Replacing Tires on my GMC
My tow vehicle is a 2017 GMC 2500HD. The original tires are Firestone LT225/75R17, they only have 23000 miles. I have rotated these tires at every oil change approx. every 5000 miles. All four tires ...
Forum Discussion
My neighbor had a terrific blowout with Michelin LTX tires purchased at Costco.
Took out the entire side of the pickup bed of his GMC. Tires had just been rotated, so it is assumed that the blown tire was previously on the steer axle.
$3,500 body shop bill.
With GM vehicles, I replace with the original equipment production tire, if still available, that matches GM's OEM Tire Performance Criteria ratings.
Some people assume that OEM manufacturers award tire contracts to the lowest bidder, without regard for the tire performance criteria, and without vetting.
I don't think this makes much sense. With the light truck market as competitive as it is in the USA, consumer purchase decisions between brands are finalized on the test drive. Where the rubber meets the road. And that rubber is one of the most influential factors in ride and handling... and ride and handling is the most influential factor in affecting how prospective purchasers feel and experience that test drive. So for a vehicle manufacturer to simply put the cheapest possible tire on their trucks in order to save money, but lose the sale, doesn't make much sense.
The OEM tire has already been thoroughly tested and vetted by GM, in the Arizona desert, on the Colorado mountains, in the North Dakota winter, and on the Michigan test track. Why not take advantage of all the testing and vetting that you already paid for with the price of the truck?
Took out the entire side of the pickup bed of his GMC. Tires had just been rotated, so it is assumed that the blown tire was previously on the steer axle.
$3,500 body shop bill.
With GM vehicles, I replace with the original equipment production tire, if still available, that matches GM's OEM Tire Performance Criteria ratings.
Some people assume that OEM manufacturers award tire contracts to the lowest bidder, without regard for the tire performance criteria, and without vetting.
I don't think this makes much sense. With the light truck market as competitive as it is in the USA, consumer purchase decisions between brands are finalized on the test drive. Where the rubber meets the road. And that rubber is one of the most influential factors in ride and handling... and ride and handling is the most influential factor in affecting how prospective purchasers feel and experience that test drive. So for a vehicle manufacturer to simply put the cheapest possible tire on their trucks in order to save money, but lose the sale, doesn't make much sense.
The OEM tire has already been thoroughly tested and vetted by GM, in the Arizona desert, on the Colorado mountains, in the North Dakota winter, and on the Michigan test track. Why not take advantage of all the testing and vetting that you already paid for with the price of the truck?
