[JRTJH]

As for "tire salesmen and their recommendations"...

Remember that even the "big box stores like COSTCO and SAM'S CLUB" are limited by federal regulations from selling you tires that do not meet the requirements on the tire label found on the side of your trailer or on the driver's door pillar on your truck/car/SUV. They can "sell 'em to you" but they can't "install them on your vehicle, knowing they are not a "manufacturer's recommended/required size/type"... To do so would make them partly liable for any damage/accident that might result. Most won't accept that risk, even if they know the tires will "probably be OK"....

Then there is the "brands carried" limitation. Just as you'd not go to a BUICK dealer to buy a FORD, (the salesman would not recommend a FORD at that dealership) you can't go to just any "tire store" and get "any brand". The salesman will attempt to sell you "what they carry" not "what is the "top of the line in that size and application"... There's several reasons for that, primarily, he can't get something he doesn't carry or that is "franchised or trade restricted to authorized dealers" .. So, while recognizing that "all tires are not equal" you must also recognize that "all tire dealerships are not equal" and that means the "Tire salesman at all dealerships can't recommend/sell all brands"....

Shopping for tires, like shopping for tools, means you've got to first, determine what brand you want and shop at stores that carry that brand. If you don't know or if you don't do your "homework first", you can't go to a BUICK dealership and get "valid information on an F150"... Same with tires....