Seeking Advice on Truck Tires

[deerfield]

Vehicle is a stock 2012 Ram 1500 4X4 crew cab, with 76,000 miles. Tire size: P275/60R20.

Ram is my main source of transportation, used for daily drive to/from work (60 interstate miles round trip) and occasional short tow of the Outback to the lake or pulling a light duty utility trailer.

We have all four seasons here in the southern part of Virginia, with a mild winter and little in the way of snow. Terrain is flat. I do not go off road.

I have price quotes for a set of four tires. A full service Midas shop is my go-to place for oil changes and annual state inspection. It is suggesting Discoverer LSX Plus (65,000 mile warranty) for $814 or Wrangler SR-A (50,000 mile warranty) for $855.

Costco is an option. Never bought anything automotive from it, but Costco household goods have been a good experience.

Tires currently on the truck are Wrangler HP. They were on the truck when I bought it new in 2012. As mentioned above, tires have 76,000 miles of wear on them and clearly need to be replaced.

For my use, as long as they are the right size does it really matter what tires I put on the truck? Is there a material difference in tires? As an alternative to Midas and Costco, is there a national tire chain to consider or avoid?

I know little about tires, so guidance here is appreciated. Thanks, guys!

[zabooda]

Others can chime in on what are the best tires but I would recommend using a tire company that have stores where you travel simply for servicing if you have a problem.

[sandm]

take the coopers from the shop you get your oil changed at. if you ever have an issue, that will go a long way toward a solution. it looks like a decent price for a good brand of tire.

my .02, tire brands are like ford/chevy/dodge. everyone has an opinion and in the end, most all the brand names make a good product. looks like you do a lot of non-towing driving. make sure the tires are more car-like for noise. would not be as concerned about finding a 10ply for towing as it doesn't look like you do a lot nor have a particularly heavy boat to tow.

good luck and buying tires sucks. lots of cash for something that doesn't make the truck faster or look better :)

[New Guy]

I have the Cooper ST Maxx on my Tahoe and I love them. If I was driving alot of miles I would not choose them as they are a pretty aggressive tire. With that said I am extremely happy with the wear on them, they aren't going to go 80k but no mud terrain will.

[kaneboats]

Definitely an "all season" as opposed to a terrain tire for you. One thing I do is look at tirerack.com and their ratings and customer feedback. I have avoided a few bad choices that were kind of cheap doing this. On my Suburban I ended up taking KG's advice and going with the Firestone Destination LE2. Excellent wet traction was the most important thing to me in FL followed by heat and then ride/quiet. If you know what the most important things are you are looking for the ratings can really help you. (BTW, I buy tires for 5 vehicles plus 2 trailers so I shop price and look for free shipping then take to WalMart or other local places to have mounted and balanced-- saves hundreds a year but this method is not for everybody.)

Here's an example (scroll down to see the ratings):

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Destination+LE+2&partnum=275TR5DLE2OWL&GCID=C13674x012-tire&KEYWORD=tires.jsp_Firestone_Destination_LE_2_Tire&code=yes&src=17540115&ci_sku=275TR5DLE2OWL&ci_sku=275TR5DLE2OWL&ci_src=17588969&ef_id=Vl8QiwAABT0CGXLI:20151202153851:s

[mmandley]

I agree with Sandm, everyone will have an opinion on tires like they do oil.

Hell I wish I could buy decent tires for 800 bucks.

Everything for my truck is 265 a tire on up in my area. I personally normally shop Discount Tire, or America's tire, same company.

I like them because they do free flat repair, free rotations and balancing.

[maxpower220]

If you travel a lot, a national chain can be better for repairs or warranty work. Shop tirerack or amazon for reviews. Shop ebay, tirerack, and call your local shop for prices. Don't forget that your local truck dealers are trying to undercut prices to get business. They can be cheaper.

Generally, really cheap tires are made cheaply and wear much faster. Expensive tires last longer. But in the $700-900 range, look for aspects that you need (quiet, long wear, looks, etc) and then buy.

I think Super Swampers would look good on your truck.

[deerfield]

I think Super Swampers would look good on your truck.

Agreed. Did a little research. Would look good on my truck.

[dusty2221]

Where is the truck, all I see is legs?

[CFD3Captain]

That picture is WAY too small!

[sandm]

fyi, buddy at work is also shopping for his 2011 dodge ram 4dr 4x4 that sits on factory 20's. he was quoted $790 for costco bridgestone 80k mile tires. they are really an oversize car tire meaning it's not a deep lug aggressive tread design that those with lifted trucks want. he has to pay up front and they show up 3 days later.

[moombadaze]

just put tires on my Ram, went with hankook dynapro at's, very pleased with them so far.

[bergermaister]

I looked hard at the Toyo AT II Extremes but they were fairly new still; had pretty solid reviews, just not a lot of them. They have the aggressive look but better road manners and life(?) than the big deep lugs of MTs. Next time around I think it will be those - not cheap though.

[viking]

Just put Toyo Open Country H/T's on my wife's SUV. Great all season ratings and so far impressed with the ride and lack of road noise.
We will see how they hold up over time and do in the snow.

[mmandley]

My pic is normally the Toyo Open Country as well, little more pricey, also the BF Goodwrinch AT KO series. Those were awesome tires on I had on my 06 F150, great in all weather conditions.

