how about COOPER Discover STT ?
Highest quality tires?
- Thread starter SWUtah
- Start date
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I put Toyo Cross Countrys on mine - second set in fact. They are by far the best tire i have put on my cruiser.
justimaginejack
Looking for a new Cruiser
I spent alot of time on this, it really comes down to use and personal prefrence. I went with the Michelin Cross terrains because they were quiter and worked just fine around the farm on another suv. I wish I would have gone with the LTX's, for the dollar I don't think you will find a longer lasting tire that does most things great but nothing amazing. Routinely I ahve been told by other owners, they are still on thier first set close to or above 100K.
As for Consumer reports, I really appreciate thier work, but since they are continually going for the best value and making decisions based on economics for the masses I feel that thier perceptions don't always hold true. While thier examinations are thorough, they are not always complete. I found the personal reviews on tire rack to be far more informative. If you consider that even a tire that tests highly may have manufacturing flaws, tests, are not always representative of the long term value a product provides. If Consumer reports were to test the tires to 100K each and use multiple vehicles, then thier info would hold more weight. Alas costs get int the way of learing about true value and quality worth paying for.
When it comes down to it, consensus may not allways be the answer either.
whichever tire you choose, check tireracks.com's price, I have never seen them get beat. Another thing, since on average, most spares are never used, I would highly recommend rotating in the 5th. It will expend the life of all the tires and save you from wasting a tire that will slowly degrade Eitherway.
I am a firm believer in rotation and balancing, as well as continous tire pressure monitoring at cold temps, as such, I needed a place that had competent individuals working for a fair price. I found the local NTB/Tire Kingdom and was able to have tirerack.com send them the tires, they charged me 25.00 per tire for the install and the lifetime rotation/balance/warrenty/roadside service. I was also able to get a $25.00 coupon off thier website, and signed up for VIP status, which equaled another 10% off the total price, and added a 5year Alignement package for 130.00. Considering the dealer charges 90.00 per alignment with no guarantees, I felt it was a good deal.
When I looked, NTB and Firestone were offering the best Warrenties, check into this, because depending on how you drive, each warrenty has it's major drawbacks.
Since NTB and Firestone are nationwide, I have acess to help anywhere. While I can change my own tire, I like knowing there is help if I need it.
Another solid source for tires is wal-mart/sams, great prices, decent warrenty,
Last thing, no matter who puts your tires on, double and triple check to make sure the grease monkey is using a torque wrench and ask him to tell you what the torque value should be. If they get it wrong they may damage your breaks, Toyota dealer screwed mine up. The Mechanic was a toyota certified bullshitter. I don't hold a grudge or anything like that
As for Consumer reports, I really appreciate thier work, but since they are continually going for the best value and making decisions based on economics for the masses I feel that thier perceptions don't always hold true. While thier examinations are thorough, they are not always complete. I found the personal reviews on tire rack to be far more informative. If you consider that even a tire that tests highly may have manufacturing flaws, tests, are not always representative of the long term value a product provides. If Consumer reports were to test the tires to 100K each and use multiple vehicles, then thier info would hold more weight. Alas costs get int the way of learing about true value and quality worth paying for.
When it comes down to it, consensus may not allways be the answer either.
whichever tire you choose, check tireracks.com's price, I have never seen them get beat. Another thing, since on average, most spares are never used, I would highly recommend rotating in the 5th. It will expend the life of all the tires and save you from wasting a tire that will slowly degrade Eitherway.
I am a firm believer in rotation and balancing, as well as continous tire pressure monitoring at cold temps, as such, I needed a place that had competent individuals working for a fair price. I found the local NTB/Tire Kingdom and was able to have tirerack.com send them the tires, they charged me 25.00 per tire for the install and the lifetime rotation/balance/warrenty/roadside service. I was also able to get a $25.00 coupon off thier website, and signed up for VIP status, which equaled another 10% off the total price, and added a 5year Alignement package for 130.00. Considering the dealer charges 90.00 per alignment with no guarantees, I felt it was a good deal.
When I looked, NTB and Firestone were offering the best Warrenties, check into this, because depending on how you drive, each warrenty has it's major drawbacks.
Since NTB and Firestone are nationwide, I have acess to help anywhere. While I can change my own tire, I like knowing there is help if I need it.
Another solid source for tires is wal-mart/sams, great prices, decent warrenty,
Last thing, no matter who puts your tires on, double and triple check to make sure the grease monkey is using a torque wrench and ask him to tell you what the torque value should be. If they get it wrong they may damage your breaks, Toyota dealer screwed mine up. The Mechanic was a toyota certified bullshitter. I don't hold a grudge or anything like that
justimaginejack
Looking for a new Cruiser
Let us know which way you go, for some reason, I can never have enough perspective.
- Thread starter
- #26
I'm leaning toward the LTX's. I have 60K on mine and they still measure 6/32's. Figure by the time snow flys in this area I will have close to 70K miles and not enough tread for snow conditions. I think your right if snow wasn't an issure I think I could run mine to 80K miles.
For Quality, I agree with the Michelin theory. For mostly road the LTX M/S is oversold by tire stores, but this goes hand in hand with quality and price.
Michelin stopped making my favorite tire, the LTX A/T and as stated above, this is because of the acquisition of BFG and the dominant All Terrain tire. Now they have the best off-road tire and the best on-road tire. Too bad because I still prefer the LTX A/T over the BFG A/T after owning both.
