Tires for Tow Vehicle

[WillyB]

The tires on my F150 4x4 are going to need to be replace next summer, or sooner, so I thought I’d start this thread.

My truck came with Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT’s. With 57K on them they still look pretty good for a 60K rated tire. They ride soft and quiet.

Considering the Michelin LTX defenders because the do better in rain and snow than the GY’s. I’ve heard great things on the BF Goodrich KO2’s but those are 10 ply tires.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[SageRpod]

I was leaning towards KO2's as well but my son-in-law almost has me talked into Falken Wildpeak AT3w. He has them on his "zombie-apocolypse" ready Tacoma and says they are quieter than the KO2s, wear better and less money. All that said, I have been very happy with the OEM supplied Michelin Primacy XC on our F150. They are quiet, plenty grippy, and, most importantly, you can get them at Costco (last time I checked).

[JohnK]

We're on our second set of Michelins from Costco on a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500. We changed out the first set at 70,000 miles on an 80,000 tire which has been discontinued by Michelin. Our present set of tires are 70,000 mile tires. We've been happy with them. Costco rotates marking down the brands they carry so you might wait for the Michelin brand to be marked diown.

John

[D&L]

I use the Michelin Defender LTX MS on all my TV at 40psi.

[SageRpod]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Costco rotates marking down the brands they carry so you might wait for the Michelin brand to be marked diown.

John

Just happens that Michelins are on sale now at Costco. $100 off set of 4 Defender LTX. Sale ends 10/22.

I'm not affiliated with Costco but I should be given the number of hot dogs I've eaten there

[Selkirk]

I tend to prefer Michelin tires and have been very happy with the Defender LTX's fitted to my TV. I think their price premium over some of the other brands is worth the added peace of mind.

I agree that an LT "E" rating (10 ply) is overkill for any load that an F150 is going to carry. However, I would strongly consider a LT "C" rating (6 ply) as an alternative over the standard "P" version....if they are offered in the size that you need.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by D&L

I use the Michelin Defender LTX MS on all my TV at 40psi.

Times Two
I run 42 rear 40 front. The set I have on now has 70,000 on them and they are at 4/32. I’ll buy new ones before winter. Probably about Veterans Day. The original Michelin Latitudes went 62,000 miles and could have done another 5 to 8 thousand the way they were wearing but discretion is the better part of valor. Instead of paying for disposal, the used tire guy gave me $5 each so a $40 turn around.
Iowa Dave

[Rockhead]

Michelin Defenders. Been running them for yrs. Always got 70;000 miles out of them love the traction in dry rain or snowy weather.. they do pretty good traveling the backroads in the mountains.

[Pauly D]

I loved bf Goodrich kO2s on my 08 jeep commander. Great tire in all weather but much appreciated during harsh Manitoba winters. I never found them noisy. With current jeep GC, we have the stock ecotopias and michelen x snow or ice (whatever the current generation). KO2s were still good at about 65,000 miles when we traded the commander. Nothing but good to say about those tires. From highway in summer to ice fishing in deep snow, an all around great tire imo.

[rubicon327]

If you don't need an overly aggressive tread and want a quiet, long-lasting tire with good traction in most conditions I am another fan of the Michelin Defender LTX. Great tires.

[Pauly D]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

If you don't need an overly aggressive tread and want a quiet, long-lasting tire with good traction in most conditions I am another fan of the Michelin Defender LTX. Great tires.

I agree. I wouldn't put k02s on our current Jeep GC because of their more aggressive tread. This is more aesthetic than functional, however; I barely noticed their noise and their performance in all conditions was excellent. Take care, Paul

[MarkinVan]

I've been happy with my BF Goodridge KO2's. They are still going strong after 60,000 km's and their snow performance has also been good.

[WillyB]

I was thinking about the KO2's because they were a 10 ply tire and thought they would add protection for those boon docking roads.

I had the LTX's on a previous truck and they seemed to never wear out. I got rid of them after 85,000 miles because they got too hard/slippery but they still had plenty of tread left.

[iamunique127]

I started using Michelin LTX AT tires in LT designation many years ago and have stayed with them after Michelin changed to the AT2. I'm on my fifth set and usually get 100,000km from a set if I don't sell them with the vehicle first. One set turned 125,000km. When I get a vehicle the first thing I do is put on the Michelins.

I'm due for another set next spring when I change out my winter tires for summer tires, but this is mostly due to age. The current ones will be 10 years old because I don't put on many everyday km since I retired.

I like them because they are a bit rugged, last a long time and are quiet. I'd love to go with WildPeak ATs but they have to be noisier with all those lugs. I'm open to the idea of Defenders seeing as many of you like them.

I personally don't know if there is any truth to it but in the past my Michelin dealer told me the Michelins sold by Costco are different tires than the Michelins sold by dealers, like, a version made just for Costco, but I don't recall what the difference is.

[WillyB]

Originally Posted by iamunique127

I started using Michelin LTX AT tires in LT designation many years ago and have stayed with them after Michelin changed to the AT2. I'm on my fifth set and usually get 100,000km from a set if I don't sell them with the vehicle first. One set turned 125,000km. When I get a vehicle the first thing I do is put on the Michelins.

I'm due for another set next spring when I change out my winter tires for summer tires, but this is mostly due to age. The current ones will be 10 years old because I don't put on many everyday km since I retired.

I like them because they are a bit rugged, last a long time and are quiet. I'd love to go with WildPeak ATs but they have to be noisier with all those lugs. I'm open to the idea of Defenders seeing as many of you like them.

I personally don't know if there is any truth to it but in the past my Michelin dealer told me the Michelins sold by Costco are different tires than the Michelins sold by dealers, like, a version made just for Costco, but I don't recall what the difference is.

How is the ride?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by WillyB

How is the ride?

Hi: WillyB... When I retired the Wranglers off our Ram 1500 I went with my usual replacement tire 20" Toyo HT. (highway tread). Not quite as cushy but quiet and they last n last. Somewhat less than Michelin or Bridgestone but equal to the challenge. Just my 2 cents worth. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by WillyB

How is the ride?

I find the LTX AT2 to ride smooth and quiet.

I reduce the air to around 34psi when empty and up them to 55psi when towing the Escape.

[Ian and Sue]

Originally Posted by iamunique127

I find the LTX AT2 to ride smooth and quiet.

I reduce the air to around 34psi when empty and up them to 55psi when towing the Escape.

Another vote for the Michelin tires...smooth, quiet and long lasting. The only thing here in the mountains is that I run REAL snow tires in the winter(x ice, blizzack etc)...the LTX are not snow tires for around here! Two sets of expensive tires!

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by Ian and Sue

Another vote for the Michelin tires...smooth, quiet and long lasting. The only thing here in the mountains is that I run REAL snow tires in the winter(x ice, blizzack etc)...the LTX are not snow tires for around here! Two sets of expensive tires!

True. Not snow tires.
I have a separate set of tires for winter.

[Keith3]

On my F150 I had some very road oriented continentals that were really great. Highly rated in the wet and dry, very passenger vehicle oriented. Rated to be very quiet. Then I moved to the country and they started getting lots of holes from small nails and such. When I took them in to the shop I had two or three plugs and two new nails that I could see.

I just got some KO2s and they are certainly a bit more rugged feeling. Smooth on the highway but a bit more resistant in tight maneuvers in parking lots. Nothing awful, just a tad more truck feeling. I was really nervous they would be loud, but that has not been an issue.

One issue is that I have 20 inch wheels and the aggressive tread looks a bit silly on 40 series tires. But I got over that pretty quickly.

I know the K02s aren’t nail proof, but that have to be a bit more nail resistant.