Tires for tow vehicle - Montana Owners Club

Montana_4423 · 12-29-2005, 12:56 PM

I'm towing a 3295rk with a 2005 Chevy 2500HD 4WD Duramax. The standard Bridgestones (245/70R16) are almost done at 22,000 miles. The service guy reccommended Michelins and maybe step up to 265. Does anyone have an idea to the best style/size as there are about 22 different styles of Michelins in these sizes? Also, what type of service/maintenance should the Montana have at about 15,000 miles? The manual mentions lubing the wheels but I was warned not to do myself as the grease could get on the brakes and be problematic. Thank you for your assistance.

Montana Sky · 12-29-2005, 02:13 PM

wlparry,
You are going to get many different opinions when it comes to tires and what size/brand is best. I ran my factory tires 36,000 miles and have replaced them with Toyo Open Country A/T. I am running the same size tires as the factory put on, had not found a reason to go to a larger tire. I have been happy with my Toyo tires, as many folks here have spoken highly of their Michelins. I would say find a tire/brand that you feel comfortable with that will meet the load requirements and enjoy the ride from there.

ols1932 · 12-29-2005, 04:07 PM

I'm one of the happy Michelin owners. Have tried several others but since switching to Michelins I'll stay with them. Yes, everyone has an opinion that fits them. Find the tire you want and keep trying until you find one you're satisfied with.

Bill Frisbee · 12-30-2005, 01:44 PM

I am running BFG Rugged Trail T/A LT265/70R17E on our Ram 3500 4X4. These tires came as original equipment. Have about 10,000 miles on them and they look like new. Great highway ride and they do the job when you need 4WD in soft terrain. So far, I am very pleased.

Bill

Illini Trekker · 12-30-2005, 03:16 PM

I have Michelin's, the dealer and I worked out the deal with the truck sale.

This is what I put on the truck http://www.michelinman.com/catalog/t...etype=6&tire=0

I stayed with OME sizes because of warranty purposes and the speedometer would be off. Like them so far with 18,000 miles.

A member of MOC has been nice nice enough to supply all the links you need to answer most maintenance questions, here is his link: http://www.geocities.com/montanaowne...atedLinks.html

Dexter says use lithium complex grease, I like to rise the tire and wheel off the ground and slowly feed grease in my E-Z Lube bearing while I rotate the wheel. Have not had a problem with this method.

Bob Pasternak · 12-30-2005, 05:16 PM

We ran a '01 Dodge 2500 over 50,000 miles with the Michelin LTX A/S tires without any problems. I figured we'd better get tires before we went to Siskiyou last year so we went to the Dodge dealer to see what kind of deal they'd give us. When we left they'd sold me a set of Michelins for $40,000 and gave me a truck to put them on.

Bill and Ann · 12-31-2005, 02:04 AM

wlparry: Well I guess I am going to be one that doesn't like the way the Michelin LTX MS is performing. I upgraded from the 245's to 265's last year. I have approx. 15,000 miles on them and I expect I will be putting new ones on within the next 10,000 miles if not sooner. The tires have too soft rubber and are just wearing like mad. I rotate every 5000 miles because the rear wears really fast. The fellow at Discount Tire has suggested I put on Perrelli Scorpion Tires on next time as they aren't as soft. Not sure if I spelled that right.

ols1932 · 12-31-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Bill and Ann

wlparry: Well I guess I am going to be one that doesn't like the way the Michelin LTX MS is performing. I upgraded from the 245's to 265's last year. I have approx. 15,000 miles on them and I expect I will be putting new ones on within the next 10,000 miles if not sooner. The tires have too soft rubber and are just wearing like mad. I rotate every 5000 miles because the rear wears really fast. The fellow at Discount Tire has suggested I put on Perrelli Scorpion Tires on next time as they aren't as soft. Not sure if I spelled that right.

I notice you have the M/S tires. I've got a pair of M/S on the front and a pair of A/S on the back. Discount Tire dealer in Goshen, IN sold me the M/S tires as being the better tire. I guess each dealer tries to sell you what he has. I'm getting terrific wear out of both types.

As for being softer rubber, I'm not sure that is entirely correct. If you are talking soft, don't use Goodyear. I used them for years because of their handling ability, but didn't get more than 28,000 out of any of them. And that's with continual alignment checks and normal maintenance (proper inflation).

