Hello all,

I just bought a 2004 F450 DRW and I am in need if tire recommendations.

I live in Miami, FL but make a trip once a year to see snow, but need it to handle the rain and mud of where I live. I m driving to Virginia in a few weeks, any and all recommendations are appreciated.

 

10 ply with a load rating of E

 

Thanks, is there a brand you could recommend?

 

I have have Firestone trans force on my 96 and been pleased with them. I have General grabbers on my 15 and so far they are not too bad.

 

Is your truck 4x4? If you're going near snow or mud, you will need an aggressive tire. 19.5 tires are not the best invention when it comes to adverse driving conditions. The aggressive tires will be loud. Michelins are the best in my opinion. My brother like Continentials. I have Coopers on my truck, and they're OK. China tires are a lot cheaper than the U.S. made tires, or tires made in Europe or Japan.

 

Negative, its 4x2.

Have you heard of Triangle or Goodride?

 

Since it's a 4x2, then a straight tread on the front is what you want, and a somewhat aggressive on the rear. I only recommend an aggressive tread for the rears because you said you will be going into snow and mud.

No, I have not heard of either of those brands you mention.

 

Ok. I apologize for the dumb question, but why straight in the front?

I received a quote for $189 hercules tires. Heard of these?

 

If the front axle does not pull, you won't need the aggressive tread up there. Straight tread will steer better. Plus, the aggressive tread is noisy. No reason to have it on the front as well as the rear. I have heard of Hercules, but I don't have any experience with them. I know they are china made. The American tires will likely be double in price.

 

My Dad has a 2006 F550 with the 19.5" wheels. In the front he runs Continental HSR's, for as long as I can remember that's all he's ever ran in the front. He's had a few different ones in the rear. He just got a new set in the rear, but I can't remember what they were. They looked pretty good, and he said this is the best his truck has ever gone in the snow, and he's had it since new. So I'll have to look and see what they are when I get a chance and I'll get back to ya.

 

Sorry double post.

 

Michelin LTX AT2 have been phenomenal for me, but I've got 4x4. On some occasions they don't grip with rears only and I have to engage front axle to pull out. But otherwise, quiet, durable, low rolling resistance, good on gravel. Seeing as you're 4x2, I think you wouldn't want to take chances on grip. From that perspective, I'd suggest the new BFGoodrich T/A KO2. Or BFG Rugged Terrains -- these are actually a factory option on 2015s if you don't want Michelins.

 

Cooper makes a good tired, made and manufactured right here in the good Ole USA. Not to mention priced well.

 

Some you guys are missing that he's asking about a 2004 F450, these have 19.5's. Most of the suggested tires aren't available in that size.


I ran a company F550 for about 4 years, mechanics truck loaded heavy. Started with Michelins, rib front (XZE) and XDS2 rear. Just flat wore them out. Perfect, even tread wear. Boss decided to save the company $600 and put Conti HSR fronts and HDR rears. The HSR's were a nightmare, had to be constantly rotated or it would have destroyed them. The rears wore ok. None of them lasted anywhere near the Michelins.


Long story short, Michelins are expensive, but they do perform. I will NEVER buy another Continental tire, their cars tires are loud, the truck tires failed to impress, hell even their mountain bike tires I had died from sidewall seperation with near new tread.

 

I agree that the American tires are good. But, the 225/75R-19.5 tires are likely made overseas. The China plant I believe is closed, but they have one in India I believe. I have their tires on all my trucks, and the 19.5's are foreign made.

I've never been a big fan of Continentials. And, I have heard that Michelins are by far the best tires to run on these trucks. Expensive? Yes. I will try them next go-a-round.