Steer vs. Drive Tires

Another thought. Some tires are said to be better at breaking than others. Some tires are better than others for traction in mud and snow. Considering 60 to 70% (about) of the braking is done by the front axle, and the drive axle needs the traction, perhaps tires should be different on the front and rear. At least on a 2WD truck.

Wayne

With the typical SRW pickup, and TC, I wonder if you could really tell the difference with steer tires in front and drive tires in the rear?

I find it interesting that some people are really serious about rotating their tires, and yet others (big rigs) cannot rotate due to drive tires in the rear and steer tires in the front. It kind makes me wonder which method is of the greatest importance.

Years ago, I was told the only reason to rotate the tires is so they all wear out at the same time.

Wayne

jimh425 wrote:
It sounds like you would be better off with a less aggressive tire that is the same front and rear which will allow you to rotate tires.

I do like the idea of being able to rotate my tires as I do with all of my other sets of tires. I always mount them ontheir own rims so that is not an issue.

I guess I missed one other option ... that is to go with steer tires on the front and drive tires on the back. Again, that takes away the rotating option.

Anyone out there use a "hybrid" steer/drive tire like this one?

GT Radial Steer & Drive Tire

It sounds like you would be better off with a less aggressive tire that is the same front and rear which will allow you to rotate tires.

Super_Dave wrote:
"Drive" tires conjures up visions of "all terrain" or "off-road" use. Do you do much traveling down the off beat goat roads?

You brought up a good issue Super Dave ... that is how do we use our TC? We're pretty much highway, asphalt roads & tight packed gravel road travelers/campers (as in going to and staying at provincial/state parks etc). We do not go off the beaten trail to the back "forty" to boondock or camp. We don't rock climb or do anything close to that. Although we do have a 4x4 truck, it's mostly about inclement weather vs. explore the regions beyond the beaten paths.

The wildest place we'd go is maybe onto a beach ... and even then, it would have to be hard packed and with narrower "pizza cutter" tires, I would not risk it. There is a possibility we'd might take the odd winter trip to FL from Canada meaning perhaps traveling through snow/ice conditions for part of the journey.

From what I've read, the ribbed tread designs are quieter, track better and are worse for wet/snow traction if used on the rear drive wheels. The lugged tread designed tires have better traction but are noisier, wander more as steer tires and can wear/tear up if used in the front steer position.

Then there are those tires that have both ribbed and lugged features in their tread design that are said to be OK for both steer and drive use. I'm sort of leaning towards a hybrid like these or ... simply going with a ribbed tire front and back. I also have a set of Michelin LT M&S2 tires for summer when not hauling the TC and a set of snow rated tires for winter when not hauling the TC.

My '06 Ford F350 SC was 4x4. I ran Hankook DH-01 245/70R 19.5s for over 7 years until I traded it. I never considered not getting drive for all 4 wheels. I'm sure they are probably harder to steer than "steer" tires. However, I didn't have a problem steering.

When I bought the F450, it had steer tires on front and drive tires on rear. Again, it's a 4x4. I immediately switched to Hankook DH-01 225/R70 19.5 drive tires all around. Like the F350, I had no issues steering with drive tires up front. Note: there is some wandering and tracking with 19.5s, but I think it has more to do with air pressure than tread pattern.

If I had two wheel drive or was sure to never have a use for 4x4, I'd consider steer tires. Otherwise, there is an advantage of having exactly the same tires front and rear for rotating and also traction.

I went with drive tires on all four corners so that they could be rotated front to rear plus give maximum traction in 4wd. The downside to using drive tires on the front is the tread is louder on the road and they don't track as nicely as the steer tires.

Your signature states 4X4, so your steering tires are drive tires; at least when in 4X4 mode. I think keeping the same exact tire in all positions is desirable to avoid extra wear on the drive components when in 4X4 mode caused by tires that might not have the exact same number of revolutions per mile.

"Drive" tires conjures up visions of "all terrain" or "off-road" use. Do you do much traveling down the off beat goat roads?