Need some real life advice

I ran a set of Steeltex 4 RS on my 97 3/4 T and they were the best tires I had, short of the Michelins I have now. Craig

We've had Firestone Transforce on two separate trucks, and one of our fivers. The one we have now doesn't need tires, but when it does, we'll likely buy Transforce for that one as well. Ran well and long for us, and in my opinion, is the best bang for the buck out there. As for HT versus AT, I'd go with the AT if you're looking for the best traction in snow, especially if you're 2 wheel drive. We had AT's on our 2WD 2500, and was surprised at the lack of singing on the highway. Unlike other AT tires, the tread pattern on the outside of the tire is closed, which helps reduce the noise. Chose HT for our current 3500 as it's 4WD. In any case, I don't think you'd be unhappy with Firestone Transforce. Lots of them out there.

JayGee wrote:
Unless you want a very aggressive mud or snow tread, my choice would always be the Michelin LTX MS. Not dissing your tire choice but I have always had great service with the LTX MS tires. Granted, I probably get no snow compared to your location.

I've got to agree with you. Have had LTX MS on a couple of trucks here in Colorado. Just a great all around tire for daily driving, snow, and towing. Besides that they wear like iron long as you rotate them and maintain proper inflation. Can't wait till the tires on current truck need replacing.

Had very good luck with transforce load range E.

.

(IMO) You would get lots more input (replies) if you posted in the
*Tow Vehicle* forum.

~

I've had FR380 on light trucks (OEM on Ford) and while they gave only about 24,000 miles wear until I was not comfortable keeping them for the coming winter (would have likely been good for another 8-10,000 dry weather driving), they were much smoother, rounder, quieter than the supposedly premium Cooper tires I bought to replace them (Trendsetter STE).

Firestone also has more premium. tires (performance, high mileage, agressive treads) that fit light trucks or SUVs, Destination series particularly, or the Transforce commercial line used on 3/4 ton to 1 1/2 ton trucks and delivery vehicles. I'm familiar with Transforce HT on 12,000-14,000 pound vans, think they are just as good as Goodyear's equivalent Wrangler HT or the beefed up, E-rated version of the tread patterns and sizes that carry the extra ply.

None of these are the equivalent of Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin all-steel commercial tires made available in a few sizes small enough for a 1/2 ton truck, if modified to use the heavy duty wheels these tires need. But chances are you are looking for tires to fit the wheels you have, that's going to limit inflation pressures and carrying capacity, and I don't think you will find tires of that type in any other brand to be significantly better than Bridgestone's Firestone brand.

I appreciate that advice, I had been doing a lot of heavy looking at the TransForce and at this point am leaning very hard towards them. I can appreciate the one's who pointed me towards the Michelin's however I have had several sets over the years and I'm not at all impressed in there price vs. wear compared to others. I was wanting to lean towards Firestone this time and pretty much leaning towards the TransForce AT it looks like.

I had the transforce AT on my gmc and they are a good tire. I don't think you will be disappointed.

We have the bridgstone dualer AT on our suburban and are on our second set, we are in Nebraska and get plenty of snow and we live 2 miles down gravel off the nearest highway. They seem to wear well for the abuse we put on them pulling a pontoon boat and a horse trailer.

I had destination A/T's on a Jeep Liberty. They were great at first but as they wore they got real noisy.