DEFINITELY get the Michelin Defender LTX:
The LTX are as quiet as car tires
The LTX Last the longest of any tire PERIOD
ALL aggressive tread tires are REALLY noisy, so noisy you can hear them on a truck next to you with your windows rolled up
Aggressive tires wander real bad after 15k miles
Aggressive tires because they wander will destroy your front end components and will make your front end loose. They are the WORST thing you could do to your truck
I've been using Michelin LTX on all my SUV's for the last 25 years, hands down there is NO BETTER tire for your truck! I'm a certified Alignment man, I know what I'm talking about.
Nittos are good to go. Better, in my opinion than Coopers. You will not get Michelin mileage out of Nittos but The Nittos have the more aggressive look, maybe better off road performance and less expensive.
The Terra Grappler or Recon Grappler will be similar to the Michelin AT2 (the Michelin All Terrain). Again, the Nittos are a little more aggressive, a little noisier, and will not last as long. However, I would expect to get the equivalent of the mileage warranty (65k miles for example) out of the Nittos.
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Thanks, that's interesting. So you just upgrade the same way on assignments as well I assume.
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Not sure what 'assignments' means, but we do the same with each new set of tires... lifetime balance and front end alignment if not already purchased. The last one I did was three months ago and total cost with mounting, lifetime balancing and alignment was $160. I typically revisit every 6 months, but sometimes sooner if I think there is a problem that needs addressed. Tires are expensive and well worth doing regular maintenance.
For new vehicles, I typically visit the dealer before the original 90 day warranty is up for alignment and balance and go from there. I just tell them it is pulling a little and a bit of a wobble at certain speeds... usually one that is 15 or 20 over the highway speed limit they will not test. And every time, there have been minor adjustments with alignment and balancing, so not like crying wolf.
When it is time to rotate is when I add the lifetime balancing and typically lifetime alignment. I am not positive with every Firestone, but my manager provides front end alignments for the life of the vehicle and not the tires. We seldom keep a vehicle past 100,000 miles and he knows this. About 70,000 miles and no real issues, I start looking at rebates and deals, but with time to wait. There is something psychological about having less than 100,000 miles to buyers.... clean vehicles just bring a premium.
And with Firestone, that same manager says the lifetime balance and alignment transfers to new owners. Just leave the paperwork in the glove compartment. I have no idea if that is fact, but I do pass it on. They can even use my name that is on the paperwork if they run into any problems, but most dealers will remove it.
ALL aggressive tread tires are REALLY noisy, so noisy you can hear them on a truck next to you with your windows rolled up
Aggressive tires wander real bad after 15k miles
Aggressive tires because they wander will destroy your front end components and will make your front end loose. They are the WORST thing you could do to your truck
I've been using Michelin LTX on all my SUV's for the last 25 years, hands down there is NO BETTER tire for your truck! I'm a certified Alignment man, I know what I'm talking about.
This has not been my experience with duratracs or falken at3's. While I like the Michelins just fine, enjoyed the falken's the most. Noise was reasonable in the truck and performance was phenomenal. Their longevity was closer to 50k miles but that's what you get with softer, more aggressive rubber.
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lol... Everyone is an expert with a few being rocket scientists.... and perhaps some are. I can't remember the number of vehicles we have owned, but I do know that some vehicles do not like some tires.
With alignments in specs, which typically means the front end is still tight, some tires will cup on Ford, but run perfect on a Ram. If the OEM tires last, that is typically what I replace with.
The wider the tire, especially on the front, the more it wants to follow contours/grooves in the road; especially at lower speeds. This is even true for those from the factory, but upgrading from an OEM narrower tire will be a lot different, that does put more strain on front end parts and may change the alignment.
Nevertheless, rebuilding the front end steering and alignment parts on a jeep or most trucks is kind of cheap and if the right tools, does not take very long... but still requires a good alignment. If neglected, one will know when the front end is loose on most any straight axle by the so called 'death wobble.' And then there are aggressive tires that are more noisy at highway speeds; some a lot more than others. But, if you live or need off road ability, that is what you need.
Jeeps were typically light without a lot of power, but some today are more like SUV's with some having a siht load of power... almost scary. Nevertheless, when adding lift kits, larger tires, etc., experts at alignments are few and far between to compensate for the castor and/or camber out of specs. Toe does not seem to be effected, but that expert would or should know.
Your response is actually much more accurate. It's not the "aggressive tread" that causes the problems. It's going with a larger size than oem and/or lifts. The components were designed for a certain size and when you add 20-30 pounds per tire, of course problems will arise.
I'm still looking for Mashimoto ZX tires. The fact that Hector is gonna be running three Honda Civics with Spoon engines. On top of that, he just came into Harry's and ordered three T66 turbos with NOS and a Motec system exhaust.
Your response is actually much more accurate. It's not the "aggressive tread" that causes the problems. It's going with a larger size than oem and/or lifts. The components were designed for a certain size and when you add 20-30 pounds per tire, of course problems will arise.
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I think so... the vehicle was designed down to even the shocks for a specific size tire. We have lifted a few jeeps and trucks, but with the exception of one, just to get some larger tires under it. Unless just a short body lift, much over 3 inches of lift and everything changes from driveability/handling down to the driveshaft universals that don't last as long. The problem we have always encountered is finding an alignment guy that knows what he is doing... that basically comes down to trial and error from prior experience.
Now, with a larger and aggressive tread that is worn to one side, that softer tire seems to, or does pull, but I am thinking it is because it effects the camber alignment that may have been off to begin with that is causing the wear. The alignment may be to factory specs, but not for the larger tires and we are back to the alignment guy. If one jumps to too large of a tire, then the factory shocks no longer have the travel they did that also leads to tire wear/cupping that leads to hopping.
