'13- 2500HD Tire Shopping

[Need-A-Vacation]

I am planning on new tires within then next month or so, and have it narrowed down to a few possibilities. Truck is stock, no leveling kit, and t-bars are still at factory adjustment. I don't plan on going with a (much) larger than stock tire as we have a fairly heavy tt (~9200lbs loaded), so don't want to change the ratio to much.

We also travel to Northern Michigan and Northern Ontario (Soo area) to go snowmobiling. The cabin in Ont is in the bush, about an hour to get to once through Soo customs....

Stock 265/60/20 is a pain to find an AT tire in. Found a few, but wish there was more available choices!!!

The leading contenders are:

Cooper A/T3: Had a set for on our '10-1500 and loved them!!! Great tire in all conditions, dry, rain, snow, ice, etc.. Mud was the only condition I never had them in (not counting dirt roads). Stock size, about $200 more than the ATP.

Cooper ATP: Have heard and read awesome things about this tire, but slightly concerned the little larger lug vs the A/T3 will cause it to not be as good of a tire in the wet, sloppy snow. Had a set of the Cooper ST's and wasn't that impressed in that type of snow. They would actually push at intersections when trying to turn. The A/T3's never did that. But I know there is a big difference in the tread pattern and tread size vs the ST model. Stock Size, about $200 cheaper vs the A/T3.

Slightly behind the two Coopers:

Pro Comp AT Sport: Very new tire, little reviews available and the few there are, haven't found any for snow conditions. 275/60/20, ever so slightly larger.... Any idea who make the PC tires? I have heard/ read possibly Cooper, but can't find a definitive answer. About the same price as the A/T3 if I remember correctly.

All three of these have a 55k or 60k mi tread warranty, which is a selling feature.

I would consider the BFG AT and the Toyo Open Country AT II if they were available in the right size. Have also considered the DuraTrac, but it may be a little more aggressive than I want/need. Other downside is the lack of a tread warranty. Have considered the Wrangler Adventure, but maybe this is also the lack of looking at the DuraTrac closer, I am not a big fan of GY tires.....

I have also considered going to an 18" rim for more tire choices, but after the cost of new rims (even oem take offs...) not sure this is really worth it. If I bought 18" rims, the Open Country AT II would be right there in he mix with the Coopers, and the BFG slightly behind due to no tread life warranty.

So if anyone has any insight on comparing these tires, all help is appreciated!!!

TY!!!

[Fireman02]

I replaced the aweful firestones that came on my truck w/ Cooper ATP' s in 275/65/20's last winter. They've been great in rain and snow so far.

[Grit_dog]

I had Cooper AT3s on my pickup in Alaska. They were acceptable performers on hard pack and loose snow, bobtail or pulling a snomachine trailer. Good as any average AT tire IMO.
They stunk on warm/wet/greasy snow packed roads. but most tires do unless heavily siped, studded and low pressure.

[trailerbikecamp]

I have an older 2500. I currently have Yokohama Geolander on mine. Have found the tread life warranty to be what I wanted. Get good traction in all sorts of conditions, from heavy rain to heavy wet snow. Quiet on the highway, and they handle my 14,000lb 5'er without complaint.

Just rotated the tires front to back after 2 yrs (40,000km). Still have lots of tread left, just wanted to balance out the wear on all four tires.

Mine are different size though, mine are 265/70 R17.

[Grit_dog]

LIKE2BUILD wrote:
I've used Firestone Transforce AT tires for years with great results. Traction is very good and they wear very well.

While I just sang praises for the Tforce ATs on my truck from a durability standpoint.
Traction is not something they excel at.......at all.
Horrible recommendation for towing in the winter. Maybe if you siped them they'd be acceptable. But even new, they are not good snow tires.

[LIKE2BUILD]

I've used Firestone Transforce AT tires for years with great results. Traction is very good and they wear very well.

[ACZL]

May not help you much, but if possible, have a set of winters and summers to switch out for whichever season and if possible as well, have each set mounted on their own rims. That way you can get a really good snow tire for traction and equal summer tire. In my experience, all seasons just don't cut the mustard and AT are okay, but you have to compromise with them despite the AT claims. Probly get blasted on this, but this is MO.

[JustLabs]

Cooper AT3 would be my choice.

They're made in the U.S. and get rave reviews.

[eichacsj]

michelin ltx

[lawnspecialties]

I have the BFG KO2s on my 2013 F350 I use for my landscape business. Won't buy them again. 285-70-17 E rated. They offer excellent traction and a good ride. But I'm just a little over 20,000 miles and they will have to be replaced before winter weather arrives. I can't justify $1200 for 25,000 mile tires.

No mileage warranty either.

[SouthpawHD]

On a GM site I frequent, I've read good things about Coopers (not sure of version), BFG KO2, and Duratecs. I know those weren't necessarily the ones you are looking at, but those seem to be some of the more popular ones.