[VA LSV]

Every manufacturer's tires have similar internal construction. Speed rating dictates whether nylon edge wraps or continuous spiral nylon wraps are added in addition to the 2 steel belts. The secret is in the blending of rubber compounds. Just the tread can be 4 or more different rubber compounds depending on the type of tire. Manufacturer's rubber blending recipes are closely guarded secrets. If your new tires have different color markings on the sidewall, the red circle should be aligned with the valve stem in the rim.

[patrick232]

Every manufacturer's tires have similar internal construction. Speed rating dictates whether nylon edge wraps or continuous spiral nylon wraps are added in addition to the 2 steel belts. The secret is in the blending of rubber compounds. Just the tread can be 4 or more different rubber compounds depending on the type of tire. Manufacturer's rubber blending recipes are closely guarded secrets. If your new tires have different color markings on the sidewall, the red circle should be aligned with the valve stem in the rim.


VA LSV you sound like you could work at a tire plant we supply parts to.

[deerfield]

The insight, guidance, and opinions are greatly appreciated. Budget is pointing to the first week of January for set of new tires for the truck. Will circle back to let you know what I bought and how much I paid. Thanks, guys!

[maxpower220]

Please do, I am shopping online for tires now too. I have been attempting to find some dealer takeoffs (even tires and rims) for a good deal. Too bad that I don't have a GM wheel pattern as I have seen 2 great deals on them.

I am looking at Discovery AT3, BFG KO2, for the price point. Toyo and Bridgestone Revos look good, but not +$200-300 more.

Also, I am wanting to plus size the tires to fill the wheel well a little more. Current 275/65/18. I am looking at 275/70 or 285/70 sizes. More choices in 20's for these sizes.

[VA LSV]

VA LSV you sound like you could work at a tire plant we supply parts to.

patrick232, used to do automation and controls for Yokohama Tire. Their Geolander H/T is a great tire.

[kaneboats]

I put those on my Isuzu 7 passenger SUV. They were fantastic for smooth quiet ride and wet traction. Sold it before I really saw how they would wear.

[deerfield]

As promised, am circling back with report on tires I bought for the pickup: Cooper Discoverer LSX Plus, 275/60R20

Cost me $773, plus $90 for wheel alignment.

Truck rides smooth and quiet. Little road noise, even at 70 MPH.

Ready to roll…even as far as Colorado…if opportunity pans out.

Thanks, guys, for taking the time to post on this. Much appreciated!

[deerfield]

Ignore the flag in the above post. Used it as filler while figuring out how to upload an image of the tire invoice. Failed as a pdf. Here it is a jpg. Again, thanks for the help.

[sivs1]

the ultimate test will be how do they handle the snow this weekend you guys are supposed to get. Not sure if VA is in the line of the storm or not.

[kaneboats]

I think VA has a big ole bullseye on it for this storm.

[deerfield]

Snowfall has begun, here in southern Virginia! Forecast is for it to continue throughout the day, overnight, and into tomorrow. I'm not concerned about driving in it. Have four wheel drive, plenty of ground clearance, and FOUR NEW TIRES. Am concerned about power lines going down due to high wind and ice buildup. With my Stihl chainsaw and trailer hitch I can clear the driveway and road of fallen trees to get access to the county road. Have 100 gallons of propane to run the fireplace and heat the house, if we lose electricity. Filling one of the bathtubs with water, if needed to flush toilets. Will post pictures, if anything interesting happens.

[kaneboats]

Way to be prepared. Also charge your phones and your backup chargers. Neighbors may need to call you for help. Be safe.

[deerfield]

Also charge your phones and your backup chargers.

In process. Thanks for the tip.

To keep snow from accumulating on the sunroom roof, I’ll climb up there every hour or so to clear it off. Though engineered to support the weight of two people, don’t want 24 inches of snow sitting up there to eventually melt and possibly find a way into the room below. Roof is pretty flat, with only a pitch of a couple degrees.

Have a push broom that worked well on the sunroom roof first time up this morning. Next trip up I’ll try the gas-powered leaf blower. After climbing off the roof, pulled the blower out of the shed and tried it on the front porch and walk. Cleared the snow in about five minutes. Should work well as long as the snow is light and fluffy.

[deerfield]

On the roof, push broom works better than the leaf blower.

Been up there five times. Takes about twenty minutes to clear off the snow (with broom).

Going back out now to warm up the truck and make initial tracks in the driveway.

[maxpower220]

As follow up, I replaced the stock Goodyear tires on my 13 F150 with BFG KO2. Discount tire had a couple of rebates over Presidents Day. Total, out the door, was $934. I did "plus" size with 275/70/18.

There is a slight increase in road noise, but hardly noticeable. Ride is slightly more firm, going from a P rated tire to a LT.

[mmandley]

As follow up, I replaced the stock Goodyear tires on my 13 F150 with BFG KO2. Discount tire had a couple of rebates over Presidents Day. Total, out the door, was $934. I did "plus" size with 275/70/18.

There is a slight increase in road noise, but hardly noticeable. Ride is slightly more firm, going from a P rated tire to a LT.

I ran those on my 06 F150 and I would agree with your findings.

The really nice thing I liked is they grab really well in mud and snow. I was going down snowy powder roads 8inches deep with no problems in 4x4.

They also feel really solid towing, no side to side action. I like the looks of them also.

For my diesels though those tires are close to 400 a peace normally. 1600 in tires alone.