Just wondering what you dually guys are doing for tires, my 2011 now as 39K oin it and the generals it came with are getting a bit thin on tread.....Truck is used for towing a 15K 5th wheeler. Thinking about a set of Michelin's but wondering what others are thinking......

 

I'm running the Cooper Discoverer AT3's on my Dodge dually. Been happy with them so far, seem to work well across the board, snow mud, wet or dry. Since I can't wait to see the truck go and I'm not at all impressed with the tires Ford offers, I'm considering putting a set on the new Ford once I get it, haven't verified they have it in the Ford size yet but I'd bet they do.

 

This isn't my DRW but I know these tires have made it around 60k+.
I'm thoroughly impressed but they do need to be replaced.
Almost wouldn't believe it if I didn't know the truck since it hauls a gooseneck horse trailer all the time.

This is a 2009 F-350 and pics are from Feb 2009.

 

My truck came with the above posted BFG's. 30,000 miles and right at half tread wear left. 12,000 miles towing a 5er or trailer. I do 7500 mile rotates with every other one being a tire breakdown and full rotation. Costs a little more but pays off in high miles.

 

I didn't realize those came as OEM.
I figured they swaped them out right away.
I also don't know his tire rotation schedule other than it's well maintained.

 

I guess I don't understand the breakdown and full rotation part. I am trying visualize what exactly takes place there but just can't get a handle on it. OK I got an idea, RR to LF and LR to RF something like that? I think I might have it now, still learning about the DRW trucks. If you don't mind can you explain it a little bit.

 

Better yet, those BFG's being OEM means they're at 65k.

 

Hi Tim,

Sorry, I would have answered you sooner, but, I continue to get this aggrevating DATABASE ERROR thing that forces me to have to quit the application and wait a few minutes before I can get back on FTE. Anybody else getting this error?


Anyway, let's see if I can do this without goofing it up.

First rotation was at 5000 miles and was a simple left to right and vice versa swap. Rear tires stayed on the rear and fronts stayed up front. Then the next swap came at 12,500. Since the inside tires are mounted on steel wheels, you have to break them down to get them either to the front axle or to the outside dual location. Then you also have the white sidewall in or out issue to contend with. The next rotation came at 20,000 and was starting to show some minor feathering on one of the front tires so we had to break down again to move that tire to the rear axle. The last rotate was at 27,500, and we just did a simple side swap. When you add in the wear differences, which is minimal, you have to keep the dually sets close as possible to the same tread remaining. I am pretty **** about my tires and taking care of them. Plus, the cost of tires simply amazes me. I do what I can to defer that expense as long as feasible. I used to sell and work on tires long, long time ago when full service filling stations were the norm. I guess I developed a respect and understanding of them at that time. Tire pressure is another variable to long tire life. I tend to run my tire pressures on the upper end of the spectrum. I don't concern myself with a soft squishy ride from a 1 ton dually. I didn't buy this truck to ride like my wife's Cadillac. Also, since I routinely have 1200 to 4000 pounds in the bed of the truck, it is just easier to keep the tires inflated close to or at maximum psi. Under inflated tires cause heat build up which leads to tire destruction and possible failure.

BTW, while visiting with my favorite tire shop manager the other day, we were discussing TPMS. He told me that by, I think, 2015, all vehicles including duallies, will be required to have TPMS from the factory. Also, if I tell him or if he observes a TPMS sensor is not functioning, he is required by law to either repair the sensor, or impound the vehicle. WHAT? Are you fricking kidding me?

Ahhh, what is this world coming too? Hope this made sense. I know others will have their own opinion of how to rotate and care for tires. And that's ok. To each their own. I regularly exceed 50,000 miles on all my vehicles tires. One set of Firestone Steeltex tires gave me over 75,000 happy miles. Firestone quit making that tire. Wonder why?

Check with a reputable tire store. Get their advice.

 

Have a little over 31K on my originals and will probably need new for the summer camping season.

Haven't rotated them yet. Just don't think it is practical with the DRW

 

I got just over 65k out of my oem tires, BFG Rugged Trail, same as pictured above. I tow heavy every day for work. Honestly I didn't think they would last that long, I was surprised. I found a set of the same BFG's that were take-offs at a local tire store when I stopped in for a flat repair and picked them up for $400.00 for the set (4) installed. I found the other two as OEM spares at a off road shop that does conversions and customizing for $100.00 each.
My brother runs the exact same truck and trailer I do and his BFG Rugged Trails lasted him 65k also. He went with Michelins the second time around and is very pleased with them. He gets a little better traction than I do on Ice & snow because the Michelins are sipped and the BFG's are not.

 

David, did/do you rotate regularly?

 

Yea Ron, I rotate whenever I start to see wear on the outer edges of the front tires, usually shows up every 6000 -7000 miles.

 

Yepr, same here. I believe 7500 is the OEM recommendation for rotates. IIRC

 

I don't know about breaking down the dually wheels, but it sure helps to break down and move inside to outside on steer wheels, and spare if it is in the front wheel rotation. Yes you lose the raised white letters, but cupping disappears quickly and without vibration.

 

Really impressed with my OEM Michelin LTX/2s so far.