I think what happens is that one guy encounters an issue, such as 'aggressive tread' pull and that becomes a generality for all. But, chances are and unless the front end was already tired, it was the alignment and shocks that started the problem. I am not knocking alignment guys, but one that can think out of the box from factory settings is a bit rare.
Thanks OP! ordered 4 tires - Nitto NT421Q 235/60R18XL for my Honda CRV. Hopefully they are better than the Bridgestone Ecopia's that came with the SUV new. The Ecopias are worn out at 40k
Consider yourself warned. This place is pretty bad at customer service. Expect your chain to be jerked around... extensively... and maybe you will get your tires some day...
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The LTX are as quiet as car tires
The LTX Last the longest of any tire PERIOD
ALL aggressive tread tires are REALLY noisy, so noisy you can hear them on a truck next to you with your windows rolled up
Aggressive tires wander real bad after 15k miles
Aggressive tires because they wander will destroy your front end components and will make your front end loose. They are the WORST thing you could do to your truck
I've been using Michelin LTX on all my SUV's for the last 25 years, hands down there is NO BETTER tire for your truck! I'm a certified Alignment man, I know what I'm talking about.
The Terra Grappler or Recon Grappler will be similar to the Michelin AT2 (the Michelin All Terrain). Again, the Nittos are a little more aggressive, a little noisier, and will not last as long. However, I would expect to get the equivalent of the mileage warranty (65k miles for example) out of the Nittos.
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Not sure what 'assignments' means, but we do the same with each new set of tires... lifetime balance and front end alignment if not already purchased. The last one I did was three months ago and total cost with mounting, lifetime balancing and alignment was $160. I typically revisit every 6 months, but sometimes sooner if I think there is a problem that needs addressed. Tires are expensive and well worth doing regular maintenance.
For new vehicles, I typically visit the dealer before the original 90 day warranty is up for alignment and balance and go from there. I just tell them it is pulling a little and a bit of a wobble at certain speeds... usually one that is 15 or 20 over the highway speed limit they will not test. And every time, there have been minor adjustments with alignment and balancing, so not like crying wolf.
When it is time to rotate is when I add the lifetime balancing and typically lifetime alignment. I am not positive with every Firestone, but my manager provides front end alignments for the life of the vehicle and not the tires. We seldom keep a vehicle past 100,000 miles and he knows this. About 70,000 miles and no real issues, I start looking at rebates and deals, but with time to wait. There is something psychological about having less than 100,000 miles to buyers.... clean vehicles just bring a premium.
And with Firestone, that same manager says the lifetime balance and alignment transfers to new owners. Just leave the paperwork in the glove compartment. I have no idea if that is fact, but I do pass it on. They can even use my name that is on the paperwork if they run into any problems, but most dealers will remove it.
I've been using Michelin LTX on all my SUV's for the last 25 years, hands down there is NO BETTER tire for your truck! I'm a certified Alignment man, I know what I'm talking about.
This has not been my experience with duratracs or falken at3's. While I like the Michelins just fine, enjoyed the falken's the most. Noise was reasonable in the truck and performance was phenomenal. Their longevity was closer to 50k miles but that's what you get with softer, more aggressive rubber.
There was also no wondering to speed of.
lol... Everyone is an expert with a few being rocket scientists.... and perhaps some are. I can't remember the number of vehicles we have owned, but I do know that some vehicles do not like some tires.
With alignments in specs, which typically means the front end is still tight, some tires will cup on Ford, but run perfect on a Ram. If the OEM tires last, that is typically what I replace with.
The wider the tire, especially on the front, the more it wants to follow contours/grooves in the road; especially at lower speeds. This is even true for those from the factory, but upgrading from an OEM narrower tire will be a lot different, that does put more strain on front end parts and may change the alignment.
Nevertheless, rebuilding the front end steering and alignment parts on a jeep or most trucks is kind of cheap and if the right tools, does not take very long... but still requires a good alignment. If neglected, one will know when the front end is loose on most any straight axle by the so called 'death wobble.' And then there are aggressive tires that are more noisy at highway speeds; some a lot more than others. But, if you live or need off road ability, that is what you need.
Jeeps were typically light without a lot of power, but some today are more like SUV's with some having a siht load of power... almost scary. Nevertheless, when adding lift kits, larger tires, etc., experts at alignments are few and far between to compensate for the castor and/or camber out of specs. Toe does not seem to be effected, but that expert would or should know.
Your response is actually much more accurate. It's not the "aggressive tread" that causes the problems. It's going with a larger size than oem and/or lifts. The components were designed for a certain size and when you add 20-30 pounds per tire, of course problems will arise.
I think so... the vehicle was designed down to even the shocks for a specific size tire. We have lifted a few jeeps and trucks, but with the exception of one, just to get some larger tires under it. Unless just a short body lift, much over 3 inches of lift and everything changes from driveability/handling down to the driveshaft universals that don't last as long. The problem we have always encountered is finding an alignment guy that knows what he is doing... that basically comes down to trial and error from prior experience.
Now, with a larger and aggressive tread that is worn to one side, that softer tire seems to, or does pull, but I am thinking it is because it effects the camber alignment that may have been off to begin with that is causing the wear. The alignment may be to factory specs, but not for the larger tires and we are back to the alignment guy. If one jumps to too large of a tire, then the factory shocks no longer have the travel they did that also leads to tire wear/cupping that leads to hopping.
I think what happens is that one guy encounters an issue, such as 'aggressive tread' pull and that becomes a generality for all. But, chances are and unless the front end was already tired, it was the alignment and shocks that started the problem. I am not knocking alignment guys, but one that can think out of the box from factory settings is a bit rare.
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