Montana Sky · 12-31-2005, 11:40 AM

I am just curious, what is the mileage warranty on the Michelin tires? My Toyo have a 50,000 mile replacement warranty which seems to me Toyo is standing behind their product. The guys at the tire shop know I tow a 40' fifth wheel and a boat and said as long as I rotate the tires and take proper care of them, they will have no problems replacing them if I do not get close to 50,000 miles on them. They already have 8,000 miles on them and just got them back in October, they seem to be wearing really well.

Montana_4221 · 01-03-2006, 09:09 AM

I replaced this past spring with BFG TA truck tires and have been happy with them. As far as Michelins go they are a great tire and as long as you go with a good grade recomended for your truck and application you should be fine.

Montana_4423 · 01-03-2006, 07:16 PM

Thank you all for your replies. It looks like there is no real consensus and I guess I'll go with one of the Michelin tires. We do a considerable amount of 4 wheeling although not as rugged as with the old Tundra. Are the mud/snow better than all season for this activity and still give a good ride on the highway towing?

Illini Trekker · 01-04-2006, 02:43 AM

My Michelin M/S have been excellent so far for me. I have not been off road with the truck, but they did a nice job in the snow we've had in Central Illinois. I have also pulled the trailer off grassy wet camp sites and didn't spin a tire. Looks like you put alot of miles on your truck, I think I would jump up one size on the tires, you will be out of warranty with this set of tires. I get good comments from friends that have road in my truck about the ride, I do drop the tire pressure to around 65 in the rear and leave the front alone. Let us know how it works out for you? See-ya

sreigle · 01-06-2006, 06:18 PM

I have the same BF Goodrich tires (rugged trail t/a - LT 265/70R17E) on our truck as Bill Frisbee. I am ecstatic with these tires so far. They have a flat wear pattern at 44,000 miles and look to have another 10k or better left on them. I am about to buy new tires for the Montana and am going to see if BFG has a tire that will work. And the replacements for the truck when needed will likely be BFG. I have had Michelins and like them but these BFG tires have truly impressed me. Good grip, too, both dry and wet.

Montana Sky · 01-08-2006, 07:01 PM

Steve,
44,000 miles on your 05. I just rolled 45,000 on my 04, I think I need to get driving! Glad to hear your new truck is treating you so well.

Charlie · 01-09-2006, 02:43 AM

My TV OEM tires are LT265/75R-16E and the Firestone's that came on it lasted only 30000 miles. They were replaced with Michelin LTX MS and presently they have 56000 miles on them and have a few miles left although starting to get a little thin. Needless to say I am more than pleased with the excellent performance with the Michelin's.

richfaa · 01-09-2006, 03:41 AM

With OEM TV tires we have noted that it is not the thread wear that affects towing but the sidewall. A weakened sidewall will cause,to me anyhow, that sort of unstable feeling. We get the highest sidewall ply rating we can find in a TV tire. We usually replace the OEM Tv tires long before the thread becomes a problem with tires with a high sidewall ply rating. Works for us...

Montana_4423 · 01-11-2006, 07:58 AM

Well, I went with the LTX245/75 MS Michelin tires and chose the 245 over the 265 for the 10 ply versus the 8 ply. Also thinking about some firestone air bag shocks to pull the 3295 after reading the thread about beefing up the rear for the heavier pin weight. My truck drops about 4 inches when hooked up and the air bags might provide a better ride. Greatly appreciate everyone's feedback and hope we all have smooth rides with no problems.
Getting ready to leave San Diego area for Florida, first stop - Picacho State Recreation Area by the Colorado River just this side of the Arizona border. Will take our time and smell the roses (and cactus) along the way.
Thanks all,
Bill

Montana Sky · 01-11-2006, 10:49 AM

Bill,
Have a safe and wonderful journey arcross the lower 48.

sreigle · 01-11-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Montana Sky

Steve,
44,000 miles on your 05. I just rolled 45,000 on my 04, I think I need to get driving! Glad to hear your new truck is treating you so well.

Dave, for not being on the road a lot you've racked up quite a few miles! Ours is right at 14 1/2 months old now. Believe it or not, this is fewer miles per month (by about 300 miles) than we were doing a couple of years ago. Too bad the odometers don't still go to 99,999 then start over. I'd have a "new" truck about every 3 years and at 5 years could trade it with about 65k miles on the clock!

capn chris · 01-15-2006, 03:48 AM

I've got BFG Rugged Trail T/A LT265/75R16s on my '04 F250 PSD. Have 56K mi so far (17k towing). Ride real good and quiet. Will replace w/same in the spring before trips.

Whatever tires you get, make sure they're Load Range E for fiver towing.

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