More tire dilemnas!!! Opinions WANTED!!!

[Fins_UP]

Like the post states, I have several dilemnas I'm trying to work through with a new tire purchase. And before the "did you search" movement gets going, yes I did search. Couldn't find anything that really answered my questions. By all means, if there's some great post out there that I missed, please link to it here. I'm typically not one of those people who just jumps on here without at least doing a little bit of searching first!

I have a 2004 SE, has about 32k - 33k miles on it now. It's 2 1/2 years old and I've put up with the stock Dunlop tires about as long as I can bare. This decision was recently made even easier as my girlfriend had the car out in Alexandria, went through some kind of construction zone, and got a flat tire. So now I'm without a spare. And I don't feel like sinking ANY money into a new Dunlop tire. I know there are other options other than replacing all 4 tires, but with the winter coming, I decided that this was a sign to get rid of the remaining Dunlops.

That being said, here are my issues:

1) <b>Size</b>: Based on what I've read on this forum, it sounds like I can go up 1 size from 265/65/17 to 265/70/17 without too many issues. In theory that sounds great, but what worries me is reading of a few people who have had rubbing issues. Those that have upgraded, any major issues? Rubbing? Handling? Any drastic change in gas mileage? Also - if you have upgraded your tire size, if you have pictures of your rig from the side with the new larger tires, can you post?! Thanks!!!

2) <b>Brand</b>: I've narrowed it down to getting either the BFG A/T KOs or the Bridgestone Dueler Revos. At tirerack.com they are $172 and $174 I think, so the price difference is negligible. I've had BFG tires before and been very happy. That's the way I'm leaning right now. But reading the reviews here and on tire rack, sounds like you can't go wrong with the Revos either. I'm looking for some opinions here. Any particular reason I should steer clear of one of these tires?

3) <b>Spare tire</b>: If I DON'T upgrade tire size, I'm going to leave the stock Dunlop spare underneath the truck. If I DO upgrade the tire size, I have a dilemna with the spare tire. Do I just keep the stock Dunlop under there as an emergency backup? Can I even upgrade the stock spare tire size?!? Will an upgraded 265/70/17 tire fit in the spare tire spot? Those that did upgrade all 4 of their tires to the 265/70/17 size, did you also replace the spare or not? I'm curious as to what you all have done. It's already getting a little expensive replacing just 4 of the tires, so I'm leaning toward upgrading the tire size but leaving the old stock spare underneath.

Your thoughts and opinions are welcome! If you have pics of your truck with the upgraded tire size, please post!!! Thanks!

-Alex

 

[Fred MaN]

I looked into this one and if you go with a 245/70/17 you will have no problem with keeping the spare if it's a 265/65/17 both tires wil be just about the same.

There is a much greater difference between going to a 265/65 to a 265/70 than a 265/65 to a 245/70.

The 245/70 will be about the same hight but just a touch less wide but that depends on the tire as well. Some A/T tires in 245 are just about the same as your Dunflop 265 tires.

 

[Fins_UP]

Thanks for the reply!

So what you're telling me is that if I go with the upgraded 265/70/17 size, a 5th tire will NOT fit in the spare tire spot, correct???

 

[Kmvreter]

Many owners here have upsized to 265/70-17's. I don't recall anyone having rubbing and many have fit it as a spare. You're on your own for brand (I prefer Michelin; BFG is a Mich company; I have KO's for winter.)

 

[Bill42]

Upsizing one won't create any rubbing issues. It will fit underneath. Mine does.

 

[Fred MaN]

I can't comment on if the spare will fit if you upsize but some here have and have not had any problems.

I just purchased new treds and I just stuck with the stock 265/65/17 but I did go to a tire that was quite a bit more aggressive for more winter bite.

You have many tires to choose from but you may want to stick with one that offers a great deal of bite if you live in the snow belt. You may gain some tire noise but the bite may be worth it to you.

Don't be afraid of some of the no name brand tires I have tried many of them and some of them were better than the big name tires for like half the cost.

Ask people who drive often and in bad weather.

 

[Fred MaN]

By the way I purchased Mastercraft tires from a local dealer in 265/65/17 for around $ 120.00 per tire. The Mastercraft Courser A/T is made by Cooper tire and this is what I had on my Dodge before the 4runner and they were quite good You may wan't to check them out.

 

[wolfgang]

Are you looking at the 2 mentioned as just winter tires? They seem like pretty agressive tread for year round use in Southern MD. Guess if alot of time was spend off road they'd be appropriate. I believe a knobby tread does negatively impact gas mileage and, of course, increase both road noise and, in some instances, dry highway stopping distances. If you look at some of the replies you are getting --- they're from folks who deal with real snow falls.

 

[Ed Rooney]

My experience with the revos has been positive. Road noise is negligible. I don't think I notice any difference. Gas mileage is about the same as always through the first tank and a half.

I just moved to MD from MN and I think a good wet/slush/snow tire would be more important here. When it does get nasty, they aren't as diligent about plowing the roads, especially late in the year when they have run out of money.

