Singin' the blues - Michelin AT/2's

[CarbonSteel]

I have had nothing but problems with these 275/65-20 load range E tires. I have, over the last 19K miles, grown to utterly despise them.

Short background (some of you may remember) - with less than 8K on the truck, six tires have been replaced. The factory front two had to be replaced due to an defective tie-rod/alignment issue from the factory and that is not the fault of the tires. However, the other four replacements (including the need to replace two of them twice) is clearly a quality issue (these two "sets" were on the rear of the truck). Now, with 19K on it, the last long trip I took (3,900 mile road trip) became the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. Although I had them rotated and balanced--once normally and the vibration did not stop, then again with a road force balance machine--they vibrated the whole trip at 70-80mph. They do not stay balanced (at least the vibration increases over time) and I will be replacing them with a different brand.

The $1200 question is--what tire? I do some off roading (nothing crazy--so no "mud-only" tires) and drive in the heavy rain in Texas and heavy snow in Colorado. Has anyone used a Firestone Destination A/T or Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2 in my tire size? I see some decent reviews on Tire Rack for them, but am curious as to what all of you are using.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[demarpaint]

I stopped using them years ago. Some love them, and defend them like they were a child of theirs. I won't ever buy them again, over priced and over rated is how I feel about them.

I had cord separation issues with a few of them, I'm done. The Destination A/T is a good choice.

 

[brian_06328]

I've been running Hankook Dynapro ATM (285/75-16) on my '96 F350. quite a bit different than your pickup, but I have been very pleased with them. Have had them on about 4-5 years but only put between 2-3K miles on it a year.

 

[Nukeman7]

I love the ride, grip and handling of the Cooper Discoverer AT3's on my SUV. Really good all around performance and quiet on road.

 

[FordBroncoVWJeta]

http://mastercrafttires.com/Tires/Light-Truck/Courser-AXT.aspx I had these on my old Bronco. Those things did really well just about anywere. Tell some [censored] hole slashed em...

 

[gfh77665]

To salvage value out of them,I would keep two of the Michelins on the back, put he other two in storage, and put two new Firestone Destinations on the front. Tires on the back rarely cause any vibration issues. When the Firestones reach 20K, replace the back two Michelins with the the other two that were stored, then replace everything when the Firestones get to 40K.

(Yes everyone, I know the "official" recommendation is for new tires to go on rear, but it will be fine!)

 

[Soggydog]

I ran my Michelin to about 42k which is not that bad I suppose, I could have squeezed another 10k out of them but I hated them so much.
I jumped on the BFG AT KO2'S (285/65-20) when they came out. Roughly 21K miles on those and I don't feel they're going to go another 20k but the ride is still better than the Michelins. They do seem to getting a little louder on the highway though.
I notice many of the 20" equiped superdutys on the lot now come with Toyo AT2s. That might be my next choice for my truck.

 

[Falken]

I only plan on sticking with Continental, I find them to be a very safe (if boring) choice.

 

[JXW]

I have 40k on my set, they were oem stock for f350 and I purchased as take offs, installed on 07 Tundra 4x4.

They are excellent.

Note: when mounting extra time was spent balancing at the tire shop. Omph to 100mph no wighle, shimmy or vibration. Wear is minimal.

Traction is excellent in all 4 seasons.

Past experience with brand and model was over 80k before replacement.

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

I had the same vibrating issue with the factory Goodyear SRA's. I went with the Cooper A/T3's.

 

[BISCUT]

I have been very impressed with Bridgestone Dueler AT's on 2010 Armada. First set went 50k+ and had plenty tread (but not enough for confidence in winter) and was replaced with another set of Dueler AT's. Second set is still on with somewhere in the 40k range.

Not the BEST in any category but dry road handling is good, wet handling is good, and snow handling is good. Compound seems to be a good compromise of soft and hard. I would buy another set.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

But ... Michelins are perfect in every way ...

Cooper AT3 or Hankook Dynapro AT would work well. The Dynapro AT seem to be able to pull a lot of mileage.

 

[userfriendly]

I have the exact same size and tires on my GMC HD 2500 on factory 20 X 8.5" wheels.
If I run them down to the cords, I might get 45,000 miles out of them.
A word of caution mixing and matching LTX AT2s on 4x4s, the OD is 34.4, where most other brands are 34.1.
Great tires for summer and speeds up to 60mph, they are worse air'd down, so I keep them @ 80 psi.

My winter set is 275/65/20 Hankook studded RW-11s 3-ply side wall, on 20X9" wheels.
From now on I'm only buying 3 ply side wall tires for HD trucks, which shortens my "maybe" list.
BFG's are not on my list, and nothing mud terrain, Cooper ST Maxx look interesting.

A decent 275/65/20 should weigh over 60 pounds without the rim.

 

[Rand]

I'd get Cooper AT3's it is their best tire. IF you purchased during one of DTD/DT sales (4th of july coming up) there is triple rebates

Right now their regular price shipped is

268x4-40(instant)-70(rebate)=962$+mount and balance.

The AT3 strikes a good balance of on road and off road traction, noise, handling etc.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
But ... Michelins are perfect in every way ...

OT, but I moan a lot about the noise my Michelins make on the G37 when its rotation time, and just generally grouse about the things. I checked my records, and they've gone well past their warranty life, and I could probably get another year out of them. Maybe they do at least something right.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
To salvage value out of them, I would keep two of the Michelins on the back, put he other two in storage, and put two new Firestone Destinations on the front. Tires on the back rarely cause any vibration issues.
I was thinking Craigslist...

 

[stxonall8]

Cooper at3s are always a good bet, but I'd price out yokohama geolanders. And speaking of discount tire and their july 4th sale a couple years ago on my last truck I but discount tires private label tires cheap and 6 months no interest. The were pathfinder s.a.t's had a 60000 mile warranty,werent loud, and severe snow rated. Believe they were originally 550 and i got them for 320 or 360. And i do believe they come in lt sizes

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: 2015_PSD
I was thinking Craigslist...

That might work, but about 60%-70% of the people you have to deal with are idiots on CL. Might be a big hassle. Also, keeping the back two on the ground saves you from having to buying a full set of four.

 

[Nick1994]

I'm a big fan of the BFG All Terrains, smooth, quiet, tough, and great off-road performance. The new KO2s should be even better.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Keeping the back two on the ground saves you from having to buying a full set of four.
You are right about that--I may drive them into the ground unless I have another long trip, I am not sure I can live with the vibration on another trip that long.