Help me pick some SUV tires.....have some questions...

[Remobz]

Hello all,

This is for a 2003 Mazda Tribute compact SUV.

It looks just like this one.....

http://raleigh-nc.americanlisted.com/cars/2003-mazda-tribute-es-v6_18554427.html


I do city driving MOSTLY and although many roads are being fixed to modern standards we still have some bad roads (especially during rainy season) that look like this....

http://streetsblog.net/2011/11/16/the-high-cost-of-cheap-roads/

I rarely go off roading but sometimes I have to do it to access certain villages or towns.


This is a NO SNOW tropical climate like Florida but with mud and dirt and regular highways.


The available brands for me are from 1)Hankook 2) BF Goodrich 3) Michelin 4) Bridgestone


Questions.....

1) Not sure if I should get Passenger or All Terrain tires?

2) Does a passenger/AT type tire exist? Like a hybrid?

Basically, I am wondering if I should go with a tougher (6 ply) AT tire but harsher ride on road or smoother ride but 4 ply and "weaker" sidewalls?

 

[NutBucket]

I would go with the road tire. AT tires are for truly rocky/rough terrain IMHO. You average dirt road should be a non-issue for a street tire. I also typically lean toward Bridgestone and Michelin.

 

[Remobz]

I would go with the road tire. AT tires are for truly rocky/rough terrain IMHO. You average dirt road should be a non-issue for a street tire. I also typically lean toward Bridgestone and Michelin.

I will pick the cheaper of the two concerning tire brands.

I want tires to last me awhile, and I will go off roading because where I live its almost inevitable. Just don't know how often I will do it that is all.

hmmmmm...............

 

[SparkyJJO]

I prefer an AT tire even on the road as they do better in all sorts of weather, but you won't see the snow that I do.

AT also looks better

 

[Remobz]

I prefer an AT tire even on the road as they do better in all sorts of weather, but you won't see the snow that I do.

AT also looks better

If I get the AT tires, are there any pros or cons in getting 4ply vs 6 ply tires?

 

[SparkyJJO]

The higher the ply count, the stronger the tire is, but also the heavier it is.

 

[compman25]

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2

 

[jlee]

Define offroading -- are you talking dirt roads, or are you talking squashing rocks? Regular SUV-spec tires should be fine for most normal uses.

 

[cabri]

Define offroading -- are you talking dirt roads, or are you talking squashing rocks? Regular SUV-spec tires should be fine for most normal uses.

no rocks to squash in Florida.
Mud/swamps and dirt back roads.

OP:
No need for AT type tires; more $$ and rougher ride.

you are better off spending the $$ on quality road tires that shed water.

 

[desy]

Yeah just get a road tire
You have no need for aggressive tread, the higher ply tires help with off roading to keep sticks and sharp rocks from puncturing your sidewalls, any worry about that?
You can save money on gas and focus on longer tread life tires

 

[Scarpozzi]

For tires, I like to go to tirerack and read reviews. Pick a tire with a good tread rating and pay attention to traction and rubber hardness (it makes a difference on treadlife and control).

After that, I'll figure out if it makes more sense to buy them locally or order them. Just remember if you have tire pressure monitors on your tires, it's something more you have to address when ordering. Some places charge a lot for that stuff if you don't buy tires through them.

 

[WT]

Firestone Destination A/T. One of the top selling tires on TireRack. I put 'em on my Sorento and they do a great job in all conditions.

 

[jlee]

no rocks to squash in Florida.
Mud/swamps and dirt back roads.

OP:
No need for AT type tires; more $$ and rougher ride.

you are better off spending the $$ on quality road tires that shed water.

He said "like Florida," not actually in FL. Just clarifying.

 

[rh71]

Why no Continentals? The ExtremeContact DWS are one of the best tires at a good price.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Firestone Destination A/T. One of the top selling tires on TireRack. I put 'em on my Sorento and they do a great job in all conditions.

That's what I have, great tire.

 

[phucheneh]

Destination A/T's wear like crap on the road. Any knobby A/T tire will...very frequent rotations will be needed to keep them from getting super noisy from odd wear patterns.

Can't speak for how long they'll last. Just know that every set I see that's more than half worn are pretty chopped. A.k.a. cupping or scalloping...whatever you want to call uneven tread blocks that gradually make your tire less round and more polygonal.

edit: Destination LE would be more along the lines of what I'd get for a budget tire. Dueler H/L's if you wanna spend a little more.

 

[Remobz]

I got the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza.

Thanks for all the comments.

 

[Samus]

Why no Continentals? The ExtremeContact DWS are one of the best tires at a good price.

General and Continental (their parent company) both make the best truck tires.

They're also among the most expensive, but General Grabber's have been considered the best light-duty value truck tire for decades. Every fleet operator I knew from landscaping companies to plumbers with Ford Rangers, etc, used General Grabbers since the 90's. Many of them would last 100,000 miles, and the winter traction was amazing for a RWD truck with all-seasons.

 

[cabri]

He said "like Florida," not actually in FL. Just clarifying.

 

[desy]

The Dueler H/L Alenza beautifully blends form with function, taking comfort and control to a higher level while complementing the contemporary design of luxury SUVs, CUVs and Light Trucks with a sleek tread design and EverBlack sidewall technology. Featuring dual layer tread compounds, as the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza wears, the underlying high-grip rubber is exposed, helping offset the effects of wear on wet traction. Take control of the road with the quiet and comfortable Dueler H/L Alenza light truck tire.

looks like a nice choice

 

[Remobz]

General and Continental (their parent company) both make the best truck tires.

They're also among the most expensive, but General Grabber's have been considered the best light-duty value truck tire for decades. Every fleet operator I knew from landscaping companies to plumbers with Ford Rangers, etc, used General Grabbers since the 90's. Many of them would last 100,000 miles, and the winter traction was amazing for a RWD truck with all-seasons.

I had the General Grabber HTS tires that I just replaced with the Bridgestone. I 100% recommend these tires for anyone a budget that want long lasting tires. I had them on my vehicle for almost 8 years. Just wanted a step up this time.