Buying Tires, What Are Your Suggestions?

I found out that Goodyear now owns Dunlop. I needed new drivers and checked into them. I now have them all the way around. The only difference between the top of the line Goodyear & Dunlop is the name on the sidewall and $100.00 to $130.00 per tire. They are made in the same Plant.

 

Goodyear also owns Kelly and Steelmark
Bridgestone/Firestone owns Dayton
Michelin owns BF Goodrich
General and Continental are connected

 

doesn't mean they are the same tire. there is construction differences.

 

Very true-

I've tried Goodyear, Cooper, Yokohomas, and haven't really had any problems with any on the steer; however my last three trucks have been W900s with the 8 bag suspension, (1 had the AG 100, the other 2 had the AG 400) and erratic tire wear was a problem with all three- heel and toe wear to be specific. Three axle alignments done on 2 of the 3 trucks, no help. Switching to BFGs has kept this problem to a minimum and am very pleased with the treadwear. 444s on the drive, last set cost me $358/per tire (total invoice price divided by 8. Haven't bought steers in a while, my last two trucks both came with almost new Michelins. I need to replace them now, and it will be with the BFGs (231s I think is the #).

 

I have XDN2 Michelins on my drives, they are a very hard compound tire and hold up very well to the "loose" KW suspensions.

I bought some steelmarks for my trailer, set of 4 and put em on my last axle, i pull a spread, they lasted great for 120k miles, then all of a sudden in one trip it wore the passanger outside tire shoulder nearly to the chords. They are made in china and i always see the chinesse tires break belts. I have some Goodyear 395 steer tires on my front trailer axle and they are wearing beautifully with over 300k miles!!!!! on a spread axle trailer!!!!!!!! Yes i dont abuse it on turns and dont ride around with the bags defleated as much as i can, i check tire pressure on a weekly basis and put new shocks on yearly.

 

We use BF Goodrich, General, Continental,and we have the Michelin X-One. We have the X-One's on our dollies and man they are wearing fast especailly on the corners. But the other 3 brands are not that bad we have the same demensions and the Continental are our steers. The Generals and BF's are our drive and trailer tires.

 

Where in Ark? Heard of this before.

 

I have ran various makes over the years. I am plated for 117k lbs, so can tell pretty quick if tires are up to the job or not.
For drives, Bridgestone wear good and are reasonable IMO. Goodyears wear stupid and dont last a year even. Michelins are also a good drive.
For steers, Bridgestones wear on the shoulder of the tread. Outside on the passenger side, inside on the driver side. Our company trucks also do the same and they are W9's for the most part. They couldn't get over 80k miles on a set of steers, and Bridgestone actually gave them a set of 287's, same result. The rep finally admitted that Bridgestone does not have a steer tire as good as Michelin XZA3's.
The best steer right now is the Michelin XZA3+ IMHO. Wear evenly and last longer than anything else. Cost is higher, but so is the mileage they will do.
I just pulled a set of R280's in favor of the XZA3+'s. They are a 16 ply tire vs 14 and last a lot longer.
Just my experiences over the years.

Martin

 

Goodyears on the front and any decent caps i can find for the rears. Scrap hauling is a bi*** on tires. Not worth purchasing new.