Help-Suggestions for Tires for Suburban?

[centralflori]

Anyone have any ideas about what would be the best tires for a 4-wheel drive 95 Suburban? In the past and now we have used Michelin LTX M/S tires. These are made for road and some off road use as best I understand. These tires were around $180 a piece last time for 265/75R16 and we have gotten around 60K miles out of them, not bad for endurance. We sometimes pull a 18' bowrider, but not often. What we want to achieve from the next set of tires is a better, smoother, quieter ride. I know that there are trade offs as far as ride versus off road or towing capability. Just want to know if someone can make suggestions as far as size and type or brand of tire to get a less stiff ride. Would a 265 or 255 size be better? Maybe a 70 or 65 series tire? Any thoughts?:scratch2:

[Andyman]

Well, I sprung for a set of those Michelin LTXs for my 4x4 Explorer and like them alot.

Getting a smoother ride from a 70 or 65 series tire won't happen as the lower profile/aspect ratio means a shorter, hence stiffer, sidewall for better handling at the expense of comfort. It flexes less for tauter, but stiffer, handling.

Maybe a regular car tire would be better, but that is a HUGE car size and you may not find any tires, or anyone willing to install a car tire on a truck.
Folks are getting pickier these days about what goes on what.

[centralflori]

Thanks for the response Andyman. The Suburban rides fine with the LTX's with the exception of going over bumps or rough road. I guess I was thinking more of highway tire.:scratch2:

[mpd8488]

What exactly is the extent of your off road needs?

I hate the Michelin LTX (I have a Jeep XJ), but that's just my opinion. Terrible on road traction, laughable off road traction. I will say they do ride nice and are quite.

I like the Dunlop Rover series. They are inexpensive, ride nice, have acceptable off road traction (in non AT and MT versions), decent on road traction, and ride reasonably smoothly. They are a bit louder than others though.

[MitsuMan]

http://www.coopertire.com/html/tireselector_bySize.aspx?twtd=265&artw=75&rd=16

I recently re-shoed my 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 255/65-17 Cooper Discoverer ATR. I really like this tire a lot. :yes: Rides better than the old Goodyear SR-A's that I had, great wet/dry traction, quiet for an AT tire, and they did really well in the snow we had this winter. I got all four mounted, balanced, and a front end alignment, with tax out the door for $700 :smoke:

http://www.coopertire.com/FI_Uploads/products/tires/enlarge/discvr_ATR_Tread.jpg

[botrytis]

Problem with Cooper Tire is that they were some of the tires that were made in China and recalled 0 they farm out many of their tires to other manufacturers.

[mpd8488]

tirerack.com has a review section where you can read consumer reviews of tires listed by vehicle.

[Sandy G]

Is it a half ton (1500) or 3/4(2500) ton Urbanizer ? The 3/4 tons usually have heavy-duty 8, 10, or heavier tires that don't ride quite so smooth...You can go down a notch or 2 in plies, but you will lose some hauling/towing capacity, too.

[240sx4u]

I really like the reviews on tire rack, they seem to be very accurate.

Evan

[gearhound]

I started using Cooper Tires about 15 years ago....recommended by a snow-belt born co-worker.
I have them on 3 cars and an SUV now.

Steve

[MitsuMan]

Problem with Cooper Tire is that they were some of the tires that were made in China and recalled 0 they farm out many of their tires to other manufacturers.

It's very easy to read the DOT code on all tires and tell exactly what plant they were made in. :thmbsp:

[KingBubba]

I think you'd look good drivin' around your hometown with some big ole' mudders on there. You'd definitely fit in with the rest of the red necks.

[centralflori]

What exactly is the extent of your off road needs?

I hate the Michelin LTX (I have a Jeep XJ), but that's just my opinion. Terrible on road traction, laughable off road traction. I will say they do ride nice and are quite.

I like the Dunlop Rover series. They are inexpensive, ride nice, have acceptable off road traction (in non AT and MT versions), decent on road traction, and ride reasonably smoothly. They are a bit louder than others though.

I don't do that much off road. The only time I ever got stuck going off road was when I was going across a small drainage ditch at a slight angle so as to keep all four wheels on the ground. As we were crossing my wife caught sight of a broken beer bottle out of the corner of her eye and let me know about it. So I jerked the wheel to quick and ended up with only the front left and the back right on the ground, with the other wheels acting as windmills.:tongue:Other than this I have only had to put it in 4-wheel drive a couple of times when we encountered some sugar sound.

tirerack.com has a review section where you can read consumer reviews of tires listed by vehicle.

I really like the reviews on tire rack, they seem to be very accurate.

Evan

I have actually looked at a lot of the reviews on tirerack.com and I thank you for that suggestion. That is definitely a great suggestion.

I think you'd look good drivin' around your hometown with some big ole' mudders on there. You'd definitely fit in with the rest of the red necks.

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

Who me?:rolleyes:

Is it a half ton (1500) or 3/4(2500) ton Urbanizer ? The 3/4 tons usually have heavy-duty 8, 10, or heavier tires that don't ride quite so smooth...You can go down a notch or 2 in plies, but you will lose some hauling/towing capacity, too.

