truck tires

[oldbird]

What truck tires do you guys recommend? The ones I have now are wearing out really fast because I was told after the fact that they have soft rubber. With this heavy pin weight I want a harder rubber. I want a good tire that will last. Thanks

[OCB]

What do you have for a truck now 3/4 ton, 1 ton, Dually, 4 wheel drive and tire size? My original tire on last truck wore out at about 42,000 miles and I purchased a higher mileage- same brand tire than the original tire. That was on a 4x4 dually 1 ton pickup which I didn't keep to wear out but very happy with wear after another 40,000 miles. Presently I have a MDT with tire replacement expected at 40,000+ miles. This time I'm going with a different brand yet to be determined. Both trucks had G-Y tires originally

Clay FL M2-106 and 2016 MS 38PS3

[wingnut60]

Yes, need info on truck. I get 70k + out of the 19.5s on my 450s, but they are very hard rubber.
If you have 16/17/18/20" tires, there ought to be a wear rating on the labels, or at the website you look them up on.

[oldbird]

I have an older one ton dually with 16" rims. Presently I have Nitto Grapper's and I'm sure discount tire will give me some credit because at only 25K they are about done for. Before that I had the Michelin Ribs but like the rest of Michelins I've had they crack on the sidewalls.

[Cummins12V98]

Michelin Defenders!!!

[oldbird]

I'll check them out Ron, Thanks!

[chevman]

4 defenders were installed on our truck on the rear. new defenders before going south last season. Age was the reason. 2011 date for them.
chevman

[oldbird]

Confusing. The most expensive out of the four Defenders listed has the lowest mileage guarantee, 50K? The cheapest is the highest mileage guarantee, 80K? The two in middle are 60K and 70K. I'm assuming the highest mileage guarantee is the hardest ride and visa versa. I'm just thinking that with this heavy pin weight the harder rubber will not make much of a difference but I've been wrong before. My last 5er Travel Supreme was about 3K pin weight compared to this DRV at almost 5K. My truck handle's it fine but the tires sure are wearing out fast.

Don't get me wrong, its not the money and its not the ride. I just want something that will not wear out fast.

[Cummins12V98]

I bought mine from Discount Tire for around $1,300 out the door for 6 tires. I think they are wearing great with excellent traction and ride. 19k on these. First pic front and second rear.

https://i.imgur.com/XNhajaXl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NdPmMq2l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0NEe4bLl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lZpuYspl.jpg

[Notanlines]

Michelin LTX here also. Wouldn't think of changing them before 65K at a minimum. And we tow all year.

[oldbird]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the tips!

[Mtntrek]

In my perception of tires over the decades it would seem that mfrs. balance rubber formulation to do certain things. Perhaps sell tires to differing markets.

Harder mixtures may indeed wear longer but might also give up traction and control.
Where a soft sticky compound might well grab very good but only last half the mileage.
Case in point: Would a NASCAR driver care if his tires lasted 40k? Or would 550 miles and a whole lot more G-force suffice?

I tend to prefer the highest rating in wet traction for tires, as water on the roads seems to be the biggest equalizer where I drive. YMMV.

[clev]

I have hesitated to ask this because I usually wind up being the whipping boy, but I gotta ask. I’ve read at least 4 posts, here and other sites, about ‘soft’ rubber tires. And even one post stated that the ‘soft’ rubber label was on his tire. I grew up in the 60’s - 70’s, muscle car days, and the only soft rubber that I have ever heard of was Racing Slicks; soft rubber tires for traction on the race track. But, even those were not labeled ‘soft rubber’. I’ve used LT Michelin’s for at least 40 years and have never seen nor heard of soft and hard rubber tires. I looked on mine, inside and outside, and my GY trailer tires; there’s nothing about hard or soft. Where are you guys getting this???

[chevman]

We bought 4 defenders for our GMC 2wd Acadia because original tires were no good in the snow and the defenders were very good. Drove our 2wd 3500 chev to wa from Az for Christmas 2 different Decembers and never spun a tire. Very happy and the reason for the new defenders on the truck. I never buy tires that are done but buy when they are still good for safety.
chevman

[wingnut60]

While softer/harder rubber compounds are a fact, I don't ever recall seeing it labeled as such on the tires--only the wear ratings from the govt standards.
I can tell you from personal experience that 19.5s and 17.5s are 'harder rubber' than 20s/18s/17s/16s meant for driven vehicle use.

[oldbird]

Didn't you say that you ran Sailun's on your truck Joe?

[wingnut60]

Glenn,
I had Sailuns on both the old 450 and the Suites when traded--'17 truck has Continentals as OEM and used '15 Suites has GY G-114s on it as OEM. Sorry for the confusion on previous units. When it comes time for the truck--probable Sailuns for sure unless there is something else comparable in price and rep by then; not sure on the Suites as will need them next season and thinking about the GY guarantee on damage...
Joe

[porthole]

Goodyear Wrangler Kevlar at the least replacement.
So far I like them.

[clev]

Wing, I’ve been around a long time, but have never heard of Sailuns. Do you know how they compare to Michelin’s? Why are sold on them?

[wingnut60]

Take a look at some tire threads on IRV2.com lots of Sailun mentions there.
They are Chinese manufacture, but have many, many good reports and very few negatives. I got my 17.5s from SimpleTire.com--at the cost of Michelins, you can buy more than 2 sets of Sailuns, including mounting charges. With the good luck on the trailer, I put 6 on my '10 450 and had about 65k on them when I traded, great tread left.
Soured on Michelin LTX in 17.5 when 2 of 4 had tread separations at about 4 years and Michelin would not even talk to me about an adjustment on a new set.
I don't necessarily think they are the best tire, just a really good tire at a great price.

[Notanlines]

In the many different RV forums that I peruse the brand name Sailun always comes to the top of the list for a reasonably priced quality tire. And that is for both the RV and the TV.

[Whitewolf]

Just had 4 Defender LTX's installed a week ago. $1180 out the door.