Best Highway tire?

[fastgenious]

Best Highway tire-HELP decide

Hi guys,

I will need new tires soon for my 2004 4Runner(V8) and am trying to decide which tire would be best for me. I need a 265/70/17 and have looked at Michelins(big bucks) and also some Toyo's which I have on my wifes MDX. The vehicle is usually used for highway use and in snow/rain type weather. Something quiet would also be nice. Any recommendatiuons? Thanks.

 

[XJeepguy]

I know you dont care for the price on the Michelins BUT I have had these ( Michelin

 

[CJ3Flyr]

As hard as this to say the 'sleeper' tire seems to be the Firestone Destination A/T. Even though it's an A/T it's getting rave on-road reviews at tirerack.com. Pirelli has a great choice but only in 265/65/17.
:cheers:

 

[Uneek]

I second XJeepguy's opinion. I have Michelin CrossTerrains and they perform flawlessly in snow and are super quiet. Definitely a great choice for a highway tire.

 

[snhrph]

I second XJeepguy's opinion. I have Michelin CrossTerrains and they perform flawlessly in snow and are super quiet. Definitely a great choice for a highway tire.

I'm with you on that. Michelin CTs are awesome. I have them on my T4R, they are awesome on the highway. They also perform well on wet roads, and can handle snow as well. The Dunflops on the GX need to be replaced before winter, will most likely replace them with Michelin CTs. The only other contender is the Goodyear Fortera Triple Tread.

 

[lockerc18]

I'm with you on that. Michelin CTs are awesome. I have them on my T4R, they are awesome on the highway. They also perform well on wet roads, and can handle snow as well. The Dunflops on the GX need to be replaced before winter, will most likely replace them with Michelin CTs. The only other contender is the Goodyear Fortera Triple Tread.

I've had both on my runner, and I'm here to tell you that the Cross Terrains are MUCH better. Those came as OEM on the truck, and they were really great in snow and bad weather. And on dry pavement, and on loose sandy beaches, and so on. The Triple Treads don't have the same level of traction, no matter what their marketing hype is. And their sidewalls must be thinner because they make the truck wallow on the road, whereas the CTs never did that. I can't say I exactly regret getting the Triple Treads, but IMHO, the CTs are a better tire. Also, the TTs are a little noisier than the CTs, and my mileage has dropped by a MPG or two.

I got them because I have them on a Honda Accord, and they've been really good on that. But it's a different story on a truck.

When it comes time to replaces the TTs, I sure won't get them again. I have always had good luck with Michelins, on cars and trucks, and I will go back to them.

You know, you pay 30 grand or so for your truck, so why worry about a few extra pennies for tires? I don't know what the pricing is these days, but the TTs sure weren't cheap.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

In my first response I was running under the assumption you were being price sensitive.

I totally agree with the accolades for the Michelin CT's. They were original equipment on mine. The only thing 'wrong' with them for my taste and needs is they aren't 265/70 on FJ rims

If you can swing it I'd say get them. Costco runs deals on them sometimes (I think).

:cheers:

 

[Uneek]

If you can swing it I'd say get them. Costco runs deals on them sometimes (I think).

:cheers:

There's an upcoming (maybe on-going now) $60 or $80 off for Michelin's and BFG's at Costco--it has some criteria or restriction on what gets the $80. I saw it in the large mailer coupon book.

I never had any issues with any Michelin tires on any of my vehicles, whether it's an plain regular everyday tire or one geared towards a specific purpose.

Had other brands and had blow outs or slow leaks with them. (My Michelins don't lose any pressure over three or four months, some of the other brands I had, need to add a PSI or two every month and some, a couple weeks.)

 

[Photog3]

Something to know about tread design. The Cross Terrain can not do as well as others in wet or snow, simply because the outer tread is completely closed.

Other than the siping, there are no edges to ging forward traction. This causes the tire to glide on these two rings, and it also only allows the water to escape from the rear of the tread, as it is walled off on the sides. The solid rings are what makes the tire so quiet, at the expense of wet road performance. This is probably a good tire in the southwest, on a vehicle that sees dry pavement most of its life.

Michelin does make a very nice tire for the SUV's and so does Goodyear. They both have their own problems too. They tend to pick up pebbles, then eject them at about 35 mph. If a tire is going to have a problem, that isn't a bad one. There are other tires also; but here are the two tires I can speak about.

Notice that both have open lugs on the edge of the tread. They each have good water evacuation channels. Plenty of siping, and edges, with no solid rings of rubber.

Michelin LTX M/S

Goodyear Silent Armor

I would not use these tire for mud, or deep snow, or on a Mercedes SL. These are LT tires, not car tires. They make a tiny bit more noise than the Cross Terrain. The LTX is more quiet than the Silent Armor (go figure). They are stout and do not wallow. The Silent Armor also comes in a commercial grade.

