin to tell ya how much I miss it....

Interesting. I lived most of my adult life in Lake George.
No, not the Lake Mirror Classic. I'll give you a hint. Every time I came I camped in a tent under a wing.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

Your best bet would be to go with the Michelin LTX m&s (they are available in P-Metric as well as LT sizes) or a Bridgestone dueler Revo which is an awesome Tire.
I worked and managed tire shop for over 10 years we sold many different brands but we were primarily a Michelin dealer I myself am more partial to Bridgestone. But I can assure you there was never an issue with sidewalls cracking on a Michelin tire other than possible weather cracking due to old age like any other Tire. those commercial tires you were talking about for the XPS rib and they were a horrible Tire. About the only people we ever sold those to were curious such as Purolator or FedEx as for the general public I would recommend a rubber band on your rim before I would ever put an XPS rib LOL

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how would you rate the michelin LTX in the snow? we don't get that much around here but once in a while we do and would like to have a tire that is decent in snow along with highway driving.

 

[Kork31]

Been reading all I can find on the forum, but I am not finding exactly the information I seek. There is a lot of information on off road, all terrain etc., 3 Mountain Peak ? snowflake but not much that relates to my type of driving and tire needs.
I have just over 40,000 miles on the original Wrangler SRA's. They have worn evenly and served their purpose OK. Plenty of tread depth remaining and I was going to take them to 50,000 miles.
Today I get a puncture in the right rear. Was able to get home with a couple of stops to air up.
Good news is that it was an unbelievable nice day, I was able to get home and do the work in my own driveway and I got to learn the ropes on the spare tire carrying mechanism.
So I figure I might as well go ahead and get new tires now.
I am looking for suggestions preferably based on personal experience but any and all comments are welcome.
Here is the important stuff: 2WD 1500 Laramie LSD 275/60R/20, driven nearly exclusively over the road. Never tow and no winter ( snow, slush ) driving. The truck is basically a touring vehicle. Wet weather performance is important to me.
I am trying to decide on some nice replacement tires.
I have researched some Bridgestones, Falkens and Michelin. All I know though is what I read.
Give me your thoughts.
Thanks,
DD

If youre looking for more of a basic all terrain I’d look into the pathfinder ATs at discount tire. They are a great road tire that double down as a trail tire. They come in sizes up to 33inchs if you want something a little beefier for the truck. They are also very affordable coming in hot at around 800 bucks.

 

[Kork31]

 

[Tracy in IL]

Tire Rack's website let you search on tires based on your needs. I found the search engine very easy to use. Find the top scoring tires for your criteria, check reviews, compare prices, and bingo, usually a tire pops up as the top candidate.

 

[Sinistre1]

Can't give mybtwo cents yet as I have had my General Grabbers H60 for just under two weeks. That said I was in the exact same boat (minus 2wd..though I mostly drive 2wd with my 4wd). Rarely offroad. The ride is phenomenal but I'm comparing brand new to wearing/ worn out GY's... The generals are quiet, Very grippy in both dry and wet. The truck just sounds and drives new. Your mileage may vary but if this holds up for at least the 4 years i had the stickers is be well chuffed. Good thing is the set of 4 cost $700 at tire rack and that's with a warranting a very spirited driver.. if that matters to you, the Generals will inspire confidence. I learned to "drive the slide" with the GY... I'm relearning as these don't give up traction nearly as much... well, not at all yet lol

 

[boblonben]

Would not give you a dime for any Michelins ! Really like my BFG Rugged Terrain's, low road noise, good gas mileage and a tread that is great in the wet, and dry.

 

[clay282]

Sounds like you and my brother in law drive EXACTLY alike, because he gets 40-50k out of the Wrangler SRA's as well. I however CAN NOT get more than 30k with my driving.

With that said, why not get another set? B.I.L. drives in the same conditions and he doesn't hate the SRA's or love them. He says they're a good basic tire that's quiet and smooth and do what he needs. He started looking for new tires at 45k and the dealer had a "Buy 3 Get 1 Free" deal and he got another set of SRA's. He said the out the door price came to about $130 a tire. At that price and 40-50 thousand miles a set, why wouldn't you? If you can get them on a promo or sale, that's 100,000 miles worth of tires for $1040 bucks. He did tell me the guy at the dealer said they make several identical SRA tires but you have to order by weight. He said there's a specific stock number that is a pound or two heavier and that one lasts longer.

I know my opinion isn't the popular one and it's not even advice that fits my situation, but the SRA's seem to serve you fine. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

I also want a quite nice ride with great wet weather traction. I did need something with a bit more off road traction, so I ponied up the extra money for Firestone Destination LE2's and they have been and still are great tires. Unfortunately, they don't look like they will last any longer than the SRA's did. So, was the significantly more expensive $210 a tire (when I got them) a better buy than the SRA's??? Nope! They are a bit better in the rain and I don't get stuck on wet grass anymore, but I can't say they're worth an extra $80 (sale price) a tire better. Next time I'm getting All Terrains and calling it a day lol.