In Nov. of 2012, I purchased a set of 4 Hercules Tour 4.0 Plus all season, 195/70R/14 tires from Tire Discounters in SW Ohio for a very reasonable $355.20 after $50 instant discount, installed with free 4 wheel alignment and free lifetime rotation and balance. They have a treadware rating of 540, Traction A, Treaderwear A, and a 55,000 mile warranty (since upped to 620 and a 65,000 mile warrant on current purchases). My particular tires were built for Hercules, which is a Findlay, Ohio based private label MARKETER of tires, by the Deestone Radial Tyre Company of Thailand. As far as I've been able to determine, Hercules doesn't actually own any of their own factories, but contract out to other companies to build for them.
My Hercules Tour 4.0 Plus have 2 polyester plies in both the sidewall and tread, with 2 steel belts and a nylon cap, with the tread pattern being a close clone knockoff of the Continental Extreme Contact. These tires weigh 22 pounds apiece, which is on the heavy side for a tire of this size (The General Altimax RT43's are 16 lbs. apiece, by contrast) and started with an initial tread depth of 10/32nds of an inch.
In a nutshell, I've been entirely pleased with these tires....nice grip on dry, very little in the way of hydroplaning at highway speeds (which for me is typically 9 over the speed limit) during torrential downpours, and reasonably assured when driving multiple times on the interstate during snowstorms while observing multiple vehicle slide offs each time this past, heavy winter here in SW Ohio. Until the last 5,000 miles or so, they were a very quiet tire as well, but the noise level has gone up since the tread depth has fallen to below 4/32nds as currently stands. At 45,162 miles on them currently, with a tread depth in around 3.25/32nds, they're still performing nicely and I do anticipate they could run another 5 to 10 thousand miles before they're worn out, but I'll likely replace them before the end of October so I'll have fresh tread for the winter months.
For the first 10k miles of these tires, i kept tire pressure in the 30-34 ppsi range, until I found this site and experimented with pressures in the 35-40 range, before settling in at 35-36, which seems to be the sweet spot for ride/handling/even treadware that I like for my 2001 Toyota Camry.
For my next purchase, Tire Discounters currently has an even better "out the door" price than previously, at $333.80.....but Discount Tire will price match tirebuyer.com(with free shipping) price for the Altimax RT43, with it's many favorable reviews, at $252 total, for a total of $354 with their install package. I know many of you will say it's a no brainer to go with the Generals, but their 1 polyester sidewall ply vs. 2 for the Hercules somewhat concerns me as I've read they tend to ride somewhat softer and "wallowy" ride and handling. I'll likely approach both retailers and see if they'll make further price concessions and go with whichever one will.
This is my first post....sorry if I rambled on too long...and I do appreciate any feedback regarding my next purchase, or previous experiences you've had with the RT'43's and Hercules Tour 4.0......Thanks
My Hercules Tour 4.0 Plus have 2 polyester plies in both the sidewall and tread, with 2 steel belts and a nylon cap, with the tread pattern being a close clone knockoff of the Continental Extreme Contact. These tires weigh 22 pounds apiece, which is on the heavy side for a tire of this size (The General Altimax RT43's are 16 lbs. apiece, by contrast) and started with an initial tread depth of 10/32nds of an inch.
In a nutshell, I've been entirely pleased with these tires....nice grip on dry, very little in the way of hydroplaning at highway speeds (which for me is typically 9 over the speed limit) during torrential downpours, and reasonably assured when driving multiple times on the interstate during snowstorms while observing multiple vehicle slide offs each time this past, heavy winter here in SW Ohio. Until the last 5,000 miles or so, they were a very quiet tire as well, but the noise level has gone up since the tread depth has fallen to below 4/32nds as currently stands. At 45,162 miles on them currently, with a tread depth in around 3.25/32nds, they're still performing nicely and I do anticipate they could run another 5 to 10 thousand miles before they're worn out, but I'll likely replace them before the end of October so I'll have fresh tread for the winter months.
For the first 10k miles of these tires, i kept tire pressure in the 30-34 ppsi range, until I found this site and experimented with pressures in the 35-40 range, before settling in at 35-36, which seems to be the sweet spot for ride/handling/even treadware that I like for my 2001 Toyota Camry.
For my next purchase, Tire Discounters currently has an even better "out the door" price than previously, at $333.80.....but Discount Tire will price match tirebuyer.com(with free shipping) price for the Altimax RT43, with it's many favorable reviews, at $252 total, for a total of $354 with their install package. I know many of you will say it's a no brainer to go with the Generals, but their 1 polyester sidewall ply vs. 2 for the Hercules somewhat concerns me as I've read they tend to ride somewhat softer and "wallowy" ride and handling. I'll likely approach both retailers and see if they'll make further price concessions and go with whichever one will.
This is my first post....sorry if I rambled on too long...and I do appreciate any feedback regarding my next purchase, or previous experiences you've had with the RT'43's and Hercules Tour 4.0......Thanks