Truck tires

[Vicki A.]

Can't wait to see what I stir up on this one!

Getting time for new tires on my 2011 F150. I don't need anything with snow capabilities, but sometimes rain is an issue here, as is ALWAYS the heat.

Hoping for opinions....expert or not

Thanks gang,

[emers382]

Uh Vicki I would not agree with you as far as ALWAYS the heat.

The morning of March 5th in San Antonio after the trailer shook in the wind all night it was only 34 deg, and that was F not C, only plus one C. So it's not always hot there right?

Anyway sorry I have no suggestions for tires. When I go looking I need something for my truck that will do snow as well as (possible) hot winter TX.

Adrian

[Dave Walter]

I have found the tire survey results from TireRack to be of value. Check this link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Vicki A.

Can't wait to see what I stir up on this one!

Getting time for new tires on my 2011 F150. I don't need anything with snow capabilities, but sometimes rain is an issue here, as is ALWAYS the heat.

Hoping for opinions....expert or not

Thanks gang,

Michelin tires! Quite possibly the best rain tires, best wearing, most reliable. Expensive---Yes, but IMHO worth it.
I don't like changing tires on the road. I've never, ever had to with any Michelins. And that's about 1,000,000 miles on Michelins on all my vehicles since the 1970's.

[cpaharley2008]

I like Michelins and the Japenese brands, Yokohama and Bridgestone

[Jim Bennett]

I would suggest you employ the services of an experienced person at the tire shop you use, to give you sound advise. I really like shop I use, they know tires really well, and sell to you based on your needs, not what they makes the most money on that day.

It is great to get ideas what others use here, as well as their experiences, but I highly doubt anyone knows even 10% of the tires available. Not just brands, but the offerings each brand has.

On my F-350, and previous large pickups, I have used Goodyear Wranglers, and in that line there are at least 3 different models. They would not be a good choice for you. I buy them as they have a very aggressive tread, which gets me through almost any road condition, be it snow or mud, but they are not a great highway tire, which would be something to look for in a tow vehicle.

[thoer]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

I have found the tire survey results from TireRack to be of value. Check this link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp

I bought Hankook Dynapro HT based on Consumer Report's tests and tire ratings like the above at Tire Rack. In the CU tests, they rated almost the same as the top rated Michellin's except for tread wear and the price differential more than made up for a shorter lifespan.

I don't have many miles on them so far, but I was very satisfied with their traction in the snow last winter and road noise is acceptable.

[Donna D.]

I buy my tires from Les Schwab here in PDX. I think there's a Les Schwab in nearly every town in Oregon and Washington. Service is never a problem. Tires are great, quiet! competitively priced, built for WET and I typically get 60,000 miles out of a set. Sorry there's not a LS in your area.

[gbaglo]

I put Yokohama Geolander light truck tires on my Ford Explorer because I wanted seven ply and strong sidewalls. As they wore, I ended up with the noisiest vehicle on the road.
My point being that which tire depends on what your requirements are, even between tires from the same company.

[TAfraser]

I usually put Michelin's on my Hondas, the Ridgeline being my tow vehicle, and have been very pleased with the traction, wear, and noise. My 74 Bronco is a different story. Most off-roaders use BF Goodrich tires, (they wear like steel) although the Yokohama brand builds the quietest murders on the market. I guess what I'm trying to say is, there's a tire for every situation and use, you just have to decide which one fits your requirements best.

Oh, try Costco, they seem to have the best prices, if they have the tire you want, and they are virtually everywhere you may need them.
Tom

[Rossue]

I like Michelins; never heard of Hankook until my tire dealer recommended them for my son's Ford E150 van. Am seeing more of them lately.

Also like Costco, but buying tires there is an unnecessary hassle IMO. My local tire dealer will meet or beat their prices and then doing rotations is way easier going forward.

[TAfraser]

Is your local tire dealer nation wide, like Costco? Just saying!

[Rossue]

Nooo....but when was the last time you needed "nation wide" service for your tire?

[Jim Bennett]

I bought at Costco once. They wouldn't let me book an appointment, and it cost me way more in time wasted than the little money I saved. Plus, they didn't sound or act very competent. Tires are just something I want a pro dealing with.

[Dave Walter]

I have also been disappointed with Costco prices and service, and will not go back without a compelling reason.

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I bought at Costco once. They wouldn't let me book an appointment, and it cost me way more in time wasted than the little money I saved. Plus, they didn't sound or act very competent. Tires are just something I want a pro dealing with.

Definitely on the same page there Jim

Costco sets the bar for customer satisfaction and their return policy is the gold standard. In this ever increasing competitive environment more & more businesses are adopting the same or very similar policy. They know taking care of the customer is crucial. I have never bought a special warranty for tires because I know its the outside chance anything will go wrong. If it does that's what the spare is for.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Michelin tires! Quite possibly the best rain tires, best wearing, most reliable. Expensive---Yes, but IMHO worth it.
I don't like changing tires on the road. I've never, ever had to with any Michelins. And that's about 1,000,000 miles on Michelins on all my vehicles since the 1970's.

My thoughts too Don . Love them . Pat

[Brian B-P]

If you have a great tire person available, that's helpful. If you are not a great tire person yourself, I don't know how you know if you are dealing with a slick salesman or an actually useful technical expertise. Consumers have reported some strange things they have been told by people behind tire store counters... and remember, in tire retailing "professional" just means "gets paid to sell tires".

I think that even better than the opinion of one person selling tires is the combined expertise of the manufacturer of the vehicle and the entire tire industry. That means read the specs for the truck (stock size, gross axle weight ratings) and any tire you're considering (such as load capacity).

At the very least, I suggest learning the difference between the Tire & Rim Association's "P", and "LT" types, and commercial vehicle tires... and knowing what your truck came with.

It's also worth noting that within a single brand there is typically a wide range of tire models, of widely varying characteristics. It makes sense to stay with trusted brands, but the selection process doesn't end there.

If you are considering changing tire size - not just picking a brand and model - the choice gets a lot more complicated.

[TAfraser]

I agree Brian, I have also been told some wild things by so-called professionals at local tire stores and am glad I did some research before entering their establishment.

I've also been told by a local tire vendor that they won't even try competing with Costco because their prices are too low. That was many years ago and things may have changed, (I haven't shopped elsewhere since). But I also haven't had any issues with Costco or their service. And appointments, while convenient for those who plan, are bothersome to those who need immediate assistance, like for a flat.

And, the last trip we and my cousins were on, they had two flats on their fifth wheel two states from home. A national tire store would have come in handy if their tires would have been under warranty.

[padlin]

FWIW... Had Cooper Discoverer H/T's on my 09 GMC 1/2T, they are all weather and quiet. Not the best in the snow up here, but good when it's wet. Found if you know the tires you want the tire shop will order them for you if they don't carry them. Else wise they point you to whatever is closest that they have in stock.
The 2012 F150 came with BF Goodrich All Terrain but it's 4x4 with load E's. 35K miles so far and a good ways to go, no complaints in snow or rain, hard to tell how quiet they are as I haven't had anything else on the truck.