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I have BFG Radial T/A tires on my truck. They have been on the truck for 20+ years and have approx 3 miles on them (that's right, THREE). After the initial shake down run I looked at the and the left front tread is separating... you can see the steel belts in the tire. you just can get anything to last anymore !
Started looking at tires ... sizes and prices today on the net and there are lots of brands I don't recognize. The BFGs are there but I noticed the treadwear rating is 400... I think that is a little low. What are you guys using on our trucks and what brands do you recommend.. current sizes are 225-60x15 front and 296-50x15 rears... 8" rims front and 10 rear. Mostly looking for recommendations on brand, I'd like to stick to something with same height or maybe a little taller
20 year old Radial tire wow... it they have been on the truck that long would also have some flat spots that you would never get rid of.
I like and running the Cooper Cobra Radial GT Tire on my '49 F1. What Brands are you unfamiliar with? Cooper Cobra Radial GT 275/60R15 on rear 225/70R15 on front
In my opinion, I wouldn't be concerned with the treadwear rating on tires for our trucks. Let's hope you actually drive 30 or 40 thousand miles in the next 5 years to wear them out before they rot from age. However, the likelyhood of that is probably pretty small. Our classic trucks, for the most part, for most of us, are not our number one daily driver. Sure, there's exceptions, but by and large they will never see those kind of miles put on them. Bottom line, John, get the tires you can afford, want and look good, and not worry about the details.
There aren't many choices in those sizes. If memory serves me right there are very few choices in a 295/50R15 these days... The BFG that you currently have, the Cooper Cobra, and possibly Hankook are about it unless you want a no-name import of questionable quality. You might want to check into a 275/60R15 for the rear. It's a little taller at 28 inches vs 26.6 inches for the 295/50R15, but it's not quite as wide.
I show several choices in the 225/60R15... Uniroyal, Cooper, Toyo, General, and BFG. If you want a little taller in the front a 225/70R15 would be a good choice. 25.6 diameter for the 225/50R15 vs 27.4 for the 225/70R15...
I have 15" BFG Radial TA on my truck and am very satisfied with them. 19,000 miles on them in 7 years so I think Wayne's point is well taken. Good luck, Steve
I'm running Cooper Cobra GTs on my 53. I'm one of the few who actually drive my truck daily and as for tread wear, I'm getting around 40K out of a set. Also I love the handling of these tires.
In my opinion, I wouldn't be concerned with the treadwear rating on tires for our trucks. Let's hope you actually drive 30 or 40 thousand miles in the next 5 years to wear them out before they rot from age. However, the likelyhood of that is probably pretty small. Our classic trucks, for the most part, for most of us, are not our number one daily driver. Sure, there's exceptions, but by and large they will never see those kind of miles put on them. Bottom line, John, get the tires you can afford, want and look good, and not worry about the details.
I agree completely, if you're going to keep driving it the same amount, which is to say very little, then I'd get the cheapest tires that you feel have the look you like. I put inexpensive Kumho tires on mine, I have actually had very good luck with them on other cars. These tires wear out from age before tread for most of us. Generally 4-5 years max before it's recommended that they be replaced, no matter the tread left on them.
