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Old 11-14-2016, 07:46 PM   #1
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Need tires for '16 Dodge Ram 2500

Hi all - My 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 tow vehicle will need new tires soon. Just turned over 25,000 miles on our last trip, and the Firestones are at maybe 5-6 mm. I'll probably need a new set by Feb/Mar.

What do you guys recommend these days for replacement tires? I see on tirerack the Michelin Defenders are highly rated, cost is about $1k for four. Thoughts on those?

I have the Cummins diesel and crew cab, with the shorter bed. We tow our 30' FC from Fl to Washington, Canada to California, at 65 mph in all weathers. Mostly we hit campgrounds, but do occasional softroading unhitched.

Thanks in advance!

Rich
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Old 11-14-2016, 08:31 PM   #2
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I have a '14 Ram 4x4 2500 w/Cummins. I replaced the stock Firestones at 37,000 miles with the Michelin's (just recently available in the size I needed). I've got about 7,000 miles on them and (like all Michelin's), work great. My truck is right at 44,000. There was plenty of wear left on the Firestones, but once I could move up to the Michelin's I did.
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Old 11-14-2016, 08:47 PM   #3
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BFG Radial AT's are my all weather tire of choice for a 4WD. In have been using then over 20 years. They are quiet, go great in the snow and rain, and wear like iron.
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Old 11-14-2016, 08:48 PM   #4
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Would recommend Michelin tires on TV and AS without exception. You pay a small premium over other tires, but they are a stronger tire and they last longer than other tires. The last thing you want is tire problems when you are towing your AS all over the country. Here is why I think they are the best choice.
Worked for Roadway Express for 23 years where each new tire was expected to be recapped 3 times before we trashed them for the sidewalls giving out. Michelin was the ONLY tire that we could recap 4 times with the strength of their sidewall. We bought from all OEM's in an effort to get the best prices due to the fact that each tractor/trailer had 18 of them!! We had the most problems with Goodyear tires, especially the G159. Belts slipping, tread separation, sidewall failures, etc. In fairness to Goodyear, they finally improved that tire but it still did not measure up to the Michelin. Second best tire we bought was Bridgestone. Tough tire with great tread wear life.

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Old 11-14-2016, 10:31 PM   #5
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I replaced the OEM Firestone Transforce ATs with Michelin Defenders at 10K miles on my 2016 RAM 2500.

The ATs were very close to the wear marks on the rears. OEM Firestones are notoriously bad and in my case wear may have been caused by gravel road driving.

I ran into a fire crew in Northern BC who still had the OEM Transforce ATs on their eight 2500s. They were surprised how quickly they had worn with off-road use.

I've run Michelin LTs exclusively on my trucks for the past 25 years. I had a 2005 Airstream Interstate Sprinter van with Michelin ATs with 80K miles/8 years that looked great wear wise but were changed out because of weather checking.
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Old 11-15-2016, 01:24 AM   #6
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I run B F Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires on my Ram 3500 SRW 4x4. Outstanding Winter traction (if that's important to you).
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Old 11-15-2016, 03:04 AM   #7
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Do you have the factory 20's or 18's? That makes a huge difference on tire choices.
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Old 11-15-2016, 04:10 AM   #8
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When my firestones got that worn as yours I found I had no traction in the wet. Whatever you replace them with I would do it much sooner than later. Please towing with those tires was incredibly dangerous, no room for error.
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Old 11-15-2016, 06:03 AM   #9
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^^^ I concur. It is false economy to skimp on tires for a $50,000+ truck.


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Old 11-15-2016, 06:17 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 21Airstream View Post
I run B F Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires on my Ram 3500 SRW 4x4. Outstanding Winter traction (if that's important to you).
And the only tire with 3 ply sidewalls which helps avoid cuts when off road on rocks. Very civil on highway and good mileage.
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Old 11-15-2016, 06:38 AM   #11
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I went with Goodyear Silent Armor tires. I ran them on previous trucks and they always looked great and ran quiet and smooth. For the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks they actually sell an HD version that has a harder rubber compound specifically designed to handle the torque of diesel trucks. The sidewalls have kevlar lining in them to prevent cuts and also run smoother.

They are quiet, smooth, but still have a very aggressive look.
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Old 11-15-2016, 06:49 AM   #12
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Important to not forget that changing from OE tires will almost certainly result in worse mpg as that is a MAJOR goal from car companies to tire companies.
Almost all performance characteristics of tires have a trade off.

Wet vs dry
wet vs snow
MPG vs wear
etc
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Old 11-15-2016, 07:10 AM   #13
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Last November (2015) I had a set of Firestone Transforce AT tires installed on the pickup. After one year I can see some noticeable wear on the rears. I will get these balanced and rotated in the next few weeks when time allows.
Other than wear, these tires have performed very well in every other category. The fleet of trucks at my work use these tires. If you have trouble on the road it is a very common tire and easy to find a matching replacement.
I am estimating that with the combination of yearly mileage (less than 10k)and when these tires will be considered getting "old" (5+ years) they will need to be replaced. They were also much cheaper priced than many other brands. I have no axe to grind against any brand of tire, this just works for me.
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Old 11-15-2016, 08:08 AM   #14
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I have run the Michelin load range E tires on my 2007 Dodge 2500 from day 1 and have seen no reason at all to switch. Good solid smooth ride at all speeds. About 50000 miles a set and I change them while they still have enough tread on them. I have had 3 punctures during that time and have had to replace one tire out of a set but do not think the tires were at fault.
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Old 11-15-2016, 08:47 AM   #15
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When you switch out tires on a Ram 2500 there are no issues with the TPMS system? The stock sensors remain?

Thanks

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Old 11-15-2016, 09:41 AM   #16
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When you switch out tires on a Ram 2500 there are no issues with the TPMS system? The stock sensors remain?

Thanks

Kelvin
Stock sensors remain. No problems as long as you run a proper "E" rated tire. Don't let anyone talk you into a "D" rated tire - they will squish all over the place.
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Old 11-15-2016, 11:44 AM   #17
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Thanks guys.

I have the Transforce 20" Firestones.

So I measured them with my tread depth tool, and I actually have about 8mm all around (one rotation at 16k). So I may opt to keep them for a bit longer, perhaps to 5-6mm (or earlier; I'm pretty conservative when it comes to tires.

In truth I was probably going the Michelin route, I was just interested in any better options. I've run Michelins on all my BMWs, including my M3. I put them on the Airstream this year, after hearing the GYM horror stories.

Thanks again for the comments. I appreciate it.

Rich
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Old 11-15-2016, 12:19 PM   #18
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First set of LTX Michelins on my one ton Dodge were replaced at 4/32s remaining at 120k. Second set had a total of 5/32s wear when complete set failed at 70k (defect). At that wear rate would have made it to 250k miles on two tire sets. Rotated each set at 50k. One brake reline also at 120k. On original clutch at 212k at present on this 2004 CTD.


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Old 11-15-2016, 12:38 PM   #19
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Buy the Michelins from Costco next Spring if you go to Canada. You will get a double savings if you time the $70 four tire discount with the Canadian dollar. This discount happens Spring and fall. Even though the taxes are higher you should save. I bought just before I came down to the US for the Winter and it was $1310 CAN total. You can knock a third off that price with the US dollar and the way it is going now it could be even more of a saving.
Your warranty is North America wide
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Old 11-15-2016, 01:22 PM   #20
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If you have the factory 20's then you are very limited on tires options but there is two excellent options the Goodyear duratrac and Michelin Ltx ms. The Michelin well provide a smoother ride and better fuel economy. But the Goodyear well have a little better winter traction. Either way it's up you.
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