These are just my opinions; but they are based on actual information, and tire design, not just "seat of the pants" feel of the tires. Might be worth 4 cents instead of 2 cents.:

 

[XJeepguy]

Is the top photo suppose to be a Cross-Terrain ? Thats different than mine are , my CT's have deep siping right down on the shoulder . Its a crappy picture but if you look closely at my post above you can see what I mean. When you look at the CT in person its very obvious . If your pic is suppose to be a CT I think you posted the wrong picture .

Something to know about tread design. The Cross Terrain can not do as well as others in wet or snow, simply because the outer tread is completely closed.

Other than the siping, there are no edges to ging forward traction. This causes the tire to glide on these two rings, and it also only allows the water to escape from the rear of the tread, as it is walled off on the sides. The solid rings are what makes the tire so quiet, at the expense of wet road performance. This is probably a good tire in the southwest, on a vehicle that sees dry pavement most of its life.

Michelin does make a very nice tire for the SUV's and so does Goodyear. They both have their own problems too. They tend to pick up pebbles, then eject them at about 35 mph. If a tire is going to have a problem, that isn't a bad one. There are other tires also; but here are the two tires I can speak about.

Notice that both have open lugs on the edge of the tread. They each have good water evacuation channels. Plenty of siping, and edges, with no solid rings of rubber.

Michelin LTX M/S

Goodyear Silent Armor

I would not use these tire for mud, or deep snow, or on a Mercedes SL. These are LT tires, not car tires. They make a tiny bit more noise than the Cross Terrain. The LTX is more quiet than the Silent Armor (go figure). They are stout and do not wallow. The Silent Armor also comes in a commercial grade.

These are just my opinions; but they are based on actual information, and tire design, not just "seat of the pants" feel of the tires. Might be worth 4 cents instead of 2 cents.:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

It is a CT. There's two CT tread patterns.

:cheers:

 

[Photog3]

Is the top photo suppose to be a Cross-Terrain ? Thats different than mine are , my CT's have deep siping right down on the shoulder . Its a crappy picture but if you look closely at my post above you can see what I mean. When you look at the CT in person its very obvious . If your pic is suppose to be a CT I think you posted the wrong picture .

Yes, the top image is of a Cross Terrain. Michilan makes the tread slightly different, for different size tires (even the LTX M/S isn't the same pattern in all sizes). And you are correct, there is deep siping through the outer ring of rubber on the Cross-Terrain.

This siping helps improve traction on roads with traction (dry), as it causes the rubber to flex, and reveal the edges of the siping. The more slick the road gets, the less effective this is. Also, as the tire comes into contact with the road, the tread is collapsed, as the curved surface becomes flat (contact patch).

One last point: The siping does not allow the water to be evacuated out the sides of the tread, like actual gaps do, between tread blocks.

 

[Photog3]

I once had a set of the Arizonian Silver Edition tires on my old truck. They were an excellent tire, and lasted 60,000 miles. Quiet, great wet/dry/snow traction. Terrible mud & deep snow traction.

BUT, they do not make it in any 17" sizes. They have another model with 17's,; but still very small tire.

Look at the tread design. Gaps in outer tread ring. No solid rings in the tread. Plenty of siping and lug edges.

 

[004Gunner]

Michelin CTs for me. Definitely great on snow covered/wet pavement and they have a quiet ride to them. They have a smoother feel at highway speeds too, unlike the other tires I have had on 4Runners.

 

[Thai]

If you want some good cheap highway SUV tires, then i recommend: Yokohama Geolander HT/S.

 

[MikesToy]

If the T4R has VSC and ABS, does it matter what tires you have (as long they're brand name tires and not the ones that you've never heard before)?

 

[fastgenious]

Thanks guys but when I go with new tires I have decided to go with these. http://www.toyo.com/docs/tires/tires.asp?lpid=27483&name=Open+Country+H/T%99&category=lgt

Have them on my wifes MDX and they are very quiet and have great traction. I think they will be great for mostly highway travel. My wifes MDX had Michelin CT new from the factory and they were replaced last year with the Toyo's. The Toyo's are much quieter then the CT's and have just as much traction in rain and snow. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Looks good :bigok: I've run the A/T's and they worked very well and lasted good enough. What I liked is they didn't get super slick or ride bad during the last half of their life. Most tires are great for the 1st half, it's a bad last half that makes me crabby.

:cheers:

 

[XJeepguy]

How is the tread wear on these ? We used to sell those and had so many fast wear complaints we had the Yokie rep come in twice a week to deal with them.

If you want some good cheap highway SUV tires, then i recommend: Yokohama Geolander HT/S.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

How is the tread wear on these ? We used to sell those and had so many fast wear complaints we had the Yokie rep come in twice a week to deal with them.

I am using a set of load D 245 70 17 (or maybe they're 75's) on a Dodge 1500 2wd. They are a 3 years old with about 30k on them. They'll make 40-45k and still be legal. They've worked very well thusfar. The wear is right in line with what I was anticipating. The ride, noise level and traction seems fine. I run 45-50psi in them (65psi max). The truck has a 4.7 and is a regular cab. 6ft box so the ride is nothing to write home about but it never was.

:cheers: