SUV tire recommendations?

[Tiller]

I am putting new tires on my 2004 Ford Explorer this month. I do a lot of interstate driving but I want a tire that can still handle bad weather if needed (rain, mud, snow, etc). I really just want to get some good A/T tires but I just cant justify it with all the interstate I drive.

The main tire I am considering right now is the BF Goodrich Long Trail T/A Tour. It's a 60,000 mile tire and seems to have the best mix of quality highway riding and ability off the highway. It also is not extremely expensive.

Just figured I would ask for your experience's with this tire or recommend another tire you have used.

Thanks

[BusaBret]

Michelin LTX

It's what came on our Explorer and we got 67k out of them. 2nd set got 63k.

Best ride, handling and wear of the light truck/suv tires IMO.

From my dunce stool :cookoo:

[GsxrBots]

Firestone Destinations..

Please tell me someone got that joke...





On a serious not, the Long Trails are an "ok" tire. Not the greatest in the wet. The Michelin LTX are fantastic, but pricey.

Try looking into Bridgestone Duelers. I've had great luck with those. Although does it snow by you?

[lil charlie]

Destinations...thats funny Bots. I had the Long Trail T/A on mine and they were fine. It's just an average tire for an average price. The Michelin LTX is twice the tire so if you can get them for less than twice what you would pay for the Long Trail and it's in your budget I would say to get them. If it's too much to swing the Long Trails are a decent tire.

[Tiller]

What's funny is Firestone Destinations are what is on the car right now and they suck

Yea i figured people would say the Michelin LTX would be the best but they are out of the budget. I will look into the Bridgestone Dueler's

[Flicka]

Jay, I completely agree with the Michelin LTX M/S. I've driven over a snow covered Cherohala Skyway with them on my 2500HD, and drove the Highlander (4x4) to work with them when everyone else was stuck at home last January. NEVER had an issue.

They are very quiet and offer great tread life. Pricey for sure, but well worth a few extra bucks.

Edit: Just saw your last post... I don't know anything about the Duelers though. Tirerack.com is good for reviews and shopping. However, I bought a set of Destination MT's from them once, and all four tires were out of round when they arrived. I got them replaced under warranty from the local Firestone store, but they were just crappy tires in general.

[Tiller]

Jay, I completely agree with the Michelin LTX M/S. I've driven over a snow covered Cherohala Skyway with them on my 2500HD, and drove the Highlander (4x4) to work with them when everyone else was stuck at home last January. NEVER had an issue.

They are very quiet and offer great tread life. Pricey for sure, but well worth a few extra bucks.

Edit: Just saw your last post... I don't know anything about the Duelers though. Tirerack.com is good for reviews and shopping. However, I bought a set of Destination MT's from them once, and all four tires were out of round when they arrived. I got them replaced under warranty from the local Firestone store, but they were just crappy tires in general.

I say the Michelin's are out of budget but I am just assuming. I have not priced them yet but I can bet they will be out of budget

I have been looking at tire rack for review but will be doing my purchasing at a local tire shop. Thanks for the info. I always thought that the Michelin's would not be good off-road since they are such a nice on road tire but maybe I should rethink that hypothethis

[BusaBret]

Tiller,
The last set we bought was a touch over $800 installed.

From my dunce stool :cookoo:

[GsxrBots]

Tiller,
The last set we bought was a touch over $800 installed.

That's not bad at all.. We pay $300 for 2 bike tires that only last 3K miles.

[Josh]

I put Mastercraft Courser HTRs on my Mitsubishi Endeavor. They're fairly cheap 60k tires and give me pretty good tread life. They're part of the Cooper family.

My SUV is strictly utility. I don't touch up the paint, don't fix the dings. It's strictly point A to point B transportation with the ability to tow and haul a lot of groceries. I like saving money there so I can feed my bikes tires.

[Tiller]

Tiller,
The last set we bought was a touch over $800 installed.

From my dunce stool :cookoo:

Then I will definately price a set because that would be in budget

[Tiller]

That's not bad at all.. We pay $300 for 2 bike tires that only last 3K miles.

Tell me about. And when you throw track days in the mix its less than 1000 miles

[Flicka]

Tiller,
The last set we bought was a touch over $800 installed.

From my dunce stool :cookoo:

Then I will definately price a set because that would be in budget

That sounds about right. I don't remember exactly what we paid for the Highlander tires, but it was somewhere in that area. I know the ones on the truck were right around $1000 installed, but those were bigger and 'E' load range.

[Lycan]

Silent Armors..dunno who makes them GREAT tires, had them on my Suburban gettign them on my Tahoe soon again..forget who makes 'em goodyear? maybe?

[skydivr]

Jay, I have Duelers on my Pickup. They are loud but had highest wear rating for the cost, much better than the goodrichs. My wife had Destinations on her Tahoe, also wore well - the tread is less agressive and they are more a street than truck tire - also made them quieter. Michelins are great tires, but expensive. Kinda like why we buy the Q2's - great tire and so much cheaper than michelins.

Given the way I think your SUV is being used, I'd say Destinations would be your best choice if you don't want to spend the $$ on the Michelins. Do go look at tirerack sometimes they will have some decent specials....

[Tiller]

Silent Armors..dunno who makes them GREAT tires, had them on my Suburban gettign them on my Tahoe soon again..forget who makes 'em goodyear? maybe?

How are they on the highway? quiet or loud? smooth or rough? Some more info on these would be great

[Tiller]

I just got quoted $899.95 installed from a local shop here for the BFG's. :omg:

I could get them shipped to me from tire rack for less than 700 and i KNOW they aren't 200 bucks for install

I can't imagine what they would ask for the michelin's

And Keith, the Destinations are what I have on the it now and I just don't like them. It's probably because they are near the end of their life but they are terrible in wet weather aren't very smooth

[GsxrBots]

Is there a discount tire down there by you? If not, try Home - Discount Tire Direct

[Fastfrog007]

Firestone Destinations..

Please tell me someone got that joke...

On a serious not, the Long Trails are an "ok" tire. Not the greatest in the wet. The Michelin LTX are fantastic, but pricey.

Try looking into Bridgestone Duelers. I've had great luck with those. Although does it snow by you?

Yup, I was gonna say the same thing.

Smellphone via Forum Runner

[Tiller]

What about Firestone Destination A/T's? Anybody ever run them?

I know some of you laughed at the Destination LE's but the A/T's have the best reviews of any tire I have looked at short of the Michelin and they will be out of budget.