[junior2005]

It's been about 4 years since I've had to purchase tires for my 1990 Suburban. It seems to me that tire prices are MUCH more expensive than they used to be.

I am looking for a good set that are rated for the SUV and that are good for towing a large trailer.

Anyone have any suggestions for what I might be looking for?

 

[ChevyFan]

What do you have on there now? There are several good highway tires that are good for towing. I think you are correct, they have doubled in price over the past 10 years or so.

 

[Aeropagus]

yeah, tires seem to be much more expensive than they were 3 or 4 years ago. Of course, you can always find some walmart cheapies, but good tires seem to be setting you back like $750+ for a large SUV.

 

[Anonymous]

well i have 245/75/16 michelin cross terrain suv tires on my truck..and let me say , theyre really nice. and rides great! i prefer michelins

 

[ChevyFan]

Myself. I have had good luck with BFGoodrich's, but I mostly look for a good tire that's on sale! I wait around for a clearance sale or something like that, and I'll even drive for a few dozen miles to save $50 or so.

Anyone else with me on this?

 

[Dieselburb]

The tires that were on my truck when I adopted it were General Tire Grabber TR 235/85R16 E, although they have a M+S rating I had to use 4HI to reverse out of parking stall with only an inch of snow on the ground(extremely embarassing). The tires still had 80% tread. I had originaly planned to wait until they were down to 60%, but that incident quickly changed that.
I have usually gone with Bridgestone Duellers but this time I was comparing the Bridgestone Revos and the BFGoodrich All Terain T/A KOs. After a long process of research/road testing/asking other drivers for input I settled on the BFGs.
The BFGs have more road noise(noise for me is not an issue,I love my diesel!), The Revos are probably better on the highway for MPG, with the BFGs I still average 26mpg hwy/16mpg city. Off road traction with the BFGs is awsome,heavy rain/snow/mud no problems what so ever. The BFGs are also severe snow rated, one of only a handful to get this rating.
My truck has a 13500 GCVW rating and when I have had it loaded the BFGs have proven their capabilities. So far with 8000 miles they have shown no wear.
The only other tire I would consider and/or recommend would be the Michelin LTX M/S if the majority of your driving is highway, (smoother and quieter).
Just my two cents

 

[ChevyFan]

Generals huh. My wife has those on her little Chevy Caviliar and they're find tire for that. We don't get a lot of snow down here in the Dallas / Fort Worth area but I grew up in the Northwest and growing up we always has goodyear tires on my dad's old suburban, rated for severe snow with studs in them in the winter so we could go up camping and hunting in northern Washington state.

How do you get 26MPG freeway with a rig that is 13500 GCVW?

 

[Dieselburb]

Steve, With the 6.2l Diesel, 235/85R16E @ 80psi, and not exceeding 65mph my truck cruises at a sweet spot of decent power and economy. If I drive any faster (70-75mph or more) I see a drop in milage. My last road trip with a trailer weight of 7000lb from Edmonton Alberta to Vancouver British Columbia I averaged 23MPG. The B.C. interior is much the same as northern Washington state(lots of mountains/13% grades), with the TH400 and 4.10 gears the Suburban, although it's not a speed demon, it pulls steady like no tomrrow. With the 700R4, 3.73 gears and dedicated highway tires fuel economy would have a potential increase to 28-30MPG unloaded. Obviously there are a lot of variables involved(weight/weather/road condition/LEAD FOOT syndrome,etc), so on longer trips I watch everything within reason(such as tire inflation, as every 10psi underinflated reduces economy by 1% and increases tire wear and effects handling negatively. Which at the end of the year can add up$$$).
Still when driving around town I can't always help it when gravity takes control of my right foot.

 

[ChevyFan]

Yeah, I think I was born with a heavy right foot myself. I've spent a little bit of time up in BC and Alberta. My grandparents built and ran an RV resort in Northern Idaho called Beyond Hope Resort. It was just on the other side of Hope, Idaho...hence "Beyond Hope." Anyhow, it's some really pretty country up there. I wish there was some better industry up there, I would be tempted to try to find work up there.

 

[Dieselburb]

The countryside up here sure is a blessing, just too bad the tax rate here is such a sin. If I had it my way I'd be living south of the border where you're allowed to make money and actually keep some of it. All I have to do is go for a cruise in the Suburban and all is happy again. :lol:

 

[TrailLeadr]

26Mpg! Nice for a 'burb!
Gotta love those diesels.

I had Generals, and Goodyears. I was none too impressed. I felt that with my 2500's stiff suspension they just made the ride that much harder. Plus I think they suck in the New England snow. I recently went to 265/75/16 all terrain Kumhos. great all weather traction and the price was too good to pass up. They ride nice and soft, kind of makes the 'burban feel like a Caddy.

They were about $82 each compared to the 120-150 for other less impressive tires. (ie Goodyear Wrangler R/T, or Firestone's)

 

[ChevyFan]

When I got a blow-out recently, they gave me a new set of Kumhos on the rear to compensate for them screwing up and giving me the wrong wheel and tire (it was another customers tire, I had gone in to get it looked at, but I didn't have my warranty paper there, and they put the wrong wheel and tire in the back. oops, I had them!)

Anyhow, they seem like good solid and quiet tires. Best set of tires that I ever got for free!

 

[Guest]

Better price than I got!!

 

[ChevyFan]

Well, like I said, I had left my warranty paperwork at home, so I had to drive back to get it. They threw someone else's wheel and tire in the back on accident (like someone who was waiting to get on the road) and I was at my house with it in the trunk.

On condition that I drive back immediately, I got the free set of Kuhmos, but they also got me in instantly, didn't have to wait but 5 minutes while everyone else was waiting like 90.

Never had something like that happen before, so I knew I had to get someone for my trouble.

 

[RichardTraugott]

Funny thing those shoes we all wear on our feet. They're alot like tires on our vehicles. Some people wear Nikes, some wear Payless specials. Some footwear costs $100 or more, some $15. Some footwear lasts a year, some a lifetime.Everyones physique is unique, perhaps similiar but not identical. Funny thing is, it's all footwear. What makes footwear unique is the person wearing it. Every person is as unique as the foot print they have inside the footwear they wear. ..............There-in is the resolution. Everyone's driving technique is as unique and different as their footwear. Therefore the tirewear on their vehicles is just as unique. What works for some may not for others. What footwear fits, feels good and lasts for one may not for another. It's the same with tires. Now this is just my common-sense opinion, but it does make sense logically, doesn't it? Respond to this and I'll tell you what I'm putting on my late-model Bourban next. Rich

 

[Guest]

Ok, I'll bite. I would definately have to agree with your statement. So what are you putting on your 'burban?

 

[ChevyFan]

Anyone bought any new tires for their burban lately?

 

[Davandy]

My tires are very good they stick to the road and they aren’t expensive
BF Goodrich all terain

http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=BFGoodrich&tiremodel=All%2DTerrain+T%2FA%AE+KO

 

[ChevyFan]

What's the weather like up there (over there) for you Davandy?

 

[Davandy]

Most of the time it rains
A day of five snow in a year.
And twenty days summer if we're lucky