OEM Tires

[DieselHamster]

My 2011 came with Continental Contirac TR in LT 275 70R18. I've recently had experience with snow with my truck and I am appalled at the traction that tire gives. My rear tires simply spin. I need 4wd often. The other day I needed 4wd to back out at an outdoor parking lot. It was on flat ground on packed snow. We had a chinook that softened the hard pack, but I really should not need 4wd in that situation.

Just a word to the wise. If you buy the truck, and it comes with those tires, you may want to consider changing them to something that is reasonable. I suppose it will be fine as a summer highway tire, but I certainly will not replace it with the same once they wear out.

I recently came across a review of this tire at tirerack.com:
Continental ContiTrac TR

Another thing you may want to look into ; it seems to be a rather difficult tire size to get tires in. I wanted to get Bridgestone Blizzaks for winter tires since I am really a fan of those tires on both my VW Jetta and my 97 F250. Sadly, I cannot get the tires on an 18" rim, but can with a 17 rim (265 70 R17 iirc), but they are not the same circumference. I've not decided yet, but I'm unlikely to move to those. At the moment, I am probably more inclined to buy an AT and use that for winter use.

I know alot of people change the tire size dramatically, but I'd be curious to find out if anyone else has found a good tire in the factory size that performs well on snow & ice.

Regards,

Rob

[mysticblu999]

Sound like you need some Terra Grapplers. I used them last winter and never needed 4x4. My truck came with the Michelins and I like them pretty good but, I'm biased, I'm a Michelin man.

[jasonmt]

Lots of different tyres are available in 275/70/18, here are 5 different winter ones off the top of my head that come in 275/70/18:

Toyo Open Country WLT1

Toyo Open Country G-02 plus

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT

Firestone Winterforce LT

Cooper Discoverer M+S

As well as various other "pure winter tyres" that come as private label or store brands and then you go to the all season tyres with a snowflake rating (GY Duratrac/Silent Armour etc.).

[tim1010]

Terra Grapplers are ok when they are new but In my experiance you will get horrible wear. I have had 2 sets in the past and didnt get more than 20K before they were almost bald.

[jay diesel]

x2 with the terra grapplers they are good if you want to buy a set every winter

[richc22a]

ok..ok... I really like traction.. I also tow intermittantly... which tire with great traction also has 10 ply....

last year worked a heavy snow area, put studded tires all the way around...worked real good, I carry a good sized chain, snapped a 2' tree that snow load put across the highway using low 4x4...had a blast rolling in snow n ice...

[11PSD]

I had a set of goodyear silent armmor pros on my X. I have that same continentals on my rig right now. I can't wait to get a new set of those once these wear out. They have the snow rating on them and the pro series have a hell of a weight rating per tire. I loved mine. I am a Michillen man but those tires changed me over for a quiet, smooth ride that was great for towing and gripped like chains!

[DieselHamster]

I put some Goodyear Ice Grip WRT tires on my truck today, and had them studded. I'll be picking it up tonight and it can only get better. I have acquired a real hate for continental tires now . I plan to put on Michelin LXT M/S2 as highway 3 season tires and just sell those OEM Continentals.

[jasonmt]

Originally Posted by DieselHamster

I put some Goodyear Ice Grip WRT tires on my truck today, and had them studded. I'll be picking it up tonight and it can only get better. I have acquired a real hate for continental tires now . I plan to put on Michelin LXT M/S2 as highway 3 season tires and just sell those OEM Continentals.

I would not expect to get more than $100 for them on Kijji etc. unless the market in Calgary for the Crapinental's is a whole bunch different than Edmonton's. We have been running them for trailer tyres because they are both so cheap to pick up and the ones we had were basically unsellable.

[jbm49u]

I had the Michelins Ltx 20's on mine and I think they are a sorry tire 7000 miles and still couldnt get them balanced right so I spent 1600 on some toyos rides better just a small amount of noise on the open country mt's, buddy has a dodge and has had the same prob with the michelins on his, toyo for me from now on.