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aliner · 06-23-2017, 01:23 PM

Purchased BFgoodrich long trail TA tires for my Ram 1500 in 2013. Have 35000 miles on them and now they are starting to show signs of cracking on the tread edge. Per BFG and Discount tire, they say not to worry just cosmetic. I don't agree and plan to purchase a new set and would like some feedback on what tire seems to be the tire of choice. I have 20 inch rims. I liked the way these tires road and handled but will not be buying anymore BFG's.

Lynn

uncle_bob · 06-23-2017, 01:33 PM

Hi

How old are your BFG's? Not how long have you had them. How old are they according to the date codes on the tires? There are a bunch of web sites that will let you decode "DOT tire codes". In some cases the tires that you buy "new" in 2013 are a couple of years old at that point. It's not common, but it does happen.

What to buy? Michelin

Bob

Bob662 · 06-23-2017, 01:50 PM

Get Michelin Defenders. I did, with same rim size as you. They're great--quiet, smooth riding and long-wearing. Some may suggest LT tires but these are what the door sticker calls for and are more than adequate.

lsbrodsky · 06-23-2017, 01:58 PM

Not sure why anyone buys anything other than Michelins, unless they want to try to save dollars, which never works. I have been buying tires for cars, trucks, trailers for 45 years and Michelins have always been the best for performance and life. They are made is USA these days so why not?
Larry

aliner · 06-23-2017, 02:20 PM

Thanks everyone for your feedback.To answer uncle Bobs question, the DOT on my tires are 13/13 so they were new when I purchased them. The Michelin Defenders sound great! I think I will go that route. I must admit I was trying to save a little money and went with BFG thinking after all they are made by Michelin and should be good. Well, you get what you pay for.

Lynn

**Hans627** · 06-23-2017, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliner

Thanks everyone for your feedback.To answer uncle Bobs question, the DOT on my tires are 13/13 so they were new when I purchased them. The Michelin Defenders sound great! I think I will go that route. I must admit I was trying to save a little money and went with BFG thinking after all they are made by Michelin and should be good. Well, you get what you pay for.

Lynn

Just last week I put Michelin Defenders on my 2013 RAM 1500. I really like them!

Bill M. · 06-23-2017, 02:51 PM

I also bought some of the BFG TA tires for my pickup that I was going to sell. Then I decided to keep it. I did not like the tires at all after 15000 or so they had no wet traction at all. I changed them early just to get rid of them. Hard to beat the Michelins if you are going to drive the truck a while.

thiel · 06-23-2017, 03:13 PM

My BfGs were cracking pretty good at 28k miles. Replaced with Michelin All terrain tires from tire rack.

aliner · 06-23-2017, 04:46 PM

That's interesting, I've never a set of better tires do that. You can see the cracking in these photos. May not look that bad to some but for me it's time to replace them.

**Hans627** · 06-23-2017, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliner

That's interesting, I've never a set of better tires do that. You can see the cracking in these photos. May not look that bad to some but for me it's time to replace them.

Yes I can see why you are concerned. Somewhat surprised that BFG and Discount Tire didn't advise replacing them.

uncle_bob · 06-24-2017, 08:48 AM

Hi

Now that I can see the pictures ... yikes !!! I would not want those tires on my truck. BFG should give you something for them, they aren't right. The gotcha is that they will give you a "refund" you can only spend on more of their tires ...

Bob

hpjack · 06-24-2017, 11:15 AM

I had BFG tires which were four years old. The rubber came off and damage the truck fender and my AS trailer to a total of 11,000 dollars to fix. I changed to Michelin. I will never buy a BFG tire again. BFG is owned by Michelin and they replaced all my truck tires and I paid a little more and put on Michelin.

GammaDog · 06-24-2017, 11:30 AM

I'm a big Michelin fan and really like having the 16" LT Michelins on my trailer. That said, my Tundra came with 20" Bridgestones and when I shopped to replace the initial set I discovered that Michelin didn't make 20" LTs in my specific size (at least at that time). The passenger tires they did make were a softer rubber compound and Michelin touted their wet road performance. After considering many factors, I stayed with Bridgestone, specifically the HL Alenza Plus. I'm having good luck with them with and without the trailer attached and have learned that on the Tundra with the AS hitched I need to run them at 40 lbs, not 30 as the door sticker says to deliver even wear across the tread.

Milo1952 · 06-24-2017, 11:42 AM

Never seen that before. Gotta run out and look at my tires right away.
I agree with replacing them. Would be afraid of tread separation.

GatorDave · 06-24-2017, 12:04 PM

BF Goodrich tires[�� Left rear tire blew out with 34K miles. Totaled truck and trailer June 12. Not under inflated. Will never have them on any of my vehicles again. Sam's tire shop told me they were made by Michelin here in US

pappy19 · 06-24-2017, 12:38 PM

Michelin Defenders LT E rated are the best IMHO. I have them on my AS and TV both.

fwjumper · 06-24-2017, 04:56 PM

Ditto on the Defenders. We have them on an F250 (20") and on a Suburban (16"). We love them. Generally, I never buy anything but Michelin and have used LTX MS for years, but the Defender has newer, hopefully better technology to keep the tread better as they wear. They have a name for it which I can't recall right now. As they wear, new treads open up. Pretty cool stuff, if it works. As for your BFGs, what is happening on the outside could be happening on the inside too. Maybe not, but who wants to take that chance? Good luck to you.

ChuckFeldt · 06-24-2017, 06:02 PM

I see cracking like that normally in 3-4 years on all my trucks. Seems wastefull to change tires out that still have lots of good tread. But for company trucks and tow vehicles too much life and liability ride on those tires. I use Firestone LT tires on my company 1500's and Michelins on my 2500 tv.

rustyoldman · 06-24-2017, 06:53 PM

20"--- buy Michelin LTD 265/ 20....get e rated tires....they have the best load rating.....run them at 60lbs when not towing and 75lbs towing....they have a maximum inflation of 80 lbs

NorCal Matt · 06-24-2017, 07:09 PM

I'm adding my voice to the flood of Michelin advocates. Changed out the original Wranglers to LTX defenders a couple months ago. The E rated tires are. Huge improvement for towing and don't feel any rougher not towing.