Truck Shocks

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
December 27, 2012

I put these tires on my '99 Mazda Protege which I use to commute back and forth to work and leave the truck parked to save on gas. I purchased these in August when Tire Rack had a closeout on them, and Michelin was offering a $75 rebate, which means I got the tires for around $60/ea! Anyway, we had our first couple storms the other weekend. First was just a inch or so which turned into pure ice on most of the roads. Could not believe how well the tire performed. A couple days later we got hit with 13" of snow, along with the ice still underneath. I decided I had better take the truck out since it is 4wd. Was I shocked! I couldn't believe how much better my little Mazda was than my 4wd Silverado. Now, the truck has Destination A/T's on it which are awesome, but have about 50,000 on them so they are down to around a 1/4 tread left. The roads were completly messed up for the next 3 days and I had no problem with the snow tires on the packed snow, honestly driving around other vehicle's stuck on hills. I will never not have a vehicle without snow tires on it again!

Initial Review, 800 Miles on Tires
September 26, 2010

I wouldn't normally post a review until I had put more miles on a set of tires, but thought I would in case there's anyone else out there like me not wanting to spend a fortune on tires but still wanting good handling. Frankly, Firestone would have been the last brand I would normally have bought due to my perception that the company has had too many quality problems, but I honestly don't know if that's accurate or not. At any rate, being in a low budget mode right now I went for these due to the incredible price, the outstanding reviews by owners on this site, and with winter coming up. The reviews are what convinced me. Living in middle Tennessee we don't get the serious snows like in other parts of the country, but last year we got several that were pretty heavy for our area and with some serious ice a couple of times. Nice to know reviewers rank these very high for that type driving in case we get some this year. The tread on these is very deep and aggressive, and look great on the truck in the blackwall. A little squirm when cornering but to be expected on a new tire with deep tread. Rain handling is awesome. They do have a little highway hum, to be expected with a winter tire, but I have a louder than stock exhaust so who cares? The ride quality is pretty good, and this truck has a pretty stiff suspension. They make them in an LT (light truck) 10-ply model, but I got the passenger rated ones since I don't haul much or tow anything. And if anyone is considering going one size wider than the stock 255-70/17's on a 2007 F-150, the 265-70/17's I bought fit fine and with plenty of clearance at the rear shocks and the front suspension arms, and a very minor amount taller. I'll come back and do a follow-up after more miles and more weather. (If you're going to order from these guys, check out Spencer at extension 690, a really professional guy . Got the order right and to me in two days.)

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
December 20, 2012

Bought these as replacements to the OEM rugged trails and the rugged terrains are so far, far superior. Wet and dry traction is superb on highway and I use my truck off road in the woods around the house to tow a firewood trailer, cross horse pastures, and travel plenty of dirt/gravel country roads. I would say the truck is actually smoother with these on vs the R Trails's and possibly even quieter, but that might be due to the mileage on the R trails which I replaced at 30K. I did not want to venture the winter with the remaining tread on those. We should be getting some light to mod snow around Christmas and am looking forward to seeing how the Rugged Terrains do in the white stuff. And we'll be taking the tacoma down the OBX again this summer and i'll get to test these in the sand. The R Trail's managed OK this past trip to the beach, even allowing us to pull out a stuck Tacoma & a range rover, but I think that was mainly due to the Tacoma's 4 wheel drive systems. But the perfect application should come in September when I need to drive the truck from the east coast to Colorado and then up into the mountains for an Elk hunting trip. BTW, at 70 mph on the interstate, these tires run very smooth and quiet with no vibration or chatter...If your experiencing this I would take them back to the shop for a re-balance and get your shocks and alignment checked, its not the tires, unless in the very rare case you got one with a broken radial, which I have experienced with another Brand, but not with BF Goodrich. I hope Michelin lets BF G continue to put out the quality they have in the past... I used to run BFG AT's on my old truck and never had a problem at all, but since I'm now using this truck as a commuter and weekend off roader, the rugged terrains seems to be the perfect solution so far.

