Questions on tires... Which one's and why...

[Heath]

This may belong in either the wheels and tires or the polls section but I wanted to get as many opinions as I could so I put it here...

I'm curious what tires everyone is running, why they are running them (price, ability, look), and would they buy them again...

I'm trying to decide on new tires and I've seen a lot that I like that are varying in price... Price is an issue for me... I need 5 tires and I have to be below $150 per tire... But I'd prefer to be lower if possible... I'm going with a set of 32 11.50/15's with about 3" of lift on the Explorer...

I do a lot of wheeling on the weekends... I usually find my self on dirt roads, mud and water most of the time but I LOVE to go rock crawling so that is a must for ability!!!

Thanks in advance for all of your help...

 

[01EB5.0]

I'm buying a set of Goodyear Wrangler AT/S in a few weeks. I hear they are excellent all around tires and personally I like the tread desing better then the BFG AT KO. The 255/70R16 version of the AT/S is $125 from tirerack.com

 

[Stephen]

I replaced the stock Goodyear Wrangler RT/S (crappy tires) with Michelin LTX M/S tires at about 45,000 miles. Now the truck has 94,000 miles so I'm looking again (we drive a lot lol). I've been really really happy with the Michelins. In the 50,000 miles I've had them they have never lost any air, never needed to be balanced, never had a flat at all while the Goodyears lost air and needed balancing regularly. I'll never go with goodyear again. To replace these I'll either get the BFG Long Trails or another set of the Michelins.

 

[JDraper]

I like the BFG AT ko's. They seem to work really well on and offroad. Excellent grip on the dirt and mud, and they only have a very slight whine on pavement. They also have reinforced sidewalls and rim bead protectors for rock crawling. My 31 x 10.5-15's ran about $112 each from Sears

 

[MikeTEC]

Heath, like Stephen, I have had tremendous success with Michelin LTX MS tires on my 93 EB. In fact, I put the orginal set on at 46K and have just replaced them last week with another set of identical Michelin LTX MS tires at 106K and they still had good thread. Mostly highway driving miles and considerable towing. That being said, Michelin has come out with their new All Terrain tire you might want to look at. While Michelins are higher priced, like most things, you get what you pay for. Mike

 

[Perry]

Chris, Jen, and I all run the Big "O" tires and so far they have done real well. The one reason I went with them is because they have free rotation and balancing which I have used a LOT.

When we were finished at CCR2000 I just went and had them balanced. Same with Moab. There are plenty of stores around and they all seem really nice people.

Not sure what the price was.
I know they are a little expensive, but I figure as many times as I have had them balanced it has paid for the extra.

 

[01EB5.0]

Stephen,
You had problems witht he RT/S tires? I'm curuious to hear more about that. The origional owner of my truck ran the RT/S for 73,000 miles and he said they still had tread left. I ran my old BFG Long Trails for 25,000 miles before getting these 16" rims and the first winter or two the BFG were great, but after they get worn in, then everything went downhill. My boss had 31X10.50 BFG Longtrails stock on his blazer and he said he thought they were terrable tires. I thought they were good, but if they start loosing stopping power and stuff at 25 or 30K then thats not cool. AFter I got these 16" WIlderness AT tires, it was like a new truck. i can stop on ANYTHING without ABS kicking in and i have never had to use 4WD since the change. I look forward to the Wrangler AT/S tires to see how well they do this winter in the heavy snow (I'll be in Michigan). I also heard good things about the Michelin LTX M/S, but they are a pretty soft tire, arn't they? My dad brought home a 97 Explorer XL 2WD with those tires on it and I drove it and the ride was not as nimble or crisp as the ride my BFG gave me. The LTX M/S is great for road driving, but with softer side walls, I don't think they were made for off roading. Thats the only reason I am going the Goodyear AT/S route. The goodyear RT/S is also a soft road tire, which is good for some, but not for me. i still have my stock P235/75R15 spare goodyear RT/S mounted on my stock rim and I am suprised the max inflation is only 35 PSI!!! My wilderness AT's are at 40.

 

[Heath]

Perry

Chris had me sold on those long ago... Unfortunatly they don't make them in the size that I want... I MAY decided to go down to 31 10.50's but I don't want to... I'll have to see what happens...

 

[Mike 92 XLT]

Another thumbs-up for the Michelin LTX tires. Since dirt crawling is important to you, maybe the AT tread pattern would suit you better than the M/S would. I've had mine for a little over a year and 20,000 miles after replacing the Deathstones (for which Firestone STILL hasn't refunded my money...grrrrrrrr). They still look/perform like brand new.

peace

Mike

 

[PLRBEAR]

Just thought i'd add my experience with Goodyear so far.

