Hello,

I'm interested in some feedback on tires to put on my F250 6.7 when the time comes, especially from fellow tower's. I pull a 12k 5th wheel approximately ten times a year. I'm looking for something that handles well on the road, as well as in the Indiana snow months. Any positive/negative information on Michelin defender, Goodyear Duratrac, Nitto branded rubber. I know there is a lot on the internet about these in general, but I'm curious about these from a towing perspective.

Thanks!

 

Personally, i like the stock Michelin LT-ATX2 that came on my last two trucks. I regularly get 60K out of them, but that is probably because my daily commute is 60mi roundtrip of expressway. Others get less out of them. Of course there are other tires that are more agressive, but for me, they work well in winter, and I tow my 16K fifth wheel probably 3K miles per year. My buddy has some Nitto's on his Chevy 3500, and they look nice, but are pretty much toast after one season of towing with them.

 

running Cooper AT3's good tow tire, runs cool and does great in the snow and mud.

 

Another vote for the Michelin LTX AT2...smooth ride..hardly any noise and seem to lasting pretty good. Just keep them on the pavement because the offroad traction is limited.

 

Michelins are not great in ice/snow or cold weather. The tread patterns and rubber compounds they use are not real compatible with the great white north. But, maybe that is not a concern for you. I've had great luck with Goodyear Wrangler ATs. I'm sure there are other good alternatives as well. But, I stick with the Goodyears.

 

I am a huge fan of the BFG AT K02 tires. I have the stock Michelin's on the truck now, with 70,000 miles, and will probably get another 15,000 out of them, but they cost more and don't have the snow/ice traction of the BFG's.
I had Nitto Grappler's on one truck but they were awful. No traction even in the rain, let alone snow or ice. Absolutely detested those tires.

 

I have the BFG KO2's on my truck as well. Great snow/ice traction in winter, seem to be wearing well and tow fine. I personally don't give 2 shizzlenits about tire "noise", I want traction (both winter and summer) and good wear. They are quieter and better winter traction than the BFG KO's I ran last set.

But anything would be better than the stock Contricrap tires that came OEM on my truck. Those were total garbage. Only useful for tire fires.

 

If you are concerned with snow, take a look at tires that are rated with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. I think it makes a difference in snow country. Some of the more popular 3PMSF tires are the BF Goodrich KO2s, Hankook Dynapros, Goodyear Duratracs and most Wranglers, General Grabber AT2s in most sizes and the Nitto Exo Grappler AWTs.

 

I ran 4 sets of the Michelins on my 2011 truck. Averaged about 30,000 miles per set of tires. Traction was OK during the first half of tread life. Not so great once the sipes wear off during the last half of the tires life.

I've mostly run the Toyo AT/2 in 295/65R20s on my 2015 and now 2017 trucks. My current set has 50,000 miles on them and still has another 10-15000 miles of tread left. So definitely better tread life than the Michelins for me.

I did try one set of 35x12.5R20 tires on my 2015 truck. Their problem was the lower Load Rating of most tires sized in inches vs the LT Metric. ( 35x12.5r20 vs LT295/65R20) I had belt problems with them when towing in summer heat.so they only lasted about 16.000 miles and I went back to the Toyos

So my advice to the OP is to make sure what ever tires you get, have a load rating that is greater than the load your 5th wheel will put on you truck.

 

Thanks for your replies! I appreciate the input.

 

The minimum load rating I'll put on my truck and 5er E.

 

Another vote for the BFG A/T KO2. great traction in snow, great towing stability. Had the Michelins on my 2012 & they were absolutely worthless in the snow & ice.