Initial Review, 32,000 Miles on Tires
November 05, 2012

These Michelins have given great service. There is plenty of tread left and the overall performance is about what you'd expect from Michelin.I have never been disappointed with this brand. I have used them on three of my wife's cars and all have given good value.
On this truck I am primarily looking for good treadwear, low noise and decent wet/snow and dry traction.This tire delivers. Keep an eye on the inflation and rotate them at about 5k miles and they should last a long while. I waited to write this review til I had some time/miles on them and there is still plenty of tread left to get through this and probably next winter.
I replaced 10 ply Goodyear Silent Armor Pros, from a local dealer, that did not go 30k. So trust Tire Rack, (I've bought many winter tires, brake parts and shocks from them), and Michelin.

Initial Review, 50,000 Miles on Tires
October 04, 2012

On the advice of several friends who run them, I purchased a set of these tires 285-70R-17 for my 2002 Ford 150. The above ratings are based on my experience these tires at 50,000 miles and with a variety of other AT and Mud Tires.

Folks these are rocks star mud tires that can handle highway driving without being too obnoxious. They are not formula 1 tires but they are predictable on-road...I have no complaints regarding their on-road performance.
Off-road is where they shine... On at least 3 occasions, I have driven across fields, stopped and backed up to other trucks that were stuck before putting my truck in 4wd and pulling them out. (Yes I was showing off and yes I couldn't resist coating their trucks in a rooster tail of mud... at least one of these trucks now runs the same tires.) I have driven thru wet woods cutting deep ruts, hitting stumps and loaded with firewood countless times and driven thru snow dragging the undercarriage. I am still amazed at the difference in off-road permformance vs AT tires.

They will last if you rotate them and have good shocks and tight suspension/linkage...50,000 miles with half tread is pretty common. Be warned...Ignore rotations and maintenance and irregular wear will occur.

Initial Review, 300 Miles on Tires
June 27, 2012

2001 Camaro SS
Performance Springs, Koni Shocks & Struts, Performance Tubular Lower Control Arms, Performance Tubular Panhard bar, 35mm Front Sway Bars/22mm Rear sway bar, Subframe connectors.

My suspension is tuned for corner carving performance and these tires are TERRIBLE! It felt as I was driving an old land boat! My stock truck felt safer than my car. These tires felt dangerous to drive on in corners and any speed on the highway. Enroute to work I take a curve at 85mph safely with good tires and I could barely drive 60mph with these on the same curve.

The size is 275/40 17 on my car. Different size tires might have a better performance.

Road noise is virtually not there. Didn't drive in snow or rain.

These do have a 30 day return policy which I took advantage of.

Good luck in choosing the correct tire.

Initial Review, 20,000 Miles on Tires
July 03, 2012

well I never buy tires to last on my trans am with 400HP to the rear wheels but unlike most every other tire these still have grip at 20K miles, about to run out of tread and hydroplaning becoming an issue at speed due to lack of tread, but when I bought them and they said they had a 30K mile warranty I laughed. Well I got 20 and that was a shock. As my driving leave rubber in alot of places . Wish they made a tire to fit my truck.

Initial Review, 10 Miles on Tires
July 04, 2012

Best tires available, period. Expensive, but the smoothest riding tire out there by far. 2nd set of Michelins (got 75,000) from the same first set) and can't believe the increase in ride comfort, quietness and overall handling improvement. I drive both city and highway, and frequently tow a 2500lb work trailer with an 85,000 mile Toyota Tacoma double cab. Also installed the Bilstein 5100 shocks at the same time and wish I did it all sooner; I really believe the truck rides better than new!

