I go through quite a few tires on the work trucks. I'm currently switching my philosophy from 'cheaper is best!' to 'let's stop and think this through.' It seems like most of the tires I buy- (Transforce) last either 2 years(40k miles) or knobbies, 1 year (20k miles). Being as I'm paying about $150 each, I'm thinking about switching to the BF Goodrich all terrain AT tires. I've read and see on their website that 60k is not too much to expect. If an extra $200 a set gets me an extra year or more, I'd save money. So my question is, looks aside, what's going to give me the longest lasting and best fuel economy on my work trucks. We pull a 7k lb trailer around all day with it. Snow isn't an issue- I'll put knobbies back on for snowplow season. These are strictly summer tires. I know there was a thread on this a few weeks ago, but I can't find it. Sorry for rehashing an old question, and thanks in advance for helping me out!

 

I'm no expert on tires, but if you upgrade to 19.5s they'll last forever compared to the load range E tires...

 

Though this is true... It's also a price that you'll pay for ever time you drive the trucks. 19.5s ride like a donkey going down a smooth road....

I haven't heard much bad about the bfg, I have not personally owned a set but have a lot of friends that have and under normal mostly unloaded conditions 60k is feasible.

 

Michelin LTX ms2

 

I do not have any experience with BFG AT but we are starting to have a lot of issues with the BFG MT km2. The mileage is not that good but we are having a lot of belt issues (slipping and a couple unwrap like a recap_). I really think its the abuse we put them through though. Its not air psi as all trucks are set at the door plate factory rating and all have tire psi sensors.

 

I went to Toyo A T II, 50,000 mile warranty.

 

If it was traction you was after, I'd say ya go after the BFG AT. But most diesels are only seeing about 40K out of them. For mileage, I'd recommend the Michelin's stated above then probaby the Toyo AT2.

 

Jeb, my vote would be the Michelins also. They are a great tire on the street, and usually go at LEAST 50k when loaded properly and rotated.

 

Anybody like Coopers, and if so hide they hold up and which model?

 

cooper AT3. aggressive, but quiet. plus they are a 55,000 mile load range E tire.
i will never put another type tire on any vehicle again.
they work fantastic in snow and mud, but are very quiet on the road.
the owners of the tire warehouse where i get mine from have them on all their trucks, personal vehicles included, and regularly get over 70,000 miles out of them.

plus when you buy 4 tires there is a $70 mail in rebate promotion going on through 7-15-2014.

 

Had real good luck with the first set of ATR's...got like 65k on them. Then I got the last set of ATR's when the were moving to AT3's. I've done more towing with this set, but I'll be lucky to get 50k. I had a set on my Ram 1500...lasted 35k. Got $15/tire towards a new set.

I think I'm going Michelin's next.

 

Sledhead, just out of curiosity, why would the tires on a F350 with a 7.3 diesel wear faster than an f350 with a gas engine? I'm not questioning your credibility, just hadn't heard of that before... Is it because of torque?

 

Weight of the 7.3 vs a V8 gasser would be my guess

 

improper tire pressure. i get the same mileage out of tires whether they are on gas or diesel trucks.

 

What tires did you have before the coopers? I've considered changing over myself but I've "heard" of people taking a big hit on fuel economy and I'm not prepared to give up 2-3 MPG for tires.