But not to get away from the threads question, I believe Michelin has the highest quality - which tire depends on use, but that was not the threads question.
Michelin stopped making my favorite tire, the LTX A/T and as stated above, this is because of the acquisition of BFG and the dominant All Terrain tire. Now they have the best off-road tire and the best on-road tire. Too bad because I still prefer the LTX A/T over the BFG A/T after owning both.
But not to get away from the threads question, I believe Michelin has the highest quality - which tire depends on use, but that was not the threads question.
And, check the pressure yourself with a good quality gauge. I have personally had a lug nut come off and get lost because the guy who installed the tires missed torquing it (how I will never know). I have also had the pressures be off after telling them no less then 5 times what pressure to set them at. No, 32psi is not the pressure that every tire on every vehicle in the world should be at!!!
- Thread starter
- #29
They make a LTX AT2 in the 275/65/18's (32") tire. It costs $35 per tire less then the LTX M/S Pilots. They are on tirerack. This must be the LTX AT new tire? Check them out and tell me what you think?
Well the AT2 has not even made it on their grid yet - so it is very new. It does look promising, if it is as aggressive as the A/T. You can pull up their grid and see the big difference between the M/S and the A/T - the A/T leans much further for "off the beaten path".
Not that I dislike my BFG's, but if Discount tire would trade me right now with 1000 miles on my All Terrains, I think I would say yes. Reasons: Although Michelin bought out BFG and is overseeing them, I think it will take a little while before the quality and ride is as good. I think the BFG's are better if you are on the rocks and tearing them up every day, but as much as I would like - I am not doing that. I think the old A/T was the best of both worlds and if the 2 is the successor, then I am sure I would like it. I would call them up and talk to them if I was buying tires, dang it - they make my 285/75/16 and did not in the A/T when I bought. Of course, just my opinion.
Not that I dislike my BFG's, but if Discount tire would trade me right now with 1000 miles on my All Terrains, I think I would say yes. Reasons: Although Michelin bought out BFG and is overseeing them, I think it will take a little while before the quality and ride is as good. I think the BFG's are better if you are on the rocks and tearing them up every day, but as much as I would like - I am not doing that. I think the old A/T was the best of both worlds and if the 2 is the successor, then I am sure I would like it. I would call them up and talk to them if I was buying tires, dang it - they make my 285/75/16 and did not in the A/T when I bought. Of course, just my opinion.
Hi Cary,
What pressure are you using on your truck?
Should the pressure be any different with nitrogen?
What pressure are you using on your truck?
Should the pressure be any different with nitrogen?
The new AT2 looks very promising. As you note, less agressive than the BFG A/T, has lateral rain grooves. Tons of siping and biting edges which equates to good snow and ice performance (but interestingly it doesn't carry the Severe Snow Rating!!!
How much do you want for the BFG A/T's?
Use the oem recommended pressures unless you go to an LT tire (standard oem tire is p-metric). If you go to an LT increase by 10 psi. Pressures for nitrogen are the same as air.
- Thread starter
- #34
An Independent testing firm confirmed that the new Michelin LTX A/T2 tire lasts 30% longer, and has better dirt, mud, gravel and wet grass performance than both the Goodyear Wrangler SA and the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo, both direct competitors to the new Michelin tire.
Source- Canada Auto rag.
Source- Canada Auto rag.
LTX A/T 2 - $220 each at discount tire (ouch) - not sure they would deal on them. I am taking my cruiser in tomorrow as I noticed my slight shake was back - not sure if it is brakes, alignment or balance.
If it is balance and they indicate that the fronts are out, I am turning them in as it would be 3 times in only 1000 miles. Today I drove 200 miles and a lot of dirt/rock roads and they developed that slight shake again.
One thing and the only bad thing against the BFG's are they are rock lovers, they hang onto them forever and then shake them at 60+ mph in your wells.
If it is balance and they indicate that the fronts are out, I am turning them in as it would be 3 times in only 1000 miles. Today I drove 200 miles and a lot of dirt/rock roads and they developed that slight shake again.
One thing and the only bad thing against the BFG's are they are rock lovers, they hang onto them forever and then shake them at 60+ mph in your wells.
Thinking about it a bit more, I think I know why the AT2 is not severe snow rated. When you look at the BFG A/T, they carry the severe snow rating, EXCEPT for the load range E tires. I suspect the reason for this is compounding, they have to use a harder compound on the range E tires. The AT2 tires primarily come in an E rated tires, so Michelin may have not gone through the effort for the non E tires.
That is certainly a fact. Our driveway is gravel and several km's out a rock shoots out of the tire. I've never had a puncture because the little rock dug in deeper though.
I was sceptical about the BFG AT, having owned Michelin MT's in the past. But in light muddy conditions they really perform. A little less than highway pressure and the muck flicks out very fast.
- Thread starter
- #38
I had the BFG AT/KO's on my 80 and they wore like iron, seemed perfect for the 80 series with the solid axles and the truck like ride. I wouldn't want them on my Lexus as a daily driver.
i addjust mine LT315 with 42PSI is it enough?
Should be plenty, if anything (assuming you don't have body armor etc.) you may want to drop 2-3 PSI.
