F-250 Tow Vehicle Tires

[Doug C]

I 'm gathering info by visiting lots of tire shops, etc., but I'd also really like to hear what has worked well for some of you who tow a lot. I've had trucks all my life but they've all been 1/2 ton, and I've never towed anything more than 2500 pounds. I recently bought a 25' Excella and a 1997 F-250 7.3 diesel to go with it. Towing 6500 with a 3/4 ton diesel is a new game for me. The truck needs a new set of tires and I want to get something good for the job at hand. Besides towing on paved roads, I also use the truck on some dirt and gravel logging roads and over smooth riverbed rocks when I go steelhead fishing, and in light snow once in a while. I never take the truck off-road and don't thrash it. The tire I've been looking at is the Michelin LTX M/S2 in 265/75/16 Load Range E. I like it a lot, but my mechanic said that Michelin is overpriced and other companies make really good tires for a lot less money. I would prefer American made but am open to other reliable, friendly-to-the-US countries that pay their workers a living wage. I don't want Chinese tires. I'm looking for ideas and comparisons before spending another $1000 on tires. Any opinions would be appreciated. Your posts during my recent hunt for trailer tires were really helpful.

Thanks,
Doug C.

[war eagle]

I have E rated 245/75R16 Nitto Dura Grapplers on my 2003 F250 (2 wheel drive) - great street tire, excellent tread wear for the 30,000 miles covered so far - mine were made in Japan. You might consider their Terra Grappler which has the on/off road tread. I ordered through Discount Tire Direct and had a National Tire and Battery store do the installation.

Best wishes on your search!

Steve

[Bill M.]

"Michelin LTX M/S2 in 265/75/16 Load Range E"

Thats what I have on my Dodge and I also pull a 25' Excella. On my second set. 110,000 on the two sets combined so far. Got a screw in one on the first set so I changed a little before the tread was gone. Great tires on the road. Tow great, no squirm. I do not go off road or low traction much so I really do not know how they would do in that use. Have done a lot of gravel roads with them and they do fine. We went to Alaska, across Top of the World, into Eagle, etc. Dodge truck rides like a logging truck, but the tires did fine.

Do others make good tires? Sure. Does a couple of hundred dollars for Michelin advertising and profit and maybe quality control matter much in the long run? Not really. Actually I have Goodrich TA on my other truck (a Ford 150) and they have done well too.

When I was looking I pretty much wanted the Michelins. But I really did not see any E rated tires at a much cheaper price and some brands were a lot more. I got lucky and found a 4 for the price of 3 sale so I saved more there than I think I could have with other brands.

[xrvr]

Firestones with steel valve stems installed at a good truck shop. Jim

[nilesrob]

I run Michelin LT275/70/R18 tires and have liked them a lot. I have about 60,000 miles on them and expect I have between 5-10,000 more miles left on them.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

Firestones with steel valve stems installed at a good truck shop. Jim

Yes. I used Firestone Transforce HT on my old F250, and got another set for my Silverado. Smooth ride, wear very well, and decent traction in a few inches of snow.
Metal valve stems are a must.

[barts]

I've run BF Goodrich T/As and Michelin LTX A/T tires on my 1996 F250 4x4 crew cab. The Michelin tires are better in handling, wear, and noise.

- Bart

[crisen]

I strongly suggest you do some reading on Tire Rack for reviews of various truck tires. tBe sure you give the most weight to the reviews from similiar vehicles and driving you do. You didn't say it the F250 was 4x 4 or I missed it but that might make a difference. I have had good luck with Bridgestone Revo's and in snow they are one of the best short of a Bridgestone Blizzacks which are winter only. You see a lot of them around here on trucks where folks don't go with a winter tire. However I don't think they are the best for durability - grip vs miles. So when it came time to replace the BF Goodrichs on my dodge (which made 55000 miles and at least half of that towing up to 10000 lbs and or with camper) I went with Goodyear Wrangler Pro Grade. Many people on Tire Rack are reporting over 70k miles, and they report good snow traction, we will see.

[Phoenix]

One more vote for Michelin LTX M/S2, load range E. -- You get what you pay for. These have good traction, run smooth and quiet, and last a long time.

Consumer Survey Results on TireRack.com:

Consumer Survey Results By Category

[c_lewis77]

I have always had really good performance out of the Bridgestone Dueller A/T REVO II on both my F 250 and excursion.
They have enough grip for off road (i am in the mud at least twice a week) without being as noisy on the road.
I am on my 6th set. The performance and durability is very consistant.
I have never tried the michelins on my trucks but always put them on the wifes MDX..no complaints with michelin either

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

One more vote for Michelin LTX M/S2, load range E. -- You get what you pay for. These have good traction, run smooth and quiet, and last a long time.

Consumer Survey Results on TireRack.com:

Consumer Survey Results By Category

That's all I run anymore is Michelins LTX M/S2, they have been the best overall tire that I have run in the past 20 years. Tried others and they always disappoint me.

Pap

[AirEgger]

I say go with the M/S Load Range "E" Michelins. I have a 2002 F-250 diesel 4x4 and have had several sets over the years with good results. Until July when I got the AS, I pulled a 37 ft 5er over most of country and had no issues. Good mileage, stable, very satisfied.

AirEgger

[Rockwell]

Firestone Transforce HT. I've run these tires on my F250 and never encountered a problem. Smooth ride, great wear...average about 53,000 miles per set... now pushing 230,000 miles on TV...completely satisfied...
Rockwell