Help me choose LT Tires

[RobWNY]

I plan on upgrading my P rated Goodyear tires with LT E rated tires. I have looked at and received quotes on 3 different tire brands. The Michelin LTX MS2 (70K warranty), the General HTS (45K warranty) and the Cooper A/T3 (55K warranty). The Michelin tires are $150 more than the General and Cooper tires which are within a couple of dollars of each other. I know the ride is going to be a lot stiffer than the P rated tires provide but I would like tires that aren't excessively loud while going down the road. Out of these 3 tires, which would you choose?

[Cummins12V98]

Bamaman1 wrote:
When it comes to tires and RV forums, everyone has a favorite. There are many, many decent brands of tires. But which tires are good "for the money" is the question.

I research tires on TireRack.com and then go to Costco.com, TreadDepot.com and DiscountTireDirect.com to see who's price is best including delivery and sales taxes (if applicable.)

Some 1/2 ton pickups are very light duty and some have heavier suspensions and trailer towing options. Most don't require LT or E rated tires because they don't have suspension that'll handle weight. I'd stay with P rated tires unless you're approaching 100% of the rated weight or tow capabilities of a 1/2 ton truck. 1/2 ton trucks appear "macho", but most are not.

My 3/4 ton truck came with H/T tread, and I kept getting stuck in grass/mud. I switched to A/T tires, and they didn't have any penalty in ride, handling or noise. I'm sticking with A/T's.

I've been perfectly satisfied with my Toyo Open Country tires as a compromise between cost and quality. I would have like to have a Michelin or Bridgestone tire, but they were simply cost prohibitive. I do prefer to stick with popular tires, and stay away from the Chinese no name tires of poor quality.

You may want to look on the side of your Toyo tires. The ones that were on the 98 I recently purchased were CHICOM made!

[tsetsaf]

Of the 3 noted MS2 are the better choice.

[Bamaman11]

When it comes to tires and RV forums, everyone has a favorite. There are many, many decent brands of tires. But which tires are good "for the money" is the question.

I research tires on TireRack.com and then go to Costco.com, TreadDepot.com and DiscountTireDirect.com to see who's price is best including delivery and sales taxes (if applicable.)

Some 1/2 ton pickups are very light duty and some have heavier suspensions and trailer towing options. Most don't require LT or E rated tires because they don't have suspension that'll handle weight. I'd stay with P rated tires unless you're approaching 100% of the rated weight or tow capabilities of a 1/2 ton truck. 1/2 ton trucks appear "macho", but most are not.

My 3/4 ton truck came with H/T tread, and I kept getting stuck in grass/mud. I switched to A/T tires, and they didn't have any penalty in ride, handling or noise. I'm sticking with A/T's.

I've been perfectly satisfied with my Toyo Open Country tires as a compromise between cost and quality. I would have like to have a Michelin or Bridgestone tire, but they were simply cost prohibitive. I do prefer to stick with popular tires, and stay away from the Chinese no name tires of poor quality.

[Tvov]

This has got to be the first thread I've read where people are warning about Michelin tires. What changed? Michelin always seems to be the top rated tire.

As to the original post, seems like Cooper is the way to go out of those three.

Have you looked at Firestone? I have Firestone Transforce HT tires on my F250 and I am very happy with them. They were the least expensive LT tire at the time that still had good ratings.

[glazier]

I like the Michelin MS2 as good as anything we have ever run. I like the looks of a Nitto tire, I just don't know anything about them.

[RobWNY]

bucky, I have no idea what the wheels are rated for pressure wise. I have the 18" chrome wheels and have pulled one off as I read that it would be stamped on the inside of the rim. There's nothing stamped on it. Then I read that the manufacturers don't stamp them anymore so I have no clue what they are capable of.

[Helmsey]

I have the Coopers and I don't have anything bad to say about them after several months of use (and a couple thousand miles towing). This is my first experience with them and will likely look at them again when it's time for new tires.

[eHoefler]

On all on of my vehicles, including 3 Ram 3500's, I have run the Cooper HT's. I ran the AT3's once, did not like the tread wear, went back to the HT's.

[CaveRun]

I have a 2002 F-150 and I needed a good tire for my truck when I'm hauling my truck camper and pulling my pontoon boat when we go on a camping/fishing trip.

I bought the Cooper Discoverer A/T3 tires and got 10-PLYs... Best tire's I've ever owned!

Look at the performance features in the link.

http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Light-Truck/DISCOVERER-A-T3.aspx

[bucky]

You don't state what you are towing, but on a F150 I would also look at LT D rated tires. They will give you a much better ride if you don't tow a large percentage of the time. Also, what are your wheels rated for pressure wise?

[CND_SuperCrew]

Hankook ATM
Toyo Open Country II
Cooper AT3
in that order

[Stickbowhip]

I have the Cooper A/T3s on my truck. Current 51K on them now and should be able to easily go another 5-10K. When I do replace them I'm going with the same tite again.

[Cummins12V98]

downtheroad wrote:
Michelin LTX MS2
Been excellent towing and daily driving.
Got them at Costco.

Discount tire beat Costco by over $250 on a set of 6 in Las Vegas last summer.

[deltabravo]

I have Cooper AT3s in my 09 Silverado Dually. The work well, even towing in the snow. The are quiet. I don't notice any noise from them.

I've had them since about last November or December. I haven't put many miles on them though.... maybe 4000.

[The_Texan]

I run Hankook DynaPro tires on my truck and am very pleased with them.