Which tires for an Expedition with use case.

R

ripcord

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I need to get some new rubber for our 08 Expedition. Lately, it has transitioned from a highway kid/pet hauler to a less frequently driven, more recreationally focused use case. It will still see some road trips but also a lot more forest service roads and use during our infrequent snowy weather, though that's a secondary consideration.

It's currently got Michelin Defenders (don't remember exactly which flavor) which have been excellent, but I'm thinking it'd it would be good to go with a more mixed use AT tire that doesn't sacrifice too much of the highway manners of the Defenders... especially wet pavement braking performance.

I haven't bought truck tires in a while so wondered what you all would recommend?
 
ripcord said:
I need to get some new rubber for our 08 Expedition. Lately, it has transitioned from a highway kid/pet hauler to a less frequently driven, more recreationally focused use case. It will still see some road trips but also a lot more forest service roads and use during our infrequent snowy weather, though that's a secondary consideration.

It's currently got Michelin Defenders (don't remember exactly which flavor) which have been excellent, but I'm thinking it'd it would be good to go with a more mixed use AT tire that doesn't sacrifice too much of the highway manners of the Defenders... especially wet pavement braking performance.

I haven't bought truck tires in a while so wondered what you all would recommend?
Click to expand...
How many miles on the suspension? Yes it matters.
 
For a less driven vehicle I start looking for a solid value tire. Firestone destination LE3 has a good heritage. Won’t be anything special in snow. If you’re more interested in snow, the Yokohama G015 is snow rated and will do well with the weight from the Expi.
 
ripcord said:
I need to get some new rubber for our 08 Expedition. Lately, it has transitioned from a highway kid/pet hauler to a less frequently driven, more recreationally focused use case. It will still see some road trips but also a lot more forest service roads and use during our infrequent snowy weather, though that's a secondary consideration.

It's currently got Michelin Defenders (don't remember exactly which flavor) which have been excellent, but I'm thinking it'd it would be good to go with a more mixed use AT tire that doesn't sacrifice too much of the highway manners of the Defenders... especially wet pavement braking performance.

I haven't bought truck tires in a while so wondered what you all would recommend?
Click to expand...
I always found the Defender LTX M/S (well, its predecessor, the LTX M/S and M/S2) excellent in snow, and particularly on ice, in our Expedition. Made several very long trips in blizzards, ice storms...etc on those tires.
IMG_20150202_110541.webp


I'd think they'd be up to the task unless you are worried you need something with a tougher sidewall?
 
OVERKILL said:
I always found the Defender LTX M/S (well, its predecessor, the LTX M/S and M/S2) excellent in snow, and particularly on ice, in our Expedition. Made several very long trips in blizzards, ice storms...etc on those tires.
View attachment 255466

I'd think they'd be up to the task unless you are worried you need something with a tougher sidewall?
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I agree they were good in the snow, but I'm looking to move to more of an all-terain focused tire.

The last tire of this type I had were a set of BFG All-Terrain T/A's on an Isuzu Rodeo in the early 2000s. Those wore fantastically well and had great street manners but tended to want to push straight through corners regardless of steering input in the snow with 4wd engaged.

My brother is recommending Cooper Discoverer All-Terrain's as he liked the ones he had when they lived in the Idaho panhandle.
 
ripcord said:
I agree they were good in the snow, but I'm looking to move to more of an all-terain focused tire.

The last tire of this type I had were a set of BFG All-Terrain T/A's on an Isuzu Rodeo in the early 2000s. Those wore fantastically well and had great street manners but tended to want to push straight through corners regardless of steering input in the snow with 4wd engaged.

My brother is recommending Cooper Discoverer All-Terrain's as he liked the ones he had when they lived in the Idaho panhandle.
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OK, then the Yokohama Geolander series is typically pretty well regarded, have you looked at those?
 
ripcord said:
Lots! This rig is a unicorn in that it's got over 250k without any valve train issues. I'm sure it could use some shocks, but the ball joints and tie rods seem pretty tight.
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I certainly wouldn't look at a premium tire then. I would be looking at Nexen, Kumho,etc.

