I cant speak for any other manufacturers, but i work for Michelin North America, and i can assure you that we make OE designated tires along side, with the same processes, and actually with TIGHTER tolerances than our replacement market tires.
This Is Michelins polocy.....Put an awsome OE tire on a customers vehicle, and when it comes time for new ones, that customer will want the Michelins that he had from the factory.
I recommend for a truck the Michelin Ltx/Ms , or the BFG All Terrain T/a
Ive run several sets of both, and love them both!
Hey Bob:
I love the LTX M/S's...my '02 E150 came stock with them and I replaced them with the same.
I recently had to get some new tires for a little SUV, 215/70x16. I would have bought the LTX M/S's for that, but they were like $170 each, so I got some of the new BFG Long Trail T/A Tours for like $105 which seem to work really well.
I'm thinking that the BFG's are kind of a "poor man's LTX M/S"...is there a fundamental difference in them that makes them cheaper to produce than the Michelins? They do seem to need a bit more weight to balance than my Michelins, but have a higher wear rating, seem very nice and quiet, and even have a T speed rating vs S on the LTX.
I've had four sets of MXV/MXV4/Energy MXV4/Primacy MXV4's on cars over the years, and IMO they are amazing tires. (Have also had T/A's, Touring T/A's, etc, since the late 70's and they've been OK but maybe not amazing.)
It's strange because in the 235/75x15 size for my van, there is only a $20 difference per tire, so I'd buy the LTX's for my van next time. Again, the big question is why the Michelins are so expensive in the 16" size, even the little ones, and if you perceive the Long Trail Tours as being very inferior???
Do they make you dress in the Michelin Man suit and have you hug the tires when you inspect them? Is that you in the commericials?
Continentals were absolutely horrible tires! they came stock on my taurus and f150. Luckily (according to industry news) the German (i think) based company folded all their U.S. operations, and only operate in Europe now.
It really depends on the type of B.F.G. about the build quality. They do make some lower end tires that are cheaper, but I know for a fact that a few of their higher end tires (like the G force on the newer mustangs) are nothing other than Michelins, with the B.F. Goodrich plaquettes stamped on them.
ive actually heard mixed about the Radial Long Trails. Ive never tried them myself though. and you answered your own question about the tire prices.....the bigger the rim size, the more dramatic the price increase is. you can buy 31x10.5x15 Ltx/ms's all day for not that much, but you start stepping up to your 17's and 18's and the price jumps.
I would have bought Ltx/ms's in a heartbeat for my 05 but they didnt make them in the 285/70/17 size that i wanted, so i got the B.F.G. All Terrain T/a's
so far after a few thousand miles I love them! just took a 1500 mile round trip over the holidays and they did great on the interstate. plus there great for occasional offroading.
just for the record I didnt even know The LTX/MS's came OE. The sizes we run are all replacement market.
no we dont have to wear Mr. Bib's costume, but thats exactly what i do what you saw in the commercial. lol
That commercial was true though, most people dont believe it, but every tire is actually visually and hand inspected, and machine balance tested before they leave the door.
I don't know if anyone else is on here from Western PA, but the roads around here seem to really wear our tires down quick. I don't care if you have real expensive replacement tires or whatever came OEM, we only seem to get 18k to 28k maximum on a set of tires. I'm speaking from my experience and also my dad, brother, and several guys I work with that have pickup trucks have had similar results. It really sucks and makes it not worth it to spend the extra money on better tires.
__________________ 2009 F-150 Platinum 4x4 White Sand Tri-Coat
I don't know if anyone else is on here from Western PA, but the roads around here seem to really wear our tires down quick. I don't care if you have real expensive replacement tires or whatever came OEM, we only seem to get 18k to 28k maximum on a set of tires. I'm speaking from my experience and also my dad, brother, and several guys I work with that have pickup trucks have had similar results. It really sucks and makes it not worth it to spend the extra money on better tires.
Most of my tread seems to end up on my ramp to get into out drive way. You have to take a sharp turn and it seems to leave tire marks all over the concrete ramp. Wears the tires down like im driveing on sand paper. Same goes for when im trying to manouver around the other 4 cars and trailer in the drive way. If you have to do anything like the amount of turn i do a day with my trailer to get in and out of places then your tires cant expected to last long.
Continentals were absolutely horrible tires! they came stock on my taurus and f150. Luckily (according to industry news) the German (i think) based company folded all their U.S. operations, and only operate in Europe now.
My '04 Expy came with those POS's. I was driving to Maine and had a blow out on I-95 doing 75 mph loaded with people and gear. The tires only had 28k on them. I went to Sam's club the next day and bought 4 Michelans. I've never been happier, the most forgiving tires ever.
Tim
__________________ SCPO United States Coast Guard Retired '04 Expedition XLT 4x2 '99 Taurus Wagon SE 24V '88 F-150 4x4 XLT Lariat 5.8L 5Spd
Rights of Passage: CPO Initiation, Submarine Qualified (SS), Golden Shellback, Blue Nose, Order of the Ditch
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