[mistaake]

After I get my engine issues sorted, the next order of business is new tires. I want a regular tire, not an all-terrain, because I want to get the best MPG possible and I don't go off road ever.

I have a vibration when driving on the highway and the mechanic said that it was a problem with the tires and that everything else in the suspension is in perfect condition. I've had this problem since I got the truck used. A few days after I bought the truck I had an alignment and balancing done when they patched one of the tires because it had a nail, and that didn't change anything.

Also, two of the tires have cupping (mechanic rotated them from the front to the back. Apparently my tires will be OK for another ~10K miles but then should be replaced then.

What annoys me is that there are two different types of tires. Now on the front are a pair of Michelins and on the back a pair of Geotracs. I want to replace all four tires at the same time so they are the same brand. That kind of stuff just bothers me.

Costco has only one type of tire available for my truck... BFG Long Trail T/A Tour for $107.99 each and $15 each for installation and balancing. Is this a good tire? We don't have snow around here so I don't care about that. But the other day I kind of went drifting in a parking lot because I turned abruptly and so maybe wet road traction is important to me.

The size on the sticker inside where the door is, says it should be P205/75R15 but the tires of the truck right now are P235/75R15. I don't want 235s again because right now the front tires rub on full lock turns. The only tire size Costco carries for my truck is P225/75R15.

On Tirerack there are some cheaper options from off-brand companies like Kumho. Are these OK?

The cheapest name brand tires on Tirerack are Goodyear Assurance but they don't have good reviews and those reviews are from a bunch of Prius and sedan owners so if the tires can't handle that I don't think they will be a good choice for a truck.

Tirerack also has the FIRESTONE DESTINATION A/T for $96.10 each... after shipping, etc. that works out to $446.16 before installation.

The local tire shop can do a generic tire for $396 installed. That's a "custom a/s" tire or something. I don't know if I want to go that route, but it is cheap.

Anyway, I'd love to hear from some experiences from Colorado owners on what tires you had and if they were good.

 

[seffieldvillage]

My wife has had 3 sets of kuhmo tires on her aveo, since it was new. She drives it all year round with no problems, in rain or snow. That's the only vehicle I have had with kuhmo tires, I can't comment on the tires I have now because I am running 35" good years on my colorado.

 

[mistaake]

My wife has had 3 sets of kuhmo tires on her aveo, since it was new. She drives it all year round with no problems, in rain or snow. That's the only vehicle I have had with kuhmo tires, I can't comment on the tires I have now because I am running 35" good years on my colorado.

I just can't get past the name "cum ho" I mean seriously, who thought that was a professional name for a company?

What about the Firestone Destination LE2?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...+LE+2&partnum=175TR5DLE2OWL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes#RatingsReviews

It works out to $100 more to get the Firestones. The reason I'm leaning toward that is better ratings across the board on Tirerack, and because the closest I ever came to an accident or wreck was in my 96 GMC Yukon 4WD, and the brand new set of Firestones (worth more than the SUV itself, especially because the transmission failed a short while later so I sold it instead of fixing it). I think with a worse tire I would have injured or killed somebody.

I was driving on the highway at about 70mph and in front of me was a brand new blue Toyota car... in front of that, a Nissan pick up truck. A bicycle fell out of the back of the Nissan truck, and the Toyota car slams on its breaks. It was like my first month driving so I was following the blue car very closely, and the brakes on the GMC were not very good while the brand new Toyota sedan (still had dealer plates) was stopping very quickly. I had very little time to decide what to do, and it was clear to me that my huge SUV hitting the blue car would probably injure the occupants. So without even looking in my mirror or using turn signal (didn't have time) I hoped there was nothing next to me and I swerved into the next lane... the tires squealed but I was able to maintain control of the vehicle and I didn't hit anything and kept on going as if nothing happened... except my friend who was sleeping in the passenger seat woke up immediately after and wondered WTF happened....

The moral of the story... Firestone saved me a lot of money and saved somebody from getting hurt. And uh, keep a save following distance when driving.

 

[Invader04]

Just me thinking here.... your Tires are one of the most important items on a vehicle. Cheap tires are usually just that....cheap. They wont last, they will cup and you will have to rotate them every few thousand miles. Buy a good tire. You dont have to go all out and spend $200 on each tire, but this is the thing that contacts the road and keep you safe and driving, not to mention other people safe. Anyway, as for size? I think a 225R75/15 is what would be good on your truck. I dont see y the hell Chevy thought it great to but a 205 size on a mid size truck, but thats just me. THe Firestones would a good choice, or anything from, Bridgestone, Cooper, Hankook, just to name a few that have some lower priced options. And keep a eye on your tire pressure. Seen way too many people who dont have a clue they are nearly on their rims.

 

[Unfettered]

When my truck was needing replacements, I got 4 Firestone destination LE's to replace the General tires that were on the truck from GM. They are a decent tire with good wet road traction. They are quiet and provide decent mileage.

 

[Jaymes]

Go with a 225/75r15

I had goodyear wrangler sr-a for the past few years (I'm switching to a more on/off road tire now though) and get good gas mileage and they seem to do well in most driving conditions. I don't think the sr-a's are that great on wet roads. Not good at all in mud, but thats a non issue for you.

I agree that the P205 is too small. Although it may net you better mileage you will get better performance from the 225. Since the 205 size is what came stock, I would also look into recalibrating your speedometer for the correct size or your speedometer will be off.

I personally don't trust firestone, but that's just me.

 

[mistaake]

Go with a 225/75r15

I had goodyear wrangler sr-a for the past few years (I'm switching to a more on/off road tire now though) and get good gas mileage and they seem to do well in most driving conditions. I don't think the sr-a's are that great on wet roads. Not good at all in mud, but thats a non issue for you.

I agree that the P205 is too small. Although it may net you better mileage you will get better performance from the 225. Since the 205 size is what came stock, I would also look into recalibrating your speedometer for the correct size or your speedometer will be off.

I personally don't trust firestone, but that's just me.

Hey, thanks for the response! What makes the 205 "too small"? Is there a compromise in ride quality?

If you look at the Tirerack page for the Goodyear, the ratings are awful. Primary complaint seems to be wet traction which is important to me as I drive aggressively even in rain.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...eModel=Wrangler+SR-A&partnum=275SR5WSRAOWL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

The Firestone has much better ratings and is cheaper:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...del=Destination+LE+2&partnum=275TR5DLE2OWL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

[Jaymes]

205 has a smaller contact patch with the road and less sidewall and has a smaller diameter. I wouldn't say that there is any compromise in ride quality but a 225 will be better in rain and maybe ride a bit better since there is more sidewall and the larger diameter. You *may* get better mpg with the 205 but since you said you drive aggressively then the 225 would be better.

It seems like out of those two the obvious choice is the firestone.

 

[Unfettered]

One advantage I have had sticking with the stock "narrow" tires is that it seems I can get into the road better in what snow we get in our area (Wichita, KS area). Also seems to have less "float" that a wider tire would on wet surfaces. My '09 uses a 215-70/R16 and now issues at almost 90,000 miles.

Firestone was bought out by Bridgestone about 10-15 years ago (after the "bad-tire" incident). I owned the same tires in question on another vehicle and never experience the problems.

<edit> I use a 215-70 tire not a 205-75 as I mistakenly used. <end edit>

 

[Tweek]

I have ran Goodyear Wrangler for the last 10/12 K...
Very happy with the choice !!! Excellent all around tire !!!
Went OEM size... 235/75/15
Bought them from Amazon at a fantastic price !!! Who would have thought it.... LOL
Good luck with your search !!!

 

[Unfettered]

I wish to stand corrected...Bridgestone bought out Firestone in 1988, so it had been longer.

