Tire recommendations for my tow vehicle.

busterbrown · 02-17-2016, 02:21 AM

I'm in the market for new tires for my 2008 Yukon XL Denali. Would like to get a few opinions on a good set of rubbers that have limit sidewall flex but aren't abusive to passengers when the truck is unhitched. I've been reading about Michelin LTX M/S2 (load and speed is 113H). They are more expensive than I'd like but seem to have great ratings.

On the lower end, I've seen good reviews of Cooper Discoverer H/T plus. The load rating is higher on these at 117; speed is only T. Other tires I've been looking at at BFG Long Trail T/A Tours, Michelin Defender LTX M/S (113T), and an A/T tire, Cooper Discoverer A/TW.

Just wondering if it's worth going with an aggressive tread pattern tire A/TW. The primary use of the Yukon will be towing a pull behind. A minivan is our grocery getter.

mosquitoman · 02-17-2016, 04:24 AM

Check out Goodyear triple treads, 113 load rating. They will be my next tires.

jsmith948 · 02-17-2016, 04:25 AM

We replaced the OEM Generals on our F250 with a set of Cooper HT3 10 ply.
Not an aggressive tread but still rated as mud/snow. We have run BFG A/T before, but they tend to be noisy. Many folks will recommend the Michelins - too pricey for me. There are several brands of LT tires out there that are lower priced than the Michelins. It depends somewhat on how many miles you clock in a year. Personally, can't see buying a tire that will 'time out' before I can wear it out. JMHO

bsmith0404 · 02-17-2016, 04:51 AM

I've run Michelin LTX M/S2 and A/T2, liked both and would recommend both. If you drive on messy/wet roads the A/T2 throws a lot more of the road grime onto the side of the vehicle. I'm currently running the Cooper Discoverer HTP and I'm very happy with them. I used to be a big fan of Michelin and never considered anything else, but decided to try the Coopers due to price and some positive reviews by others. To be honest, I like them better. They balance very well and have a great ride for about $75 per tire less. For me that is a $450 savings and was worth trying. I've driven them in all road conditions and have been very satisfied. I've also run BFG Long Trails, but sold the vehicle before doing any significant miles so I can't really compare them.

Desert185 · 02-17-2016, 09:30 AM

I've had excellent results with Michelin MS, Bridgestone Revo 2's and Cooper tires. I currently have The Revo's, and so far they're my favorites for handling, mileage and snow traction. I'm close to the replacement limit, though, and am actually considering these:

http://www.patriot.tires/products/lt...nt=12700270147

**JRTJH** · 02-17-2016, 11:08 AM

The last three trucks I've bought all had Michelin LT tires. The F150 I kept for about 35K miles, the gas F250 for about 22K and now the diesel F250 I've got about 14K. Although these mileage figures aren't much of a "test" for durability, I've been happy with the tires. On my DW's Escape and on our previous Mountaineer (Explorer), we got well over 90K on the P series of the same Michelin's. I'm hoping for similar wear (if I can manage to keep this truck long enough to get there) LOL

On my Ranger I ran Cooper Discoverer Sport M&S, and on all of our SUV's, we have run Cooper winter tires. The current Cooper tires on our Escape have 4 winters on them and they have been excellent. They are quiet on the highway, good traction in mud and snow and show very little wear in about 30K of winter driving.

I can't say anything bad about Goodyear or Goodrich since I've had very little experience with those brands and the last Firestone's we had were "recalled by Ford in 1999/2000.

I believe that no matter which tires you decide, keeping them rotated, balanced and at the correct pressure for the load is probably more important than what brand you buy (assuming the load/speed/wear factors are similar).

shov · 02-17-2016, 11:19 AM

I am on my second set of Michelin LTX AT/2's and love them. For my diesel they wear very good and provide great traction in all weather!

CWtheMan · 02-17-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterbrown

I'm in the market for new tires for my 2008 Yukon XL Denali. Would like to get a few opinions on a good set of rubbers that have limit sidewall flex but aren't abusive to passengers when the truck is unhitched. I've been reading about Michelin LTX M/S2 (load and speed is 113H). They are more expensive than I'd like but seem to have great ratings.

On the lower end, I've seen good reviews of Cooper Discoverer H/T plus. The load rating is higher on these at 117; speed is only T. Other tires I've been looking at at BFG Long Trail T/A Tours, Michelin Defender LTX M/S (113T), and an A/T tire, Cooper Discoverer A/TW.

Just wondering if it's worth going with an aggressive tread pattern tire A/TW. The primary use of the Yukon will be towing a pull behind. A minivan is our grocery getter.

I've seen this post on a couple of other forums. You're getting it around, aren't you?

I posted on it under another user name.

PhilDeb · 02-17-2016, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWtheMan

I've seen this post on a couple of other forums. You're getting it around, aren't you?

I posted on it under another user name.

Evidently so do you.

Michelin are not what they used to be. In fact, we had a heck of a time trying to find round 18 or 20" Michelins to reduce vibrations on the newer GM trucks.

Coopers seem to be holding up well for most everyone. Like they said, the BFG and Mastercraft get noisy. Generals wore out rather quickly. Firestone/Bridgestone have a few decent ones too as does Goodyear.

I'd say you can have a great smooth ride or a stiff non-flexing sidewall but not both. For every good side, there seems to be a tradeoff.

TonyCO · 02-17-2016, 04:33 PM

I just purchased new tires for my F150. I wanted LT for towing and have always used Michelin. In my opinion tires are the number one most important part so I was never afraid to spend more money for quality. That being said I went with BFG KO/2 this time around. The snow has killed me this year so I just had to get something more aggressive. I decided to go with Michelin LTX AT/2, but the BFG's were in stock and they gave me such a great deal I couldn't say no. They are definitely more aggressive than anything I've had in the past, but so far so good. They are noisier than the stock P tires, but not enough to make me care. I ran the regular LTX's on my Suburban for years and loved them. If you are sticking to a highway type tire I don't think you can go wrong with LTX, but if you want more aggressive these KO2's are doing well so far. Both are definitely worth the money in my opinion.

Cabindweller · 02-27-2016, 06:05 AM

I almost always run ATs and have tried most of the major brands discussed here (except Mich). I prefer Coopers. The AT3s would be my recommendation.

**sourdough** · 02-27-2016, 10:18 AM

The BFGs are noisy from my experience. Had the KO/2's and took them off at 20k due to noise. Bought the Rugged Trail?, a little less aggressive, and took them off at 40k because that's when I replace tires but they were also so noisy it was hard to have a conversation in the vehicle. Don't know how many miles you have on the tires but they start out pretty quiet and as the miles add up they just get louder and louder. I think that is just the trade off for aggressive tread - I've had noise issues on virtually all of the more aggressive tires I've owned.

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