I also would be looking on Walmart.com at their Dextero Tires and other tires. Dextero Tires are made in South Carolina.
 
OVERKILL said:
OK, then the Yokohama Geolander series is typically pretty well regarded, have you looked at those?
Click to expand...

I can recommend the Yokohama G015 A/T tires. They are 3PMSF rated. I bought these for better durability and traction over the A/S P-rated tires the vehicle came with. They have done well on 4wd trails, snow, particularly well in rain, and are quieter than some more aggressive A/T tires, and ride surprisingly well despite being load range E 10 ply rated tires. They can also be had in P-rated form. In my size (LT 265/70R 17 E) they are 12 lbs per tire heavier than the P-rated (P 265/70R17) size. The LT tires have 18/32nds tread depth, the P rated tires are 13/32nds.

IMG_20200418_150649.webp
 
the Geolandar g015 is long in the tooth it is an older model
that while at the top of its game years ago has been eclipsed.
the Yokohama Geolandar A/T4 is replacing it but limited sizes currently.
I had a set of the g015's on my subaru forester wilderness.
and the predecessor geolandar AT/S on a 2013 outback so I am familiar with those tires.


the falken a/t3w were near the top, and the a/t4w is improved.
Hence my recommendation.
 
Rand said:
the Geolandar g015 is long in the tooth it is an older model
that while at the top of its game years ago has been eclipsed.
the Yokohama Geolandar A/T4 is replacing it but limited sizes currently.
I had a set of the g015's on my subaru forester wilderness.
and the predecessor geolandar AT/S on a 2013 outback so I am familiar with those tires.


the falken a/t3w were near the top, and the a/t4w is improved.
Hence my recommendation.
Click to expand...

You were probably running the P-rated version of the Yokohama G015's on your Subarus. Despite being the same 'Model' not really comparable in performance. The much deeper tread, different compound, and stronger construction, I would still recommend the LT versions on a heavier SUV, particularly if venturing onto 4wd trails. But still want a non-punishing experience on the highway.

I haven't tried the Yokohama A/T4 G018 Geolandar, but based on my experience with the G015, I'd certainly give them a try.

My experience with Falkens, and those of a friend who is a GM of a National tire chain, is poor uniformity, leading to balancing issues.
 
Last edited:
For a mostly highway AT tire, I have had really good performance from the Pirelli Scorpion AT plus. Dry, wet, dirt, gravel, some mud, and snow. And they are at a good price point right now. I will probably get them when my GY Duratracts need replacement
IMG_4223.webp
 
Seeing that a mild AT is of interest, I’ll also state the yoko G015 as an excellent blend between well-mannered highway and light duty off road. Along with that, the continental all terrain is very similar. The yokos are slightly quieter and balance better. The continentals have exceptional wet stopping grip, better than than anything else I’ve used on a pickup.

For more of a budget tire, the Firestone destination AT gets good press.
 
another vote for Yokohama g015. they said OEM tires suck but that is not the case at least for the wilderness trim. Whoever conceptualized putting it on the wilderness trim knows what he is doing and deserves a pay raise. Approaching 35k kms and still looking new. In my second winter with these tires and still no noticeable decrease in performance.

Screenshot_20241225-205813.webp
 
Well... life intrudes into the best laid plans. Or "wife" intrudes, rather. My wife sprung a last minute vacation on me for next week to go to Leavenworth, WA which is on the other side of the Cascades from us and I don't want to go on these worn out Michelines. The only place I could find with an opening for me to get in this week is a local Les Schwab. They don't have anything I was looking at in stock so I'm going to wind up with a set of Vredestein Pinza AT. They have a 70k warranty and have decent ratings on TireRack.
 
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