Chevy 2500HD Tires
Looking for new tires for a Chevy 2500HD. Street tires only, no all-terrain, no mud, no snow. 16" rims. What do you recommend? Thanks
Forum Discussion
Gulfcoast,
If you want very quiet tires with superb traction and very long wearing, go with Michelin LTX MS/2 "E" (80 PSI) tires. I strongly suggest going one tire size higher than the OEM size. Like for example: 265 vs 245 size. The OEM's are at the minimum size for the truck's rated GVWR. Having 3415 capacity vs 3040 is lowering your % tire load by ~10%. Thus the higher capacity tire will not be at 100% capacity like the OEM size would be.
Michelin's cost more initially than the run of the mill tires/brands but will give higher mileage quiet wear life so cheaper in the long run. My personal and business pickups consistently got between 89K and 97K miles before replacing with another same size Michelin tire and they were always replaced when the tread depth got below 3mm or 1/8 inch left so they were not near bald yet.
My trucks (2500's and 3500's and mostly all GM) were usually always loaded with cargo's over 1500 to 3000+ lbs in weight. They are used as trucks not grocery getters! The cargo weight in the truck's rear transfers its weight force to the truck's rear tires with pressure on the tire's tread and sidewalls which of course causes sidewall flexing. Flexing creates tire heat buildup. Sidewall carcass design strength and high tire inflation is what incredibly important as it is what supports the weight put on the tire. Michelin LTX tires are designed to handle the weight. Many tire brands have much weaker sidewalls and they flex a lot and heat builds up.
Keep your tires always inflated to over 70 psi or to 80 psi so the tire flexing is kept to minimum on highways speed traveling as it's heat that accelerates thread wear and compromises the tire carcass structure. Consistently rotate your tires at each 5000 to 6000 miles. DO NOT use any tire shine type chemicals/coatings on any tire as it causes the rubber to develop small cracks which only get bigger and deeper. Tire shine using is for car shows or when getting a best trade in value number!!!
If you want very quiet tires with superb traction and very long wearing, go with Michelin LTX MS/2 "E" (80 PSI) tires. I strongly suggest going one tire size higher than the OEM size. Like for example: 265 vs 245 size. The OEM's are at the minimum size for the truck's rated GVWR. Having 3415 capacity vs 3040 is lowering your % tire load by ~10%. Thus the higher capacity tire will not be at 100% capacity like the OEM size would be.
Michelin's cost more initially than the run of the mill tires/brands but will give higher mileage quiet wear life so cheaper in the long run. My personal and business pickups consistently got between 89K and 97K miles before replacing with another same size Michelin tire and they were always replaced when the tread depth got below 3mm or 1/8 inch left so they were not near bald yet.
My trucks (2500's and 3500's and mostly all GM) were usually always loaded with cargo's over 1500 to 3000+ lbs in weight. They are used as trucks not grocery getters! The cargo weight in the truck's rear transfers its weight force to the truck's rear tires with pressure on the tire's tread and sidewalls which of course causes sidewall flexing. Flexing creates tire heat buildup. Sidewall carcass design strength and high tire inflation is what incredibly important as it is what supports the weight put on the tire. Michelin LTX tires are designed to handle the weight. Many tire brands have much weaker sidewalls and they flex a lot and heat builds up.
Keep your tires always inflated to over 70 psi or to 80 psi so the tire flexing is kept to minimum on highways speed traveling as it's heat that accelerates thread wear and compromises the tire carcass structure. Consistently rotate your tires at each 5000 to 6000 miles. DO NOT use any tire shine type chemicals/coatings on any tire as it causes the rubber to develop small cracks which only get bigger and deeper. Tire shine using is for car shows or when getting a best trade in value number!!!