I personally will never own another Goodyear tire and have actually had them replaced by the dealership in the past when I purchased a vehicle. I have never had one that was worth anything and their customer service at the time sucked. A tire warranty on a new vehicle from them isn't worth the paper the warranty is written on. They may make a great tire, but but they'll never get another dime from me.

 

[Tweek]

I actually own 3 sets of Goodyear... Would not trade them for any tire on the market... Every one has their favorites... Gotta go with what gives you what satisfies your needs !!!

 

[Unfettered]

@Tweek,

It was a case that they assumed that since I was 18 years old that I drove the truck improperly. Anyone knowing me and examining my truck would have known I drove that thing like an old man. Having bought a new vehicle as my first one. At 5000 the belts separated and one of the front tires threw the tread. It wasn't a GM issue according to the dealership as tires were warrantied by the manufacturer. Goodyear denied they had any responsibility due to my age. I had to replace those tires and that set lasted a heck of a lot longer than 5000 miles. I told Goodyear I would never own another one of their tires, and through this experience, my family doesn't either. I also never put them on company vehicles I had control over as we were usually given options as to where to get tires.

So much for pissing off a young man as I have spent (personally and through corporate accounts) close to $20,000 for tires over the years to date.

Just my reasoning and I'll leave it at that, but as you said everyone has their favorites.
My personal favorite over the years had been Uniroyal, but I haven't seen or really pursued anyone who may still sell them as my service place sells Bridgestone\Firestone. This particular service shop has always done well by me and my family so I reward them by coming back.

 

[DigEm]

I always say go BFG and never worry. My experience though.

 

[Tweek]

@Tweek,

It was a case that they assumed that since I was 18 years old that I drove the truck improperly. Anyone knowing me and examining my truck would have known I drove that thing like an old man. Having bought a new vehicle as my first one. At 5000 the belts separated and one of the front tires threw the tread. It wasn't a GM issue according to the dealership as tires were warrantied by the manufacturer. Goodyear denied they had any responsibility due to my age. I had to replace those tires and that set lasted a heck of a lot longer than 5000 miles. I told Goodyear I would never own another one of their tires, and through this experience, my family doesn't either. I also never put them on company vehicles I had control over as we were usually given options as to where to get tires.

So much for pissing off a young man as I have spent (personally and through corporate accounts) close to $20,000 for tires over the years to date.

Just my reasoning and I'll leave it at that, but as you said everyone has their favorites.
My personal favorite over the years had been Uniroyal, but I haven't seen or really pursued anyone who may still sell them as my service place sells Bridgestone\Firestone. This particular service shop has always done well by me and my family so I reward them by coming back.

Sucks not getting service out of a company over an assumption !!! Should stand behind the product if it is defective... Sounds like yours was !! I have never had trouble out of a Goodyear tire.... If I ever do and get treated as you did.... I will do the same thing as well !!! :th_s52:

 

[fitsector]

don´t know if my post is on time for helping you out, but I cant be more happy with the Michelin LTX M/S2 on my 2WD Colorado, awesome mileage, super soft quality ride, and well, you know you can trust in this Brand.

 

[mistaake]

don´t know if my post is on time for helping you out, but I cant be more happy with the Michelin LTX M/S2 on my 2WD Colorado, awesome mileage, super soft quality ride, and well, you know you can trust in this Brand.

Those are what I have on the front of the truck right now They are OK. I don't know how to compare a tire. I am not ordering for another few months so I'm still open to suggestions.

 

[Tweek]

Not trying to kick any brands.... But.... The next chance you get ... Cut the sidewall on a Michelin... Super thin... A gravel could junk one... But they do ride well !!! Once again... To each their own...

 

[Unfettered]

Get some old 10 ply tires....Walls so thick they could hold our trucks up without air and ride like hell....

 

[Tweek]

Get some old 10 ply tires....Walls so thick they could hold our trucks up without air and ride like hell....

LOL... No doubt !!!