Yet another tire recomendation thread

[SarcasticDwarf]

Right now I have a 97 Dodge Ram 1500 4x2 long bed pickup. The current tires are P255/70 R16 109S tires (Michelin XC LT4). Unforunately they have almost no tread left and the sidewalls are heavily cracked. I need a new set that gets very good winter traction (the main worry as I live in Wisconsin and a rear wheel drive pickup is HELL) but is good all around. Off-roading isn't really a major issue, though it is one (mud after snow melt and getting out of deep snow after parking can be *tricky*). The tires need to NOT look like minivan/sedan/whatever tires. They need to be truck tires.

Anyone have any suggestions? This will be my first time buying tires, so I am rather clueless. I understand the load/speed rating part of things, but everything else is a mystery.

 

[SithSolo1]

Those are probably the best tire for that truck. We've used them on ours for a while now.

 

[d33pt]

Get a light truck tire with M+S rating (mud and snow) and you should be good. I really recommend the BFG AT's... good wear and great traction in snow and dirt.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
Those are probably the best tire for that truck. We've used them on ours for a while now.

Seriously? I think the actual look of them is crap, they look like they belong on a van instead of a truck.

 

[myusername]

BFG AT KO FTW. Get them siped and they have excellent road manners and stick like glue to wet pavement. Plus they look as "trucky" as you get without going to an MT. A little pricey though. There are highly rated Coopers that come close but are much cheaper. I forget the model though.

 

[RU482]

one time, there was this thread, where this guy asked about tires for a truck, and it was, like, earlier tonight

 

[mugs]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp...icleSearch=true&partnum=275SR6VAT825SL

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: myusername
BFG AT KO FTW. Get them siped and they have excellent road manners and stick like glue to wet pavement. Plus they look as "trucky" as you get without going to an MT. A little pricey though. There are highly rated Coopers that come close but are much cheaper. I forget the model though.

I like the look and the specs on them. Hmm. I think I may go with that.

 

[myusername]

Originally posted by: redly1
one time, there was this thread, where this guy asked about tires for a truck, and it was, like, earlier tonight

Yeah, but he specifically said he didn't want AT tires, so I couldn't post in it and tell him to get BFG AT's, even though he should too

 

[RU482]

I must appologize for that post. I was in a smart ass_mood.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: myusername

Originally posted by: redly1
one time, there was this thread, where this guy asked about tires for a truck, and it was, like, earlier tonight

Yeah, but he specifically said he didn't want AT tires, so I couldn't post in it and tell him to get BFG AT's, even though he should too

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: redly1
I must appologize for that post. I was in a smart ass_mood.

Hey you jerk! I don't pick up on sarcasm very easily!

 

[OrganizedChaos]

BFG AT/KO
or
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo

 

[imported_Condor]

I've been going back to Michelins for years after switching to tires like Kelly, Goodyear, Perelli's, BFG, etc. Do yourself a favor and get another set of the Michelins. It sounds like you have gotten very excellent service out of the ones currently mounted.

 

[acemcmac]

combine threads?

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

I think I have it down to the BFG AT KO's or the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo. The first will be $720, the second $700 (also got another quote for $750 and $630) installed. I'm not really sure where to go with this. I've seen quite a few posts on the Bridgestone's saying they don't handle as well in the snow. I've also heard it mentioned frequently that the Bridgestone's wear out quickly. At the same time, the BFG's have a much lower rating according to these results: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=ORAT

I can't seem to find a spec to spec comparison of the two tires (saying the sidewall construction and strength, load ratings, etc).

 

[radioouman]

Bridgestone Dueller AT/2 on my truck.
I put them on my Dakota at 140,000 miles, and I have 196,000 on it (56,000 miles on the tires) now. They have excellent traction in the snow. They might be a tad soft, but I run them at 40 psi to improve handling in the summer. They are pretty well worn down (almost to the wear bars) but I'll make them last for the winter.

 

[iamwiz82]

BFG AT KOs are good tires. Not as good as MT KMs, but close.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
BFG AT KOs are good tires. Not as good as MT KMs, but close.

For $160+ each, they better be more that "good".

 

[bunker]

Whatever you get, make sure you put some weight in the bed of the truck. I had a 2wd Ranger when I lived in the U.P. of Michigan and put some super aggressive snow tires on it. Threw 400 lbs of weight in the back and I was pulling cars out of ditches in the snow with that thing.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: bunker
Whatever you get, make sure you put some weight in the bed of the truck. I had a 2wd Ranger when I lived in the U.P. of Michigan and put some super aggressive snow tires on it. Threw 400 lbs of weight in the back and I was pulling cars out of ditches in the snow with that thing.

My current tires definitely need to be replaced. I had up to 600 pounds of weight and still got stuck in 2" of packed snow (and these are supposedly good tires).