Tire recommendations for pick up truck for towing

time2roll wrote:
I run top line Goodyear.

Before that GSA on truck when I bought it, then Duratrac. I only have run Unisteel versions in 16 & 19.5" sizes. I liked them.

Looking forward to doing duratrac's in the snow here in cascades and Puget sound lowlands. Have std Eaton locker in rear. Typical front dive axle. Should get around well. The few I know with them, do like them. Do have a bit more road noise than I would like. They are quiet for a traction oriented tire. Not as quiet as AT3's I had on 2500.

Marty

I run top line Goodyear.

The Duratrac is pretty dam good tire in the snow. I was surprised at how good it was. They were on a ZR2 I had, that little truck was nearly unstoppable in snow, especially with both ends locked up.

I went with 10 ply on my 1500, went up a size from a 265-65-18 XL to a 285-65-18. Lost 3 mpg, not sure it's due to a half in taller radius, or that they are 10-15 lbs heavier, or combo of the two.
Reality, I had no issues pulling an 8500 lb trailer with the 265s. They were plenty of tire at 2500 per tire at 45-50 psi. Current tires are good to 4000 at 80 psi. Two tires can carry my legal 8000 gvw! I've yet to have these tires over 40-45 psi, just like previous.
So with this in mind, choose a tread pattern that fits you driving style etc. I got GY Duratrac vs the GSA I had. Duratrac are way better wet traction than GSA. Reality, I was thinking a Cooper AT3, probably be a better tire for how I drive. Not as traction oriented, but good in wet NW concrete snow. I've had those before. No snow driving as of yet with Duratrac. They should work fine. Now to find some chains for them when it's crazy deep and wet where I am, crazies are out with an AWD and hwy tires doing 60 everywhere, then donuts when they hit the brakes....

Get XL or load range C at max. You don't NEED E rated tires if you stay under your 4000 GRAWR! This is the first full size half ton style truck I've owned. A few midgets, ie S-10, Toyota/Nissans from 79's/80's. Then 8lug 25/35 series SW/DW rigs, and MDT's with 14 & 16 ply tires.

Marty

valhalla360 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Whatever you choose be sure it's a "D" or "E" load range.

Look up the axle rating then pick a "Load Index Rating" that meets or exceeds the axle rating.

Load E can have a variety of actual load ratings. The letter grades are an old system from the days when they added extra plys to the tire to make it stronger. The more plys the further into the alphabet the letter grade went.

Modern tires don't add plys. They change the steel in the tire without adding plys.

Load Index Rating gives you the actual capability in pounds.

And yet, any tire in an applicable size for any of the common rim sizes on that truck will have a Load Index that is somewhere between adequate at the very worst case and overkill. Most will be overkill.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Whatever you choose be sure it's a "D" or "E" load range.

Look up the axle rating then pick a "Load Index Rating" that meets or exceeds the axle rating.

Load E can have a variety of actual load ratings. The letter grades are an old system from the days when they added extra plys to the tire to make it stronger. The more plys the further into the alphabet the letter grade went.

Modern tires don't add plys. They change the steel in the tire without adding plys.

Load Index Rating gives you the actual capability in pounds.

Whatever you choose be sure it's a "D" or "E" load range.

Another Michelin fan but I went with the AGILIS CROSSCLIMATE. Really like them.

Both the Michelins and Coopers have given me very good service. LT load range E, of course. That said, this has been discussed hundreds of times on the forum if you use the search function.

Rob

Add falken, Toyo and Nitto to the good list.

Ask a vague question, get vague answers.