Tire Time

[Craig59]

Brand new here and to a Dodge Ram. Always had Chevy, (guess 34 years as a technician for GM influenced that) but bought my Dodge back in April. Boy have I been missing out on a great truck. I love it. Got to get tires and would like some feedback for some good tire choices. Factory 20 inch wheels. Live in Wyoming so winter performance is important plus go up into the Big Horn Mountains quite a bit so it sees quite a bit of time off road. Thanks for your input.

 

[chedched]

275/60r20? I can't remember what the big boy tires are...
Do you like A/T tires? M/T tires? H/T tires? Somewhere in between? I'm just trying to get a feel for how much noise is acceptable for you.

Welcome by the way!

 

[Brakelate]

First off, Welcome!

Second, just one answer for me;

Cooper Discovery ATP's in the stock 275/60-20 size.

On my second set for the '07 1500 5.7 QC 4x4 after wearing out the stock Goodyears.

They are affordable, durable, and have handled everything from high temp high speed high load freeway towing to Sand Dunes to mud, snow and rocky river stream exploration out here in the great Southwest.

They wear evenly and are quiet and very puncture resistant.

I was skeptical at first for going with somewhat of a "second tier" brand name, as I really use my stuff and try to stick with top proven brands.

I have to admit, I have had no regrets and only praise for these things. If they keep making them, for the same price, I'll go back and get them a third time around when it comes due. But, with combined stop and go surface street and a bit of everything else, we are getting up around 42k a pair with 10k rotations and moderate air pressures.

That is my 2.5 Cents worth...

 

[chedched]

Ok, since the size is confirmed I will throw in my top 3 cheapest to most expensive.

1-Cooper Discoverer AT3. This is a tire similar to what Brakelate recommends. The big difference is the tread design. The AT3 is a little more geared towards winter/snow driving. These are a big seller here in WI because they offer a good amount of traction in a pretty cheap price.

2-Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor. These are a tremendous tire. I put them on my wife's truck and they are on their second winter. They are still grabbing like new and wearing nicely. They are somewhat aggressive but don't make much noise. these are probably my favorite of the three I list.

3-Michelin LTX A/T2 or M/S2. These are both great tires. They don't offer much in the way of off road traction but offer great snow traction. These are some of the nicest tires you can buy for the average Joe. They are also some of the most expensive tires you can buy.

This should get you started...

 

[NYCruiser]

Cooper makes excellent tires. Never heard them referred to as "second tier" around here. LOL Actually a pretty big company.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Brakelate]

Was looking for some pics to share, but thought this might just work as well.

Pulled off the highway, fully aired up. About 35k on this set, as you can see the shoulders of the rears are worn as they were just rotated. They have a serious tread depth new. I goofed and just turned the switch into 4WD, without pushing the Tow/Haul mode, so it can be heard hunting for gears and straining with a little wheel hop in 4-HI more than it would normally.

But, it was much softer and steeper than the vid tends to appear.

Hang with it, multiple fender shots mid way through the vid. Cheers!

Coral Pink Sand Dunes / Dodge Ram 1500 - YouTube

 

[chedched]

I like Cooper, Michelin and Goodyear because they all make most of their high line tires in the USA! This is a big selling point for me. This is why I now sport two pairs of Wrangler truck tires.

Neat website---> http://www.americanmadetires.com/where-tires-are-made.html

 

[Brakelate]

Never heard them referred to as "second tier" around here. LOL Actually a pretty big company.

I was speaking more on "price-line" than "numbers produced" scale. They ARE an outstanding tire. But people often shy away from them, as they are more affordable, and simply not as big of a name as, say Goodyear.

People get caught up in brand names these days, mistaking popularity and price for actual quality, as in shoes, for example.

A few pics to break up the thread, just cause I'm a Pic Guy. But, it handled any snow, icy mix or sand I've been in just fine in my 1500.

 

[Craig59]

Hey, thanks for the welcome and the quick response. You guys are reading my mind. The AT3 is very popular here in Sheridan and I have been looking at the Silent Armor and the ATS Wrangler. Not worried about some road noise. Anyone have any dealings will Nitto Terra Grapplers. Good reviews on the tire sites but hard to find a review with someone using the 20's. General Grabbers have good reviews but look like they may be vunerable to the off road stuff. Don't need flats 60 miles out a dirt/gravel road.

 

[Brakelate]

I have ALWAYS been pleased with Nitto products. I have used up stacks and stacks of them doing driving instruction, both at the drag strip and road race courses in So Cal as well as about 80k of commuter type freeway / canyon carving use on them on a 500 hp / 500 tq Mustang Cobra.

Sadly, I have not yet had the chance to try the Off Road tires, only road **** NT-01's, NT-05's and the various sizes of Drag Radials.

 

[blk05hemi]

I love my NTGs! Also had the Cooper Zeons before cant go wrong with either!

 

[bigbadram1500]

I'm on my 2nd set of Nitto TG's - 34's on 20's. I've never had them off road much but they are great in snow and rain. A great wearing tire also. 50k out of my first set.

 

[nistitan72]

Just bought some Michelin LTX MS2 to replace the factory Good Years and WOW, what a difference these things made, great wet traction. they are expensive but you get what you pay for, they have a 70,000 mile tread life warranty. Excellent tire.....

 

[chedched]

If road noise is no concern, look at the Goodyear Duratracs. I have them on my truck now and they perform better than any other truck tire I've used in the snow. I see they list them in a 275/65R20.

As far as the Grabbers, Save your money. I had them. They were nice until %50 worn. Then they weren't worth much in the snow.