 

[Fins_UP]

Thanks for all the replies-

I'm looking at this set of tires for year-round use. I went to school for 5 years in Northern VT so I'm aware of driving in the snow, etc. Winter down here is a joke compared to that. So yeah, maybe I don't need *that* agressive of a tire. That's why I'm asking for opinions!

I do know enough to know that the stock dunlops suck in any kind of slushy/snowy mix we get down here. I'd like something that performs well year round. The winters here aren't bad enough to justify having "winter" or "snow" tires only.

 

[Fred MaN]

If your winters are not bad where you are then I would go with one of the following

Goodyear Fortera triple tred

Firestone Destination A/T

Yokohama Geolander H/T-S G051

Just my opinion but I do have exp. with two of them.

 

[Kmvreter]

Thanks for all the replies-

I do know enough to know that the stock dunlops suck in any kind of slushy/snowy mix we get down here. I'd like something that performs well year round. The winters here aren't bad enough to justify having "winter" or "snow" tires only.

Then why are you looking at an A/T? Get a good All Season (Mich CT gets my vote.)

 

[Fins_UP]

OK bare with me here, I don't know much about tires, which is why I'm asking!

I like the looks of both the Bridgestone and (in particular) the BFG A/T KO but I understand looks certainly are not everything.

Per some of your suggestions, I've been looking at the Goodyear Fortera TripleTred on TireRack and *really* like what people have to say about them.

What exactly makes the BFG and Bridgestone tires an "A/T" and why should I steer clear of them (per some of your advice)? I'm a little lost on why they'd be such a poor choice of tire. I do some occasional off-roading, be it very little. The car also goes on long ski trips to Vermont where snow is a major factor.

What makes, say, the Goodyear Fortera a better choice for me?

Again - thanks for all the help and remember I'm a little bit of a tire novice, so take it easy on me!!! If I knew what I was doing I wouldn't ask for help and opinions...

 

[Koz]

If you drive mainly on pavement and need a great bad weather tire, you can't get a better tire then the REVO. They are probably the best owner rated A/T tire on the market. I would also recommend staying with the OEM size (265-65-17). The 70s are not as wide and you don't have to fuss with the alignment/spare or worry about you speed accuracy.

Koz

 

[Kmvreter]

OK bare with me here, I don't know much about tires, which is why I'm asking!

I like the looks of both the Bridgestone and (in particular) the BFG A/T KO but I understand looks certainly are not everything.

Per some of your suggestions, I've been looking at the Goodyear Fortera TripleTred on TireRack and *really* like what people have to say about them.

What exactly makes the BFG and Bridgestone tires an "A/T" and why should I steer clear of them (per some of your advice)? I'm a little lost on why they'd be such a poor choice of tire. I do some occasional off-roading, be it very little. The car also goes on long ski trips to Vermont where snow is a major factor.

What makes, say, the Goodyear Fortera a better choice for me?

Again - thanks for all the help and remember I'm a little bit of a tire novice, so take it easy on me!!! If I knew what I was doing I wouldn't ask for help and opinions...

Not saying to stear clear of A/T's. Looks and sounds like you need to go back to square one and decide whether you need an All Season (A/S) or All Terrain (A/T). Go into a few tire shops and get a hands on look at the brands you are considering. A good A/S will give a car like ride, isn't as aggresive as an A/T but will handle slush and light snow (unlike the experince many have with the Dunflops.) Since you had the BFG A/T before then you have experience with an excellent tire. Did you like how it handled and were you happy with the noise level? Then get it again. Others run an A/T year-round. I don't but that's just me.

 

[Thai]

"AT" tires tend to have more aggressive tread pattern...more space between the tread lugs. This helps in grapping onto dirt/rocks and help clear mud quicker. Basically, AT tires "gum" up like a smooth dounut less than highway tires. Highway tires tend to have the tread lugs really close to each other for less noise and less rolling resistance. Lugs being further apart and aggressive tread are better for off-road, but it does create more noise on highway, more rolling resistance, and potentially increase braking distance (if everything else being equal) because of less rubber contact to pavement. AT tires tend to be more heavily constructed...again, good for off-roading, but bad for fuel economy, ride comfort on-road, and handling/performance.

After saying above, many "AT" tires nowadays favor more on-road performance than off-road because tire manufacturers know that very few people take their rig off-road. Thus, these "AT" tires are really no more than highway tires with an aggressive look. Example of this is the new Pirelli Scorpion ATR.

REVO, like Koz said above, is a very good highway tire for the occasional off-roader (like yourself). I would also look at Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor.

 

[wolfgang]

"potentially lessen braking distance " I'm sure what was mean was "increase" stopping distance or lessen braking performance. I always try to time purchase with tire manf specials -- The Bridgestone one - $75 off 4 ended on 7 Oct. CostCo now has $60 off 4 BFG or Michelins. Goodyear frequently has $75 off offers to - last was back in Aug of Sep.

 

[Thai]

Thanks wolfgang for correction...post is fixed.