Trouble Choosing New Tires

[boblonben]

Never heard of a cop telling someone they need new tires and letting you off with a warning.. Crazy.

It's Oregon, they tend to be 'different' !! Overly so.

 

[boblonben]

Hey Guys/Gals,

I was pulled over this morning by a State Trooper down in lovely Oregon State. I got a warning, but he told me that I needed to get new tires for my truck. From the looks of it, I have about 1/4" or so left of tread, maybe a bit more. I don't know tires, so I don't know how to gauge it.

I started looking at tires this morning, and talked to a few friends/colleagues. Several of them pointed out that winters down here can be brutal. While family reminded me that I haul trailers nearly every weekend.

I'm at a bit of an impasse here, I need to find tires that are All Seasons or at least decent traction in the snow, will work for hauling, and last awhile. I do a significant amount of driving. I've owned my truck since Dec 2017, and I've put a little over 25k miles on it.

I looked at these tires as a winner but I'd be more comfortable getting feedback from others before I bite the $1200 bullet for these. If you have a cheaper option but provides the same outcome, I'm all ears.
Stick with the factory tires. Best deal around for quality tire - better than Michelins or Nitto's or many others - is BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain. At Wal-Mart these are $132 a tire for standard size. Great tread, quiet on road, great off road, except for EXTREME rock/mud. Best deal around. Good luck...
https://www.lesschwab.com/open-range-a-t-715444.html

 

[JohnnyMac]

For what it's worth, I'm in Wa state but close to PDX. If you look at Craigslist in the tire section, you can pick up a set of practically new take offs for peanuts. Folks buy a new truck and immediately put a set of rims/tires on and finally get "tired" (see what I did there?) of moving the take offs around their garage and sell them for cheap. I got a set of spankin new rims/tires off a 2018 Tacoma for my 2003 Taco for $400. Just a thought.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/wto/d/ram-1500-factory-wheels-and/6737781734.html

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/wto/d/new-wheels-and-tires-set-of-4/6740990601.html

 

[corneileous]

It's Oregon, they tend to be 'different' !! Overly so.

That’s true. Back when I used to run over the road, seems like Oregon and California were lot alike. They still got that 55mph speed limit for trucks?


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[Anthony-77]

I just put a set of Continental TerrainContact A/T's on my 2014 2500. They were a good price and highest rated on Consumer Reports, Tire Rack and recommended by the installer. Only been driving them for about 2 weeks but I think the truck rides much better and quieter than the old tires that were on it. They also have a $100 manufacturer rebate when you buy 4.

 

[BigHornRam]

I also have the Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s Love them!

 

[Gussers]

I will add my vote to the Falken Wildpeak list! I got mine about 10k miles ago and they barely show any wear. They're pretty quiet too. Many friends have remarked on how quiet and smooth the ride is for such an aggressive tread. I was on the fence and did a lot of research. I found these had great reviews and long tread life. They're also THICK (44lb per tire!). They have a 55k mileage warranty. That's impressive for a truck tire.

Another thing to do is buy them on Walmart.com and have them shipped to store free. Mounting, balancing, valve stems and TPMS service are $15 per tire. $25 per tire adds lifetime roadhazard protection. Free rotation and rebalancing every 7500 miles. The thing is the tires are MUCH cheaper through their site and you get free ship to store. Just make sure you buy from Walmart and not a reseller on their site. Choose a store with tire center to have them shipped to. My install was about $750 all in. Local places were all over $1200 for the same. You won't get alignment, but you can get that somewhere else for the money you saved.

Good luck! I think the other tires folks are mentioning are all great. There's absolutely nothing bad about the Nittos, BFGs etc, but they are pricey. They are also offered on Walmart's site, so you may want to price them out there too.

 

[Elkman]

If you go to a tire manufacturer's website they will provide information as to traction in rain or snow and expected miles of use. Start with that to narrow your selection. In general the "all-season" are OK in light snow on most vehicles but not necessarily on a light truck. I use Nitto tires on my trucks and they have the best tire warranty with graduated full replacement of the tire. If 60,000 rated set of tires wears out in 40,000 miles I do not want to have to buy the same tires and get a 33% discount on the tires while having to pay for mounting and balancing.

Continental Terrain Contact are on my 6,000 GVWR SUV. The Continentals are a good light truck tire that provides good fuel economy as well as good off pavement traction.

 

[preachp]

Got BFG KO 2's and they ride good and grab in mostly anything

 

[Dntpissmeff]

I got the Toyo AT3 open country last year before Michigan winter been very happy holding up well quite been good son far

 

[Mohican69]

I drove on the stock Goodyear tires until they were nearly bald. Which really didn't take as long as it should have. When i bought new tires i opted for Cooper AT3. That was 3 months ago. It was like driving a new truck. Prior to getting tires I was looking into replacing my shocks or even a new sway bar. The ride quality was horrible. I had no idea new tires could make that much difference. For me the best 2 tires I've had on my trucks were these Cooper and Nitto Terra grapplers. These Cooper's seem to be wearing a little better than the Nittos did.

 

[BinaryData]

For what it's worth, I'm in Wa state but close to PDX. If you look at Craigslist in the tire section, you can pick up a set of practically new take offs for peanuts. Folks buy a new truck and immediately put a set of rims/tires on and finally get "tired" (see what I did there?) of moving the take offs around their garage and sell them for cheap. I got a set of spankin new rims/tires off a 2018 Tacoma for my 2003 Taco for $400. Just a thought.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/wto/d/ram-1500-factory-wheels-and/6737781734.html

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/wto/d/new-wheels-and-tires-set-of-4/6740990601.html

I'll keep it in mind.

That’s true. Back when I used to run over the road, seems like Oregon and California were lot alike. They still got that 55mph speed limit for trucks?


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It varies on the road you're driving but most Interstates are 60mph for trucks, 70mph for cars. Not like anyone does it. I had to goose it to pass a semi, the **** was doing 85mph with a full load of steel i-beams on the back.

I got the Toyo AT3 open country last year before Michigan winter been very happy holding up well quite been good son far

My brother has 33" Toyo MT's I think, he loves his to death. But then again, his tires last him for years because he doesn't drive anywhere.

I'll do the coin test on all my tires, and post pictures for you all. We can go from there then.

 

[88ROOK]

i had the cooper at3s on my last truck, this time im going to get the cooper at3s XLT, those tires were so responsive in the rain and snow , i felt "in control" at all times. now these junk goodyear sr-a, im afraid to take it out in the rain. seems like the XLTs are little more pricey then the regular at3s but they look better and they also have the 285/60/20 that i want

 

[Puba08]

Goodyear Duratrac imo are the best hands down tires. I live the in the northeast and they handled everything I and Mother Nature threw at them. I’m running RidgeGrapplers now but will always go back to Duratrac’s. And they look great too.


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[BinaryData]

So, here's the results from the penny test. Think I did it right...

 

[corneileous]

I think I would just get me a tread depth gauge and call it good....[emoji41]



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[HowBoutDemPhillies]

Got BFG KO 2's and they ride good and grab in mostly anything

X2. White letters out.

 

[BinaryData]

I think I would just get me a tread depth gauge and call it good....[emoji41]



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I like to be redneck. Took me awhile to find a penny..

 

[Jim S]

I have Michelin Defender LT's on my 13 Ram 1500. The rear tires wore down to a point they had to be replaced with only 25K miles on them. Fronts were no problem only the rears.

Not a HOT rod, but even if I were, the 4.7l just doesn't have the power to spin the tires except on grass!!!

Any ideas why they're wearing down so fast?

 

[BinaryData]

I have Michelin Defender LT's on my 13 Ram 1500. The rear tires wore down to a point they had to be replaced with only 25K miles on them. Fronts were no problem only the rears.

Not a HOT rod, but even if I were, the 4.7l just doesn't have the power to spin the tires except on grass!!!

Any ideas why they're wearing down so fast?

Did you rotate your tires? Every 10k miles you're supposed to rotate them. At least I think it's 10k. I know I need to rotate mine.