Ok, it's finally time for me to replace the factory Goodyears out for a better tire. I was convinced that the obvious upgrade for me was the Michelin LTX-AT2. But I read somewhere that the glowing reviews of that tire do not reflect use under a heavy truck. I can get the Nitto Terra Grapplers for about $400 less, but do not want road noise or excess wear (although I think the Grappler is a cool looking tread.) Since I need 265-75-r20, my selection is very limited. What advice or experience do y'all have for these tires on the diesel?? (And thanks in advance!!)

 

I run the Michelin LT M/S series on my Excursion and my E350. The E350 has about 102k on it and it weighs about 8200# not including towing our 24' 9500# trailer. I've be very pleased with the durability, driveablity and quality of the Michelins. I've not run the A/T's, however.

 

I don't know how they'll wear yet, but I just got a set of Nitto Terra Grappler's from my 08 F250 King Ranch. The Goodyears were 275/65/20 and the Nittos are 35x12.5/20.

I think there's a very slight difference in noise, but not much. Maybe at about 45mph, but I'm not reay certain.

So there's my $0.02 for the noise side.

Good luck!

 

ive owned 5 sets of the nitto's on different trucks in all different sizes. i currently have them on my diesel in 325/65-18 and on my expedition in 305/50-20 they are extremely quite and smooth ride at all speeds. much better than any goodyear. only road noise is in about the last 1/4 tread life. i work at Discount Tire Co. and cant keep them in stock. MUCH MUCH better than the BFGoodrich all terrains!

 

I am currently running the LT285/75r16 Michelin ATX/LT2's and love em they are providing a great ride so far. The only thig bad I have heard about the nittos are they wear quickly on the diesels.

 

Well the diesel wear issue is the reason for my post. The Nittos cost about 75% of what the Michelins do. So I'm thinking that if they last about 75% as long as the Michelins, then it is an economic wash. I'm figuring about 40K miles from the Michelins and about 30K for the Nittos. Anything extra is a bonus. The Goodyears I'm replacing have 36K on them and they still ride nice, they just have very little wet traction. Discount tires reviews seem to give the edge to the Michelins

 

The Michelins have a 60k tread wear, I dont know about the Nittos. I have heard that the Nittos last an average of approx 30k on the psd's. My local discount tire manager had the Nittos on his psd and he only got 30k out of them then he switched to the BFG All Terrains. I will never buy another set of BFG's for my psd again. I have owned 6 sets of them in the past on other vehicles and never had a problem. The last set on my psd got warranty replaced twice (yes two sets) and never could get rid of vibration issues, BFG actually bought them back with 30K miles on them. Then I put the Michelins on and everything smoothed out. I cannot comment on the Nitto's ride since I have never owned any, but the Michelins provide a much much smoother ride over the BFG's. The Michelins are not cheap, but they were only about $30-$40 more ea more than the Michelins so I am giving them a try and so far I am very satisfied.

 

I am running the Nitto Durra Grappler 285 75 16 on my 02 7.3 crew cab 4X4. I have 7500 miles on them so far and love them. They have a 60K treadlife warrenty. The only complaint so far is the sidewall is very stiff, so you get some noise on expansion joints and it is hard to tell when they are low on air. I will but them again, very quiet and great traction in wet. Not sure how they will do in Snow. They do not have a very agressive tread so I do not think they will do very well in deep mud.

 

I ordered the Michelins today. Price qoutes including shipping, mount balance, tax, etc. ranged from $1,450 to $1,800. I ordered them from the $1450 guy who also happens to be the closest. I was afraid to order online since I would lose the local support should anything go wrong.

 

I've got about 1000 miles on my 295/70/17 Nitto TG's on my 05 F250 PSD. So far so good.....and just as quiet as the Bridgstone Revo's they replaced.

 

Nitto used to be the better cheaper option but they are now getting more expensive. I've ran them and they did a great job. But I also run michelins and the tire seems to dry rott faster than the tread wheres out.

 

There does seem to be some varied experience with the LTX A/T2's

Previous thread on this:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-ltx-a-t2.html

 

Yes, it was that thread that inspired my question. I will absolutely hate it if these $1400 Michelins don't outperform the Goodyears that came stock. I would also see me raising cane with Michelin. (one of the reasons I bought locally)