Initial Review, 6,000 Miles on Tires
July 05, 2012

I replaced a NEW set of Continental DWS tires as I had the feeling that they were just a bit to soft for the suspension set-up on the Mazda3 GT which for anybody out there that dosent know Mazda -this suspension is very very firm .in 2010 it was revised to be more ameniable to regular driving yet still has its roots in a performance setup .
Given that the DWS are great tires but fro the right car/ and proabably Truck/ Minivan even better . They were all-around dry-wet-snow hence DWS so I saw that Bridgestone had a new tire the S-04 and the metamorphisis was immediatly noticeable and I cringed while waiting to hit my first road imperfection or pothole because the car is unforgiving with performance tires , alas --I hit road damage and it ate it up without a jarring hit as if I had rolled over a small grenade . My pervious experience with some Yokos that were very hard gave me to blowouts from pothole hits while relatively new ......but these S-04s have been prerforming far beyond my expectations ---gripping like a cat in panic mode and forgiving enough to let you drive in urban enviroments without constant fear of that imminent pothole from -------- that leaves you wondering how much damage that did to the bushings , alignment or tires? These hold like glue and make me pine to get out and just drive even to work ---It makes the car handle like I believe it was engineered to by the Mazda techs . Many may laugh that have thier "bmws" or audis or other cars that people just assume are the best handling cars out there , but those that know Mazda know what I talking about .
I had a chase thru a nasty set of chacanes near the ocean with a Lambo G and the guy could not shake me as he clearly forced me to yield and let him pass as I did --but he never got away from me til we hit the straights where the extra 450hp made the diffirence ,,,but in the twistys he was sweating bullets in amazment or shock ? great tires.

Initial Review, 35,000 Miles on Tires
May 24, 2012

Purchased these tires from Tire Rack about 5 years ago since my vendor (I have a shop) does not carry this brand & I wanted to try them out. Very easy to balance & have not had any problems with tires going out of balance. Fantastic performance on rain, snow & ice, drove in 2 large snow storm 19” & 32” & never got stuck or felt any slipping in fact they push so hard in the snow that even in 2wd I managed to rip off my fog lights from all the snow my bumper was pushing. On a trip to Canada I got caught in freezing rain & kept seeing cars sliding off the highway, it wasn’t until I pulled over to help a driver and fell on my backside that I realized how bad the road was. Hit a very large puddle on the highway at speed & I was shocked at how well they dissipated the water. Loved them so much I put them on 3 other trucks. Very quiet on the pavement for an A/T tire. Used them only once on mud, sand & dirt but so far very happy although they do grab small pebbles and fling them out when back on the pavement. 35k miles on them and still 80%+ tread remaining. Best A/T tire I have owned so far.

Initial Review, 500 Miles on Tires
February 27, 2012

What I was looking for was a responsive tire with good straight line stability. Handling and surefooted confidence was far more important than a spongy ride. The Yokohama Geolandar HT/S tires (with 15K on them) that were on the truck when purchased used at 93K were quite squirmy exhibiting a very delayed response from steering input. Before I looked for tires I replaced the shocks, Idler arm and pitman arm, and had the truck aligned. I had a very unique opportunity to test three new tires on my truck: P265/70R17 Michelin LTX MS2, LT265/70R17 Michelin LTX MS2, and the P265/70R17 Continental CrossContact LX20. The P265/70R17 Michelin LTX MS2 exhibited considerable tire squirm at both 35 and 40 psi cold, not unlike the Yokohamas. The LT load-e version of the same Michelin LTX MS2 tire felt very similar at 50 and 60 psi, although the ride was predictably firmer. The Continental CrossContact LX20s, however, were like night and day compared to the Michelins and the Yokohamas. There was more feedback from the tires with a slightly firmer ride. They were quieter (although I wouldn't consider the Michelins noisy). But the steering response was considerably better. Steering input resulted in a nearly immediate change in direction, far better than either the Michelins or the Yokohamas which both exhibited an uncomfortable lag in response. The Continentals are rated at a slightly higher load rating then the P-Metric Michelins (144 lbs. per tire more) and are three pounds lighter. If you are interested in handling response and a better driving tire, get the Continentals.

