Need some tire info/opinions

[Swaro]

My Bridgestone Dueler H/t's are worn out on the front at 23K, and I need to replace them for winter. The rears still have great tread-no I didn't rotate. These tires were terrible in snow.

I'm trying to cut through myth and end up with tires that will at least get me through this winter/snow at a reasonable price.

First option: Mount the new spare up front and buy one new Dueler H/T...cheapest option. I could get through winter with some careful driving. Will this affect ABS/ skid sensors etc? ie. two slightly different diameter tires.

Second option: buy 2 A/T Revos for the front. Some people said "this will tear up your center diff, you now have different ratios in effect and different abilities to grip on each axle. V8/4WD SR5 2003. The dealer's parts man just told me this was not true. ??

I really don't want to spend 700 on tires this year, or I would just go and get 4 Revos.

The parts guy also told me if I went to 16" rims, the dash low air pressure warning light would stay on. The 17" has a chip in it that monitors rotational speed he said. Is this true?

Thanks for any input on this.

 

[spblat]

Man oh man do I LOVE my revos. Better ride, great look, zero rubbing, no lift (yet). But the price tag was indeed painful. Good luck.

 

[02SE]

The Toyo Open Country AT's I currently have, are the best tire I've ever owned.

I had Michelin LTX M/S's for several years, they rode well, wore well, were quiet, but they required constant re-balancing.

The Toyo's have a more aggressive tread, ride better, are wearing well, I haven't noticed any tread noise, and haven't required re-balancing yet. And they took a lot less weight to balance in the first place.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

 

[bulldog-yota]

Hang on lots of questions with little info. I assume your spare is the same as the 4 H/T you have on now 265/65/17.

If you want to go cheap just get another H/T and slap it on with the spare on one axle. No idea why you chewed up the fronts first?? But anyhow put the new ones on the axle with the most wear, in your case front. Your center diff will be fine as the change in diameter is minimal, worn vs new on 2 different axles.

Save up for next year and get some revos then, 4 at one shot.

 

[XC-runner]

Tires

I have some Michelin LTX M/S's on my 98 right now and I really like them. I'm not a big off-roading buff, but they are quiet and have wore well though the years. Just driving up fire roads in California and through snow /ice here in Flagstaff, they handle well. I rotate and balance then quite a bit, but what does it matter, it's free. The Michelin Cross Terrain SUV seem to be really nice. My buddy here in Flag has sme on his 4runner and he is happy with them.

The snow has fallen in Flag. Time to have some fun in the 4runner!!!

 

[Swaro]

thanks for the responses...yes, bulldog, I think that will be my plan. I'll check out those Toyo's first though, 02SE. I did not see a light come on the dash concerning low tire pressure. Not sure if the '03 SR5 has it.

 

[Kanab]

I agree with bulldog, good advise. Also you need to start rotating tires every 5K miles.

 

[olliebear]

I have Toyo Open Country on my Tahoe and they ride very well. Large open tread blocks with little to no noise and handle very well in dry for an AT tire. Good in rain and snow. A true premium tire at at premium price.

I have also bene very satisfied with the Pirelli Scorpion AT. Less costly than the Toyos but still very good road manners, excellent in rain and snow. Bought two sets before trying the Toyos.

My biggest beef with my 17" wheel is the lack of tire selection. IF I had requested the standard 16" wheels I would have much better selection. Oh well, I am sure tire companie will have more tires out in the next year or two as more nad more trucks and SUV arecoming out wiht 17" and 18" as factory wheels.

 

[Borderfolle]

Along the same lines...has anyone had experience with Nokian SUV tires? They come in the 17"size, and make some fine passenger car tires.

 

[TechWrench]

thanks for the responses...yes, bulldog, I think that will be my plan. I'll check out those Toyo's first though, 02SE. I did not see a light come on the dash concerning low tire pressure. Not sure if the '03 SR5 has it.

I don't believe the '05 SR5 has the tire pressure monitoring system. I think that option wasn't available until '04.

I am surprised at the short wear life on your H/Ts. I have about 15k on mine ( I swap out in winter to a set of REVOs), and the wear seems to me normal to me. I had some obvious cornering wear on the fronts when I first rotated them, but nothing I considered drastic. What tire pressure do you run?

 

[khaug]

The current issue of Consumers Reports has a test of SUV tires. You might want to buy a copy or hit the library.

 

[Swaro]

I run 32 psi. The rears are wearing slowly and evenly. The shoulders of the fronts are worn out-inside and outside. Maybe I will try 34 psi on the new tires.

 

[bdelc]

if you are replacing two tires only- always put the two new tires on the rear axle.

 

[AKrunner]

I've got the Nokian Vativa 17". They've been great so far in very wet conditions, and excellent in snow/slush/ice. I live on a steep hill and have experienced zero slippage going up or down.

If you can get a 17" Hakkapelitta I'd go with that, tho. Best snow tire I've ever used. These Vativa's may match the Haks, but I've only had em in the snow for a few weeks now.