Need new tires and battery. Advice?

[crashz]

I own a 2004 GMC 1/2ton 4x4 with 5.3L V8. I plow snow with the truck (just my driveway and a few others) and tow occasionally.

The last set of tires I put on were Kelly Safari, at about 65,000 miles. The truck is now at 98,000 miles and could use tires soon. At the time of purchase I mistakenly took the advice of the tire salesman and got the P metric tires with a load range of C. The big problem is that the tires vibrate on the highway (like this from new, and cannot be balanced out) and when the plow is mounted or anything is in the bed, the sidewalls bulge significantly. Towing is difficult due to the tires allowing a lot of sway.

So I'm looking for a good, mild tread, D or E rated tire with the stock size of 265/75/R16. Any advice, good or bad, would be appreciated.

Also looking to replace my stock battery. Keeping in mind that the truck occansional plows snow, the battery must be able to handle the huge electrical demand of the snow plow.

Thanks!
Leo

 

[Diamondpilot]

I personally like the BF Goodrich TA's for trucks. They are not to wild but get great all around traction. As for the battery get a Optima.

Chris

 

[QRTRHRS]

I personally like the BF Goodrich TA's for trucks. They are not to wild but get great all around traction. As for the battery get a Optima.

Chris

I second the Optima but go with the deep cycle. I think it is the one with the blue tops?

 

[Builder]

I own a 2004 GMC 1/2ton 4x4 with 5.3L V8. I plow snow with the truck (just my driveway and a few others) and tow occasionally.

The last set of tires I put on were Kelly Safari, at about 65,000 miles. The truck is now at 98,000 miles and could use tires soon. At the time of purchase I mistakenly took the advice of the tire salesman and got the P metric tires with a load range of C. The big problem is that the tires vibrate on the highway (like this from new, and cannot be balanced out) and when the plow is mounted or anything is in the bed, the sidewalls bulge significantly. Towing is difficult due to the tires allowing a lot of sway.

So I'm looking for a good, mild tread, D or E rated tire with the stock size of 265/75/R16. Any advice, good or bad, would be appreciated.

Also looking to replace my stock battery. Keeping in mind that the truck occansional plows snow, the battery must be able to handle the huge electrical demand of the snow plow.

Thanks!
Leo

I've been real happy with 265 load range E General Grabber. Tire rack sells them cheap. They deliver right to your door. They look just like BFG A/T's, but cost abut $75 less each tire. I've had mine out in the snow and they work well. Good stiff sidewalls, too.

As far as the battery goes, If you have room under the hood, you could upgrade to a dual battery system. If you have a cross-body toolbox in your bed, you could stow the 2nd battery there in a battery box. They are available as kits or you can make your own using a battery tray and some custom made cables.

 

[BruceWard]

I suggest Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor
Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

I put a set on my truck, they are lasting well, they look new with around 15K miles on them. They have great grip in mud and snow. They are quiet for a truck tire. I bought 7 ply tires. They have Kevlar as some of the plys. I have driven over lots of stobs and even some locust without a puncture.

 

[Bruce-4310TX]

Use a dual battery set up and use a optima deep cycle, do not use a deep cycle for you main battery they are not designed for that type of use. I use that setup and it works great

 

[crashz]

Thanks for the info guys!

I'll look into the Generals and the Goodyears. Traction usually isn't a problem (yesterday it was!), but wear, mileage penalties and load handling characteristics are my top concerns. I was wondering if an E loaded tire would have any negative issues installed on a 1/2 ton truck. I wouldn't think so, but I figured I ask anyway.

The battery has held up remarkably well considering. While I don't plow commercially, the driveways involve a lot of very short runs with lots of plow movement. And the stock battery has done the job so far. But I don't feel like getting stranded, so I'll swap this out for a new one and use it in an older, farm truck.

I've heard that Optimas can be either great or terrible in a plow truck. There is another brand of gel batteries that I recently saw, but was close to $200. The name escapes me now.

I've been asking nearly everybody, because the truck is my daily driver, sees lots of highway driving and yet has hauling, towing and plowing duties as well. Kind of a lot for one truck, but I'm not really ready to trade it in for a commuter and a 1 ton dump just yet.

 

[Builder]

Thanks for the info guys!

I'll look into the Generals and the Goodyears. Traction usually isn't a problem (yesterday it was!), but wear, mileage penalties and load handling characteristics are my top concerns. I was wondering if an E loaded tire would have any negative issues installed on a 1/2 ton truck. I wouldn't think so, but I figured I ask anyway.

The battery has held up remarkably well considering. While I don't plow commercially, the driveways involve a lot of very short runs with lots of plow movement. And the stock battery has done the job so far. But I don't feel like getting stranded, so I'll swap this out for a new one and use it in an older, farm truck.

I've heard that Optimas can be either great or terrible in a plow truck. There is another brand of gel batteries that I recently saw, but was close to $200. The name escapes me now.

I've been asking nearly everybody, because the truck is my daily driver, sees lots of highway driving and yet has hauling, towing and plowing duties as well. Kind of a lot for one truck, but I'm not really ready to trade it in for a commuter and a 1 ton dump just yet.

Load range E tires will ride harder. They'll have a stiffer sidewall.

Believe it or not, stock batteries are some of the best out there. I've gotten amazing long life from Motorcraft & AC delco batteries. Just get 1000 CCA batteries with 84 month life and make sure they're FRESH.

Check the output on your alternator. Moving up to a higher amperage output would help you too.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I agree with Builder on this one. OEM batteries are usually pretty good. You may just want to replace it with a OEM battery and upgrade the alternator or have it built stronger at a shop. I have dual alternators on both of my Powerstroks but my F-150 just has a single. No plow on any of the truck but I would love to have one so I really don't need the dual setup but does give me plenty of juice.

Chris

 

[Builder]

Another option would be to buy a set of cheap load range E's and have them studded. I think there's some 245E's out there for $99/each. Just put them on in the winter and take them off after plow season is over.

Studded snows are amazing. I had a set of 4 on a '91 F-350 4x4 460 gasser I used to plow with. It also had a 8.5' Western proplow, dual batteries & dual alternators. It was one of the better plow trucks I had.