Initial Review, 1000 Miles on Tires
February 05, 2012

YES, they will fit and they do not rub. I've had trucks my entire life... so moving to a Volvo XC70 was quite the shock. AWD is great, but it's only good if you have good traction. The BFgoodrich All Terrain K/O has incredible traction year round in any condition. I have driven through some of the worst winter storms on the I-70 corridor in Colorado. On more than one occasion the west side of Eisenhower pass was complete ice and cars and trucks were sliding backwards down the highway... piles of 30-40 cars stuck together on the low part of the curves... crazy stuff. I drove right up the pass through all of the carnage and was usually the only one who made it. It was like a pinball game... Yes, they are a little noisier than an all season touring radial that should go on the XC70, but they handle so much better. The super strong sidewall makes it handle like it has a lower profile tire. The handling and responsiveness is so much better. I like to be able to go anywhere anytime, dirt, snow, mud, dry pavement. The BFgoodrich All Terrain K/O provide me with the maximum traction, year round, for any situation without having to swap summer/winter tires on my grocery getter volvo wagon. I know my new ride is not a truck, but at least I don't feel like a sitting duck when the weather conditions get bad. I have driven over 300,000 miles on the BFgoodrich All Terrain over the years. I'm ecstatic that the smallest size they make fits on my Volvo XC70.

Initial Review, 80,000 Miles on Tires
February 26, 2012

Gmc Canyon 4x4, S-10 4x4, Honda Ridgeline, Toyota 4Runner, All 4 wear LTX M/S. My Canyon just got 3rd set of LTX's, second set got 80,000 miles. S-10 is on its 4th set, it's pushing 200,000. 4Runner is still on 2nd set at 55,000 miles, truck has 130,000. Michelin was very acommoidating to warranty replace all 4 on my Ridgeline at 35,000 miles 7/32 tread left for cracking tread and sidewall. I worked in the tire industry several years back and found through experience that Michelin makes a superior product in most of their product lines. My BMW has stock 18" PS2's and My 09 V6 Accord has 18" stock Michelins. The Max performance Michelin's I have used are unprecedented for traction & handling, 25,000 for wear is common for me. Over 30 years of personal tire buying my advice is to pay a small amount more up front and in the end you will be better served for the life of your tires. I have used Goodrich, Uniroyal, Firestone, Yokohama, Goodyear,& Bridgestone, all fall short in long range performance. Only the Yokahama and Bridgestone were close in long life ride comfort, as well as tread wear. Please take my comments seriously, I have had literally hundreds of personal and business tires and Michelin as a company has serviced me better than the other manufactures. If you regularly maintain the alignment and shocks on a vehicle & check your air pressure, The Michelin will in general wear more evenly and maintain a better ride longer, not to mention service you more mileage on most of their product line.

Initial Review, 45000 Miles on Tires
January 16, 2012

After 45,000 miles I could not be happier. Still have plenty of tread and the ride is as if the tires are new. Dropped the gas mileage a bit from the previous Dunlop's that were oem, but that was also because they were like q-balls with no resistance and consequently no tread to absord the noise and shock either. The popularity of these tires has also led to a price increase.....as well as the cost of materials......but I would not hesitate to buy another set based on this experience. By the look of things, I may get 70,000 plus, not bad for a truck tire.

Initial Review, 2000 Miles on Tires
January 03, 2012

This is my second set of WinterForce tires for a pickup truck.

My first set was installed on a 1999 Ford Ranger. They were fantastic, but as the seasons wore on I did have trouble balancing them.

We eventually had to use a Hunter Road Force to get a acceptable balance.

On the 2005 Chevy, these tires were as quiet as the all seasons I had on (Bridestone).

They balanced perfectly on a standard Coats 950 wheel balancer.

So say these are great tires in heavy snow is an understatement. Plus, I was shocked at how quiet they are. Firestone made some good strides since I purchased my first pair maybe 5 years ago.

Would I but them again? You bet. In heavy snow, they can't be beat.

I will see in the coming years how they hold up overall.