New Tire help...

Our Michelin AT2 (245/75-R16 LR: E) are just a hair over 6 years old (when bought, the date stamp as 2 months from manufacture date). Early this spring, the front passenger tire was cracking along walls for ~ 7 inches, from tread up to rim edge. Now, we're at September, and 3 tires are side-wall cracked. The tires have 28,000 KMS on them, and have never been aired down for beach driving, and maintained meticulously (air pressure always checked early morning just before use, and topped up if needed). These tires have never seen "rubber protectant" sprays or gimmicks to shine them up.

In retrospect, i suppose we are satisfied with these tires (notwithstanding the low mileage before tire cracking). From anecdotal write-ups on the LTX Micheline genre, we will go with something else this time (Goodyear DuraTrac LR: E at 265/75-R16). They are ranked the #1 On-/Off-Road Commercial Traction tire in North America, with a very large sample statistic of 7.5 million reported miles/stastic. The #2 is Michelin XPS Traction (at 670k road miles statistic); and #3 is BFGoodrich Commercial T/A Traction (at 1.16 million road miles statistic). I had really wanted to consider Cooper AT3 tires, but there is a very, very low sample statistic on them, and what few reviews I could find were very up and down: a good cohort absolutely hated them, and a good cohort loved them: this s worrying to me. The LTX AT2 Michelin (the ones we want to replace) have a very low "would buy again" statistic, but are #3 in the all terrain category.

The only worry have on the DuraTrac prospects is: balancing. Some are having a tough time balancing LR: E grade DuraTracs. Of the Michelin tires we have now, only 2 needed any balancing weight whatsoever (!)

I am running the Nitto Terra Grapplers because they come in 3,750 lb capacity E range in 285/70R17. I actually wish the 285/75s were the same weight capacity because the 285/70s are a bit short for me and the engine screams pretty good....

But if any Michelin all terrain were available for my size that's what I'd run, no matter what the price. Sadly, there isn't; the Michelins offered are D load range.

For the last 15 years, I've been running the BFG TA KO's. Great tires.

I just switched to the Toyo Open Country AT II's. I think I like the Toyo's better: comparable wet, snow and off road traction, quieter, better looking, and less prone to picking up pebbles in the treads.

Thanks Kbaum,

Curious.. What is the GVWR and payload for your 2012 Ram?

Nice looking rig!!!

Wintersun,

X2 with posts above.. Ride is not that much rougher than my stock set up bought new off lot in 2006. The Dodge ram ctd 4x 4 is a kidney basher period. Best investment i made for hauling a heavy truck camper with a SRW truck hands down..as far as a spare i use a Nitto terra in spare tire storage.. Same height and width.. Going to buy a 19.5 spare since i just learned a 19.5 will fit up there. Really spent an extra 900.00 bucks for wheels. One spends around a 1000.00 or more for regular 16" or 17" tires anyways.. The increase of wheel rating... 4500 lb. each and tires rating of 4800 lbs. each is worth it IMHO.

As far as spare tire fitment, my 245/19.5 spare fits perfectly in the same place my other spare fit, under the bed of the truck. I have a five tire rotation going on so these should last a long time!

As a 19.5 guy...the extra cost is offset see my post above, you actually gain over the life of the tires...unless you are one who trades in a truck beofre you ware them out...My truck will be into the 200K mark when my 19.5 need changing.

Ride quality empty is a bit rough, but I'll trade that any day for the ride characteristics loaded up.

No need for a spare: 1. the OEM wheel and tire diameter will be very close to the 19.5. 2. Besides if you are running a dually you got 6 on the ground. 3. What is the flat rate for these commercial tires being used on a pick-up, very low! And if you do get a puncture or air loss situation call your towing folks to change the tire around until you can get to a place...POINT being your statements don't really hold much water...other than the initail outlay of funds. If you can do it you will gain the milage advantage and benefit from control and stability. Plus they look good...makes the truck and TC look like you mean business. But that was an added bennie in my case it was the terrible tire OEM size tire ware out senario that sold me.

billyray50 wrote:

805gregg wrote:
I just bought some Nitto Dura Grapplers, great tire with stiff sidewall to help with sway load rage E 3750 lbs

Depending on the size my durra 285/75r/17s were rated at 3970 lbs. at 80 psi. They were nice tire but no comparison to the 16 ply 19.5 tire improvement in sway and control..

And no comparison in ride quality when the camper is out of your truck.
And only cost you an extra $2,000. And exactly where do you carry the 19.5 spare tire?

Love my BFG TA's 3750lb load. Wear and ride excellent along with excellent traction. Tried and true.