Tyre recommendations for rural roads

[rockyridgefarm]

We usally spell it t-i-r-e, but I like to take care of friends accross the pond, some...

Anyway, what tires hold up to country roads?

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Dodge B Van, both take LT tires, and I am constantly getting them fixed. I sure don't want my wife or daughters stuck, andriding on unsafe rubber....

 

[beenthere]

Well, our 'country' roads are all asphalt. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Are you talking 'country' roads as being gravel, dirt, or ??????

I run just the M+S (for mud and snow), and the Cooper brand.
Other than nails on 'country' roads, not sure what else would enter into the 'tyre' equation.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Lessee we have 'okieasphalt' - some concocktion of oil, snot, and gravel
Gravel. Rock. All with plenty of nails, and my personal favorite the ubiquitmus drywall screws...

 

[DKinWA]

Try a 10 ply M/S rated tire. That's all we use around here because the logging roads are heck on tires. I've run nothing but the TOYO M-55 for the past 10 years on my F250 4X4 and haven't had one flat (knock on wood /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Prior to that, I used to run a 6 ply LT and was always getting flats. The 10 plys are more expensive, but I know I make it up in time and money saved fixing flats.

 

[EastTexFrank]

When I worked out in New Mexico, I had to meet a surveyor out in what could only be called semi-desert filled with mesquite and other thorn bushes. I actually gave up picking my way through them all and rode with him. He just plowed (ploughed since we are in UK mode) through them all. I asked him what kind of tires he had on his truck and he told me they were 10-ply M+S with Slime. He said they ran rougher on paved roads and if you overfilled them with Slime, it could induce a shudder at high speed but that he never had a flat. I think that if I wanted to avoid flats altogether, that's the route I'd go.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

I can't recall the "name" they give it, but I've been quite pleased with the wear,performance, and even the price on my (load range E) Michelins. (Both the wife and I drive 3/4 ton Dodge 4WD's) We have, of course, the 4 tires mounted on each truck, a spare UNDER each truck, and a couple mounted spares in the shop. At some point, the 2 spares under the tucks, the 2 spares in the garage get mounted on one truck. Then new rubber gets bought for #2. The 4 best old tires become the spares. That should get us through 125,000 (+) miles. Having 4 spares is about the best gaurentee I have of NOT having flats. (If you're prepared for them, they won't happen.........)

 

[RobertN]

I see lots of Cherokee's with car tires("C" rated) on them.

Best would be a good truck tire. there is a caveat though... Ride... Heavier duty tires have more plys, and are usually thicker. The sidewall is stiffer. Manufacturers usually go for the ride, so they put softer tires on.

My Dodge 3/4 ton specs E rated tires... Since I sometimes haul heavy stuff, I like that anyways.

You might try a AT or MT type tire, and look at a higher rating. You probably have "C" rated tires. Maybe look at a "D" ("E" for the van).

 

[dmccarty]

Mike,

I had SteelTex Firestones on my F350. They held up well but a bolt through the rear tire did 'em in after 50,000+ miles.

I put Pirelli tyres on the truck. I think they are Scropians(sp) STR. The are Load range E. Not sure on the ply but they completely changed the handling on the truck. Almost like a sports car, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif well a car anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

There is a curve in one of the roads that I travel. With the Firestones I could not drive through the curve at 55mph. I would have to slow down. With these new tires 55 is no problem. I only have a 5,000 miles give or take on them at this point but I am impressed. They where cheaper the Michelins and have as good or better ratings.

Later,
Dan

 

[Jimbrown]

I agree that you need to go to a load range E tire. I have three trucks a jeep, GMC 1500 and a Chevy Avalanch. I have to drive 13 miles of rock/dirt road to get to town. No P rated or standard rated LT tire will take the road. I went load range E, 10 ply rated on all of them and have no flats due to rocks since that time. I do not think brand really matters but I have had the best luck with Coopers. Goodyears were the worse and Dunlaps were fair.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

OK, I did some research, then called my brother-in-law who owns a tire shop. We came down to this: GoodYear Wrangler SilentArmor. These are brand new. They have Kevlar belts in them, are sopposed to be the highest puncture resistance, with the quietest ride and have a fantastic warranty.

Anybody experienced them?

 

[_RaT_]

Bulletproof would be Michelin XPS. Thay are available in very, very limited sizes. They are heavy, cost a bit more and will wear longer then just about anything made. You can get them as XPS traction or XPS Rib. They are as I describe, bulletproof.

 

[Birdhunter1]

A farmer bud of mine spends almost all of his time in his truck on creek rock gravel roads and in 30,000 miles has never had a flat. He is running Firestone Steeltex A/T's on a 2001 f-250 Super Duty deisel 4x4. Like I said he spends almost all of his time on gravel roads, last year for sure I know that he went through 5 tanks of fuel and his truck never saw pavement.

 

[_RaT_]

Mike, here is a site that has the sizes and theirload abilities as well as ratings and peoples opinions. Unfortunatley not all tires are rated as is the case of the Goodyear SilentArmor. I threw the Firestone in so you could get an idea. Apparently the Michelin XPS Traction is not available there. Some tires show up as being pretty lousy. I included a chart. The best way to browse that site is to go to brands and click on a brand. You can do it by car as well.



Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

Firestone Steeltex Radial A/T

Tire comparison chart

 

[fishman]

dmccarty,

I had some Pirelli Scorpions on my 1/2 ton 4wd truck and they did ride and handle very well for the first 15 to 20k miles. However, they were worn out at 29k miles. Not very impressive. The good thing was that they had a 60k mileage warranty and I used the cash back to get some BFGoodrich All Terrain KO's. After 15k miles, I've got some wear, but nothing like the Pirelli's and they handle better, imho. Pricey though!

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Thanks for all the input.

I read on TireRack about how they come up with the ratings. They are done by the manufacturers themselves, the government can audit them (a reasonably Fair system, really)

But the tread wear number is determined on a test track in Western Texas. They go for 7200 miles and measure them, and extrapolate out the results. So, if you want a high rating, make the early wear very slow (like an extra tough outer layer...)

I called TireRack, and they strongly recommended the SilentArmor, too.
Stock tires are 225/70x16, which isn't available, so they suggested 235/70x16.

Thanks again for all the input. I get to learn a lot about this stuff, for a guy who can't even get a driver's license!