I am looking at new tires for my F250 powerstroke. I posted a while back asking about tires. I have found two that I like. They are the Super Swamper Radial SSR 37x12.5/16.5 10 Ply and the Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Bias Ply 37x13.5/16.5. I was wondering which one would be the best tire for mainly highway driving. I think the SSR would last longest, but the Claw would ride quieter and be easier to balance. My truck is geared for 39.5's right now. Would a 37 be too small to work with these gears or do i need to stay with at least a 38.
Thanks
Gene Cole III

 

those mickey's are pretty hard rubber. i believe the MT's would last longer

-cutts-

 

one of the local shops had a set, and he said he got about 10-12k out of them.. not good, at least imho

 

Personally I like the Mickey's but they are not by any means a quiet ride. If you're doing a lot of highway driving get the SSR's. Your ear drums will thank you. Mickey's aren't as loud as a Turdbird but they do hum big time on pavement. I think the SSR will outlast the MT's based on what I've seen for wear. One of the Cheby guys who is always at the ORV park has them and they seem to be burning up pretty quick. They do look hella cool though.

Do you know what gears you currently have in the axles now?

 

I run the SSR's they are okay, but certainly not a great highway tire... what swamper is? They won't wear great.. natural for a swamper. Mine have worn pretty good considering.. but I also have one who's belts are seperating... Im not very happy about that. Overall a good tire... but I won't buy them again. Have you looked more into the parnelli jones dirt grips, or perhaps even the new toyo mud terrains? They arn't quite so aggressive...

 

The radial baja claw will last longer then the bias ply but i can't remember if they come in that size. And although there will be a difference at highway speed and rpm, it shouldn't be all that big of a differnece. It would be similar to a stock truck with 4.10's and a stock truck with 3.50s. Another good tire that you might want to check a set of goodyear MTR's

 

I am not sure what the gears are now. I abought the truck used and the dealer told me that the guy who traded it in has re-geared it for the tires.

 

I use to run a set of Baja Claw radials on my SD and they were a good tire, but wear was terrible. I think I got about 20,000 miles out of them and they were chopped up with regular rotation. Being a directional tire you could only rotate front to back so it limits you in trying to even out your tread wear.

If you are going to run mainly highway have you considered an AT tire like the Trxus? I hear they wear well. Personally I am not crazy about the looks, but they might suit your needs. I am sure that there are a ton of other tires too. May Nitto, Toyo, BFG, etc.

 

geex i thought the claws were supposed to last longer on the road than that! i might be thinkning of the baja belted tires maybe, i dunno. thanx for the heads up

i am seriously condering goodyears new blank tires that you cut and groove to your liking! that would be sweet to have a custom tire made in your garage

-cutts-

 

cutts - you probably were thinking of the Baja Belted as I hear those wear well. Those might be a good option for snipercole. I have been considering trying the MTX tires as my DD tires on the SD, but hear mixed review on them. Got my snows on early since I took the bland and wavy Claws off. Guess I will wait until next year to make up my mind.