Truck Tires! Input please

[Obsidian_Fire]

I have a 2015 crew cab 4x4 8’ bed Ram Diesel. So the thing is heavy. I am having the world’s worst luck with decent tires for this thing. The factory tires lasted ~20k, to be expected. The next tires I put on were Goodyear. Those were a joke. They didn’t last much longer than the factory ones. The second set I put on were Nokian Tyres. Now I have to say, I have really liked these. Except… once they got past a certain amount of wear, they have gone downhill very fast. I might have 30k on them, and wow… it is a MUST that they be replaced, soon.
Here’s the thing - it’s the front tires that wear out. Makes sense in a way, the diesel engine is heavy. But the tires are inflated properly, the truck is not out of alignment… am I missing something?? This is more than just a ‘rotate your tires more often’ problem.
The truck only has 68k miles, so this is all the tires I’ve gone thru. I’m doing my homework, again, to figure out what to spend money on.
The truck is used for normal truck things - towing, hauling (hay and landscape materials, so sometimes quite heavy, but not that often), and going hunting.
I am considering the Toyo Open Country AT III but am choking at the price, especially if I’m barely going to eke 30k out of them.

What say you all?? Thoughts??

[LCDR]

First of all, how many miles are you wishing to get from a tire? Every major brand of truck tires has an assortment of truck tires which vary in things like load and speed ratings and tread life and tread compound and tread pattern. You cannot just villify all of Goodyear or any other manufacturer because one tire in their product lines didn’t meet your expectations. Which specific tires in each manufacturer’s line are you using?

Do you rotate tires as recommended (pattern and frequency) by your truck’s manufacturer? Front tires obviously will undergo more wear than rear tires due to their role in steering. If you are not rotating then the rears will outlive the fronts.

Another factor is the roads you drive on. Here in SC our roads have the most significant crowning in any state I’ve lived in. That wears down fronts even more since they are always slightly turned uphill towards the road crown to keep you in your lane.

[tulachard]

I’ve got a 2017 Ram 2500 diesel and I’ve been really happy with these - you can only get them at Discount Tire though. They’ve been wearing evenly on my truck.

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/cooper-discoverer-road-+-trail-at

[endlessclimb]

Is everything stock on the truck? Did you upgrade wheels or lift the front end?

Jessica

[endlessclimb]

Also, what inflation are you using? There’s two settings.

[CanteringCarrot]

I’ve gotten good longevity out of the Michelin Defender LTX.

Can’t comment on the wear, especially if you’re rotating properly. These trucks can be hard on tires.

[clanter]

we have always just used the Michelin LTX series, very long life with Excellent wet grip and snow traction

[Jarpur]

Same.

[Greys]

My 2014 Ram diesel crew can short bed was delivered with Firestones, and they’ve lasted 45-50k, and are good enough.

Not cheap tires, but I’ve put Michelin Defenders on a SUV, and will switch the Ram over when it’s time. Im really pleased with how they perform.

greys

[Obsidian_Fire]

No, all stock.

[Obsidian_Fire]

Whatever it says in the door, rear is 80 psi I believe and fronts are 65? Something like that. I have to wonder tho… maybe the front should have more inflation?

[Obsidian_Fire]

Yes, they are hard on tires! My brother has a similar truck and he’s told me he only gets maybe 35k out of his tires also, different brands than what I’ve used.

[clanter]

@tulachard

Discount Tire

they also have not normally advertised 5% Military discount for active duty, veterans that is an instant discount applied to invoice subtotal before applicable taxes

This discount can be combined with most deals, rebates and other instant savings.

[OzarksRider]

What ply tires are you buying? We put 10 ply on our truck and the tires are much sturdier.

[LCDR]

Speaking of Discount Tire - when you are selecting your tires on their web site you will be able to ask them to pice match another listed or advertised competitors price.

The on line request goes to a central place, where someone checks the link you provide, and if they approve your invoice/order will be at the lower price rather than what Discount Tire normally has as list price. You don’t even have to deal with the local store for that discount.

Example, a month ago I put new tires on my UTV. The Discount Tire price was $149.99 each. I linked my match request to Amazon, which had a $99.99 price. My request was approved, and they price matched Amazon . I saved a tidy $200, plus the Discount Tire military vet discount, and I didn’t have to take Amazon-sold tires and search for a local shop to have them installed.

[endlessclimb]

If you are not hauling, they should be lower.

Mine are 60 up front and 70 behind when towing, and 50 up front and 60 behind when not. I’ve run them as low as 45 psi to soften the ride though.

How are they wearing out? Cupping? Uneven wear?

[LCDR]

Does the reduced pressure cause your truck’s tire pressure warning light to come on?

[endlessclimb]

It has a setting on the console to set it to the “non towing” pressure. When I ran them down at 45 I put a piece of electrical tape over the light