RT/S tires - Bubbling sidewall. Still had lots of thread left

Eagle GT2 (on my Maxima) - Bubbling sidewall too!

I can't say that my personal experience with GY has been pleasant, and i'm sure there are many out there who have had good experiences. So far, i've had the best luck with Michelins and Yokohamas.

 

[MikeTEC]

The new All Terrain Michelin has recently introduced has a very high wear index..I believe it is 520 compared to my new LTX MS's index of 440. Therefore it may be a little stiffer than my tires. Their literature says it is great off road plus has a smooth, quiet highway ride tailored specificly for SUVs. They are a little higher per tire, but if really interested in combination highway and off road work, they might be what you are looking for. Mike

 

[01EB5.0]

I wonder how good those Michelin AT's are in snow? i might consider the Michelins if they are $125 each or cheaper for P265/70R16

 

[espnfreak]

travis i thought it was hands down that you were getting the at/s 31" tires? you sounded so confident that is what you were getting. p.s. good job on the bumper chrome surrounds. you just givin up?

 

[01EB5.0]

I am pretty sure I'm going for AT/S, because they are more agressive then the michelins, but I gotta look intot he ratings of the michelins

 

[Heath]

Maybe I should have been more clear... This truck is NOT a daily driver... I use it to wheel... And I'll drive it around town on weekends... But during the week I have a Honda that I drive to and from work... I'm not looking for all seasons or street type tires... I want something aggressive... I could deal with AT's but I'd prefer some MT's or something along those lines... Something good on rocks and that will do a decent job in the mud, dirt and snow...

 

[jimbo74]

see if the goodyear MTRs are available in that size... tdavis swears by his.... and i saw them on his truck they look good and got him through all the rough stuff... or get procomp mud terrains when they are on sale.... i think it is like buy 3 and get a free 1

 

[rockymntnhi]

I have 32-11.50" BFG KO's Love em' and Would recomend them to anyone . I 4wheel @ PMI in Pueblo it has all types of terrain hardpack trails , shail , Mud , etc. the BFG 's Haven't let me down once , 98% is on the pavement and they do just as good .......

 

[rydinhigh]

I have the bf goodrich ko 31x10.5x15 on my stock wheels and I love them. I paid about $500 for all 4 tires mounted and balanced.

 

[Stephen]

Originally posted by 95XLT
Stephen,
You had problems witht he RT/S tires? I'm curuious to hear more about that. The origional owner of my truck ran the RT/S for 73,000 miles and he said they still had tread left. I ran my old BFG Long Trails for 25,000 miles before getting these 16" rims and the first winter or two the BFG were great, but after they get worn in, then everything went downhill. My boss had 31X10.50 BFG Longtrails stock on his blazer and he said he thought they were terrable tires. I thought they were good, but if they start loosing stopping power and stuff at 25 or 30K then thats not cool. AFter I got these 16" WIlderness AT tires, it was like a new truck. i can stop on ANYTHING without ABS kicking in and i have never had to use 4WD since the change. I look forward to the Wrangler AT/S tires to see how well they do this winter in the heavy snow (I'll be in Michigan). I also heard good things about the Michelin LTX M/S, but they are a pretty soft tire, arn't they? My dad brought home a 97 Explorer XL 2WD with those tires on it and I drove it and the ride was not as nimble or crisp as the ride my BFG gave me. The LTX M/S is great for road driving, but with softer side walls, I don't think they were made for off roading. Thats the only reason I am going the Goodyear AT/S route. The goodyear RT/S is also a soft road tire, which is good for some, but not for me. i still have my stock P235/75R15 spare goodyear RT/S mounted on my stock rim and I am suprised the max inflation is only 35 PSI!!! My wilderness AT's are at 40.

Travis,

Yeah I did have real problems with the RT/S. I dont drive the Explorer often, just occasionally and on trips so I can really tell a difference. The tires were fine when new but they went downhill FAST. They cupped and scallopped making the vehicle shimmy, constantly needed balancing, a couple curb bumps tore the lettering off etc. Always lost air. The Michelins have needed NO attention whatsoever, clearly a far superior tire. Seeing what you say about the LongTrails I will probably do the Michelins again. Yes, the LTX is decidedly an on road tire, but thats best for me.

 

[beavis195]

I have had the LTX A/T for close to 50,000 miles. They are great in the snow! I never got stuck once, even in 16 inches of snow. Since your truck is not a daily driver, I would go with any good High Traction Radial like the Goodyear MTR, BFG Mud Terrains, or to go all out Super Swampers, just my opinion.