Sandy it is a 1500, definitely the 1/2 ton. We test drove a 3/4 ton(2500) before we bought the one we have. It reminded me to much of the large beverage delivery vehicles I drove many years ago. Great for the purpose, but rides about as stiff as a stage coach.:D

[centralflori]

Actually if we can get something that would make the ride less stiff that would be great. Don't know if tires alone will do this. We have had a 2-wheel drive Suburban that had a ride as smooth as a town car. Would a different tire that was rated for highway driving only help?:scratch2:

[RayW]

I had Cooper Discoverers on my 'burban ('96) and they did a good job. Used it to pull a ~7000lb hay trailer a few times, horse trailer lots of times. They rode well on pavement. I was thinking about them for the Sequoia which will need tires soon.

Ray

[Goodwill_HiFi]

It's very easy to read the DOT code on all tires and tell exactly what plant they were made in. :thmbsp:

I've noticed "made in" statements on many tires. Where can I find a detailed explanation of the code you speak of..... and where is this code?

I also have Copper Discoverer ATR's and like them. Mine are 235/85R16's, load range E.

[MOPAR3]

Actually if we can get something that would make the ride less stiff that would be great. Don't know if tires alone will do this. We have had a 2-wheel drive Suburban that had a ride as smooth as a town car. Would a different tire that was rated for highway driving only help?:scratch2:

Tires alone will not make it ride like a car. I don't think you'll ever get it to ride as smooth as the 2wheeler or a car. Its just the nature of the beast. Michelin tires are some of the best you can buy and come in a couple different tread patterns. If the cost is not a major factor I'd stick with Michelins.

[jbrainey]

http://www.harriger.com/tires.htm


http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=130198

[Goodwill_HiFi]

http://www.harriger.com/tires.htm

Thanks for the link..... unfortunately it doesn't give much detail on where to find the code, or what anything else means. I think my truck tires where made in Georgia, but I can't find the code on my car tires.

[jbrainey]

Thanks for the link..... unfortunately it doesn't give much detail on where to find the code, or what anything else means. I think my truck tires where made in Georgia, but I can't find the code on my car tires.

The D.O.T. (Dept. of Transportation) code is embossed in raised letters/numbers on the side of your tires. Look for the letters "DOT" followed by the two letters/numbers corresponding to location of manufacture. This code is required for all tires sold for use on public roads.

Buy American !

[pioneernut]

I replaced pair of stock Goodyears on my Dodge Durango with those Michelin LTX M/S tires and I thought those were a huge improvement over the Goodyears on traction, ride quality and especially road noise. However, I will say that the stock Goodyears, I managed to get 96k miles out of them with legal tread still remaining on them. It was the longest lasting tire I've ever owned. Even the dealer was amazed at 85k miles.

During my purchase, I used www.Tirerack.com 's reviews for deciding on the the Michelines.

[davidb1]

The best ride on a huge vehicle will come from a set of Bridgestone Alenzas.
The best bang for the buck Uniroyal Laredo Cross Country.

I spent 6 months in the wholesale tire industry, and that's the info I got from asking the long term guys.

Dave

[Goodwill_HiFi]

The D.O.T. (Dept. of Transportation) code is embossed in raised letters/numbers on the side of your tires. Look for the letters "DOT" followed by the two letters/numbers corresponding to location of manufacture. This code is required for all tires sold for use on public roads.


I found the "DOT" followed by the 2digit code, plus more .....on my Coopers.

I couldn't find it on my Rocky Mountains from Discount, Though. They do say "Made in USA".

[70salesguy]

My Tahoe came with some Uniroyals that were OK, but only provided average mileage.

Some internet research indicated that Michelin Cross-Terrains were much better, so when I replaced the Uniroyals, I went with the Cross-Terrains. They rode and drove better, but the mileage was no better.

I drive fairly conservatively and a fair amount on interstate highways. Snow and ice are virtual non-issues for me.

My dealer suggested that I go to the Michelin LTX M/S. I went with those and have found them to drive and ride better than the Uniroyals, not quite as good as the Cross-Terrains, but so far I have about 70,000 miles on them and still have some to go. I believe I will replace them when it's time with another set of LTX M/S.

Now, when it comes to "driving and riding like a car", I drive my Tahoe every day during the week, and it drives and rides very well. But on the weekend, I either drive my pickup for trips to the Home Depot, or drive my Thunderbird for fun. :yes:

Hope this information helps with your choice. :thmbsp:

[CChase]

I'd stick with the Michelin LTX if it were me. And I do... I use the LTX A/T, not the M/S, but still.

Michelin does make the best tires out there, if it's a concern. They're built better and wear better than any of the other manufacturers. They also balance better, and they tend to last a long time.

Someone above mentioned traction issues with the LTX... that surprises me. I have never felt that mine have any issues on the road at all. The off-road traction isn't too great, but oh well.

I have a 1993 C1500, FWIW.

[timofred]

Just recently I replaced the old BF Goodrich Mud Terrains on my 92 Nissan Patrol. They were not too good on wet tarmac.:no:
Got Cooper ATR 265/75-16, very happy,:D, lot less noise, lot more comfortable, and got a 60,000 km warranty, very rare in Australia.:thmbsp: