Good tow tires for SRW? - Diesel Forum

FastDEW · 04-10-2006, 02:06 AM

I have to keep changing my tires on my SRW SuperDuty because of towing heavy. The truck either pulls a 36 foot 5er or a 28 foot car hauler. I rarely drive the truck when not towing. So what tire will last. I realize that it is a SRW, but it is paid for, so I am not looking for a new DRW with a payment. Hoping to find a tire that will hold up a while on the SRW while towing heavy.

I am looking at the BFG Commercial T/A but I am not sure. People also talk highly about the AT Revo but, again, nobody seems to talk much about tire life under heavy loads.

Actually the stock Steeltex lasted the longest and handled the best out of all that I have tried. I am thinking about the Transforce replacement but not sure of the changes.

Any advice?

Thanks!

BarrySmith · 04-10-2006, 06:02 AM

I got 32000 miles out of a set of Revo's pulling HEAVY! They are a great tire!

pandersen · 04-10-2006, 08:12 AM

I tow a reasonable amount and have been using Michelin LTX m/s. I get about 50K and they handle well. I live in an area where snow is not a problem so that is why I chose these tires. They also are very quiet on the highway. I have found that when towing the key is to set the tire pressure to the amount needed for tongue weight. Most of the time that is 65- 70 PSI for me.As this is my daily driver also, I drive with 60psi when I'm not towing.

firefighter9208 · 04-10-2006, 08:23 AM

I have the Firestone Transforce A/T 265/75/16 and love them. They have 15,000 miles on them and still look new. They are somewhat aggressive, but not too much road noise. I pull a Keystone Cougar 314EFS, 34' fifth wheel, and 16' bumper pull loaded heavy quite frequently.

My SRW 2wd was very easy to get "stuck" with Michelin LTX M/S. I couldn't even pull a trailer of hay into the pasture. With the Firestone Transforce A/T I have had much less troubles getting "stuck" and can now pull a trailer into the pasture w/o getting "stuck" on wet grass. JMHO [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

Firefighter9208

Riggodeaux · 04-10-2006, 12:12 PM

Ditto on the 'E' rated Michelin LTX. I use them much as does sailboatin. I'm over 50k on them, most unloaded but regular towing of 7500-10k added trailer/load. I inflate to 55-75k, following the load table. Good on dry or wet pavement, but slick on the drive wheels on wet grass/pastures. No snow/ice experience to speak of. These are not, by any means, for a/t or off road use, but a long wearing, stable, fine handling and riding tire for on road use and loads. I have found the Michelin/Bilstein shock combination [on a 2wd] a great improvement over stock, loaded or not. Smokey vouches for the Michelin highway ribs as well.

FastDEW · 04-10-2006, 02:04 PM

What did you guys pay for the Michelin LTX? Is there a good place to get them?

I have been running E rated tires but I always set mine at 80 PSI because the truck is loaded >90% of the time. I am not sure of my pin weight but he GCW of the truck and 5er is at 21,000 lbs.

The worst tire I have tried is the Dunlop Rover Radial AT. That tire makes the truck feel squirly and the thing wears out fast. I was using mostly AT's but maybe I should use the highway rib or All Seasons. I am on highway most of the time, but I do venture into dirt occasionaly and I have pulled many times in light snow. If the snow is too deep, I don't go that direction [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks!

Riggodeaux · 04-10-2006, 03:33 PM

Got mine through tirerack.com, around $145 plus shipping/install in '03. Last year, had a valve stem crack at highway speed, tearing up a sidewall. I replaced the tire with one from a local Discount Tire; they gave me a warranty tire wear credit and I believe I paid around $150, balanced and installed. Check with them. I seem to recall that some have gotten them at Costco, too. You'll appreciate the LTX m/s on dry and wet pavement - a very good handling, smooth riding tire in those conditions. I've had bad luck with wear on Dunlops, too, on cars.

pandersen · 04-10-2006, 06:41 PM

I've shopped around and the best price has been Costco. My store has to order them as they do not carry in stock. I've recently learned that you can order online w/Costco and have them delivered to the store of your choice and when they arrive you can schedule an installation. I've used Tirerack for tires for my Car but have not found their prices competitive for the LTX's. The other problem I have is where I am located There is no Tirerack installer so the shop I have to use zing's me for installation. All in all, I keep going back to Costco. They recently have been filling the tires with Nitrogen as apposed to regular air. The theory is that there is virtually no change in pressure w/te,p changes. This I find is true. However, when I told them about adjusting the pressure for different loads and possibly having to add pressure and then remove later, they just stared at me like I was looney. Anyway, That is one drawback w/nitrogen unless you want to set it and forget it.

NickKent · 04-10-2006, 07:07 PM

I like cooper discoverer AT's. Make sure that you rotate your tires alot. that will help. The Cooper C140 is pricey, but it can be retreaded. That might work for you.

Larry M · 04-10-2006, 07:44 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I like cooper discoverer AT's. Make sure that you rotate your tires alot. that will help. The Cooper C140 is pricey, but it can be retreaded. That might work for you.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been running the Cooper Discoverer ATRs now for around 4k miles and really like them so far, but can't comment much on the traction etc., but they have gotten good reveiws from other TDS owners and are considerably cheaper than the Michelins.

Larry

danster · 04-10-2006, 08:10 PM

My vote is for the Micheline LTX. Best tire I ever gotten on any truck. I just hope they'll make the 18 inch for the newer Super Duties soon.

Dan

05F250PS · 04-10-2006, 11:33 PM

Michelin LTX is mentioned several times on this thread. The only "E" rated tire is the LTX A/S.

Note that Michelin has several other "LTX" versions, so make sure you get the right one.

We don't have a Costco around here but Sam's will also order your tires for you at a reasonable price, best in these parts anyway...

BarrySmith · 04-11-2006, 06:17 AM

I'm running the Cooper ATR's now for about 6000 miles and they do well in rain and snow. So far I'm really impressed. They were $140/tire compared to the Revo's at $180/tire. I liked the Revo's but they are pricey!

pabrannan · 04-11-2006, 08:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Michelin LTX is mentioned several times on this thread. The only "E" rated tire is the LTX A/S.

Note that Michelin has several other "LTX" versions, so make sure you get the right one.

We don't have a Costco around here but Sam's will also order your tires for you at a reasonable price, best in these parts anyway...

[/ QUOTE ]

Not true the LTX M/S can be had in "E" rating. How do I know?? I have a set on my X, and I have a tire chart from Michelin.

JMHO.......

Paul B

Paul B

FastDEW · 04-11-2006, 12:53 PM

Guys, thanks for all of the input. I will try a set of LTX E rated. Looks like I am headed for Costco! Just gotta keep my wife from buying everything in the store [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks!