Looking for real-world recommendations for a set of 5. Anything will be an improvement over what I've got now, but I need 50K reliable miles and highway driveability (QUIETNESS) as a premium. Don't care how it does in snow, I live in Miami and have an open rear RWD. It has never seen snow, and isn't about to start. I know it'll run me $1500, I'm prepared for that, just need to know from people running them on the highway loaded (and unloaded) as far as noise levels. Thanks a million.

 

Like flying on a magic velvet carpet

 

Those Michelins above have a very solid reputation as a great tire, but I haven't ever run them on my trucks but I have driven on them and liked them. I am currently at about 43K miles on a set of Nitto Dura Grapplers (Highway Terrain) on my dedicated tow rig EX that sees 6Klbs on the rear axle while towing and they are wearing perfect with many more miles to go (will most likely age out before wearing out). In my opinion, from what I have driven over the years these Nittos are the quietest truck tire I have ever used, I am even more impressed with their lack of road noise due to the fact they are oversized at 305/70R18 (35X12.8).
https://www.nittotire.com/light-truc...ht-truck-tire/

Attachment 279687

 

Yep those LTX are awesome had a couple of sets on my Duramax.

 

+1 on the LTX. I've got them on my Ex and F150. Had them on the wife's Expedition that we traded.

I put about 70,000 miles on the first set I had on the Ex. Have about 5K on the "new" set.

 

One word of advice, and I had the Michelin's on my Excursion, do not put larger than stock size Michelin's on your Excursion.

I had 285-75-16s on mine and with the larger sidewall it rode horribly.

I will say that the stock size 265-75-16 Michelin's on my F350 do ride beautifully.


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I second these, running them in a 295 70 R18 is I recall correctly.

 

I've ridden my Excursions on 3 different tire models. Here they are in my order of preference. YMMV.

1 - General Grabber HT (on SD 20" Wheels)
2 - Michelin LTX (On stock 16" wheels)
3 - Continental Contitrac (On SD 18" Wheels)

 

I'll throw down for the Michelin tire in stock size. Nice tire and the price isn't terrible as tires go. I had a set go 100K on a Tahoe and the ones on my X are getting up there. I have noticed recently that the tread is starting to wear. Still over half for sure, but can tell it's starting to go.

 

Michelin LTX ftw...

 

I put Cooper RTX 16" AT tires on my 2000 2wd. Very quiet and ride great. Also made in the USA is that is important to you.

 

I have put Michelin LTX's on 3 Excursions I've owned and never been anything other than very pleased. Michelin headquarters came to my home town about 50 years ago. I've had friends who worked there and they all say the same thing-their quality control is off the charts. Tires they reject would be sold by a lot of tire companies. At their testing site they drive the rubber off these things. It's a very impressive operation. To be honest, other than 1 set I had to put on a JEEP because they didn't have Michelins in MT, every vehicle I have owned has had Michelins since the 1980's on as soon as it was tire time. If you want THE smoothest ride, go to a tire shop that can road force balance your tires. It's the icing on the cake. I had some of those Crappy Firestone tires which came on an X when it was new. I hated them but I had them road force balance and they rode pretty well until they fell apart at 25k miles. What can I say-crap is just crap

 

366k on my Mint Excursion! Bought new PSD 4x4 Runs better than new. (super well maintained is the secret)

My experience driving my X is all on road and almost no towing or hauling anything other than passengers. Mostly in Florida. No snow/mountains Most roads are straight Did drive the Blue Ridge Mountain PKY with my X a few times on vacation.

Came with Firestones. Were recalled by Ford with 36k on them. Choppy and would not say in balance. 265/75/16

Ford replaced them with Pirelli Scorpion 265/75/16 Bald by about the 30k Balance issues

Next bought Yokahama Geolanders Needed replacement in the 30k range Balance issues once again 265/75/16 1 blowout going about 20mph! Time for 4 new tires!

Next Nitto Duratrac About 44k on these Choppy and balance issues as the tires wore out. 1 got a sidewall bubble at 44k and all replaced 265/75/16

Next Michelin MTX LT285/75/16 Ran smooth for about 72k with NO BALANCE ISSUES (only balanced 1 or 2 times in 72k)

Next Michelin Defender MTX LT285/75/16 These were balanced every 10k or so. Ran to 84k (about on the wear bars) Maintained perfect balance the whole time.

Next Michelin Defender MTX LT 285/75/16 Currently at about 60k. Smooth, balanced and quiet. These Michelins run so true that there is no or little need for balancing as the tire wears down. This set has been balanced at about 10k intervals.

Stock X with Bilstein 5100 front and 4600 rear/Helawig rear Sway bar. This is a winning combo along with the Michelin Defenders and the upsized tires 285 vs 265 (your speedometer with read about 2 mph low the the slightly larger tire)

MARCSPSD

 

Michelin LTX 285/75/16 M/S are the tires I have been using.

 

I run 285 Michelins. They are the best tire Ive had on that truck ever