There are hundreds of pages in here on tires, lots on 4x4 options, but I think my priorities may be slightly different than most - I'm looking for ride and handling over the mileage rating. I need a good tire that I can get 40K out of. The reason I don't want a 70K tire is because they will likely dry rot before they wear out.

My 2010- 2WD screw cab has the factory provided Michelins that still have good tread left at only 41K, but they have dry rotted to the point that I don't trust them on the highway. They ride and handle great but unfortunately must be replaced and I don't see the need to pay premium for a new set of 70K tires just to throw them away later with good tread left.

Is there anything special about a 70K tire that I should know about other than mileage and is it possible to get a great set of 50-60K tires? I've read countless tire reviews and the Kumho, Cooper and General look like good alternatives that still offer good ride and handling.

Rot is unpredictable, I get that, but does my plan of looking for a tire that will wear out by the time it rots make sense? Seems like a counterintuitive move but I won't run with cracked tires and I don't want to buy another set just to get rid of them years later with good tread on them.

At the rate I'm going the truck will be pushing 20 and on its 3rd set by the time it hits 100K, and normally I wouldn't care about tires so much if I had plans to trade it in but I don't. My employer felt I was close enough to retirement to lay me off so it's very possible that I'll be holding on to it for a very long time.

 

The brand name and model is not as important as proper inflation, rotation, and driving style. Any tire at all purchased today should get 40,000 miles if maintained and not abused with aggressive driving. A 70,000 mile rated tire won't last 45,000 miles if abused or under inflated.

I would look instead of mileage ratings on the tire tread design and load capacity best suited for your intended use.

I also consider where the tires are made and where the tire company is domiciled. An Internet search will show the few companies that both manufacture and are based in the US, which is why I usually limit my search for the best Goodyear tire for my purposes, using their website or calling their product advisors.

One factor I compare is tread depth. For example, for my truck's tire size (load range E) the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain with Kevlar has a deeper tread depth than the Michelin Defender LTZ.

 

I run into a similar issue. I only drive an average of 5k miles a year. Tires are only safe for at most 8 years from date of manufacture. This is a natural thing with tires.

So, in those 8 years I will put 40k miles on tires so I also don't need a 70k mile tire. I look at my needs which is a tire with good ice and snow traction. I currently switch out summer and winter dedicated tires but am getting tired of that. Also using 2 sets of tires the get outdated way before the tread gets bad.

For the OP who is in Louisiana I would look at a tire that is rated good for rain. Your tires are probably getting dry rotted from a lot of extreme sun and heat. Don't cheap out on tires just because you only need a 40k mile tire - a quality tire will last longer for you - tread depth isn't everything. The build quality of the tire is just as important. Stick with a good name brand - even find a tire that is made in the USA - there are quite a few of them.

How to read tire date code:

https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/...-of-your-tires

 

It amazes me how many people don't read a date code before buying a vehicle or getting new tires.

I bought a '98 Ford Explorer new off the lot. Got home, pulled the spare (stored so you can't read the code), and found it was 2 1/2 years old and faded from the sun (since it was under the truck, obvious someone rotated old stock). I went back and had the dealer swap the tire for a new one.

On every vehicle I buy I now check all tires, including spare, before signing. If a tire is more than 6 months old, vehicle isn't bought. When I have to buy replacement tires, I select what I want (usually Michelin Defenders) and call my local Discount Tire and have them verify that the tires aren't more than 3 months old, and that they have 4 that match with the same date code. If they don't, they order me 4 new ones.

There is no reason to buy old tires, especially when you're going to age them off the vehicle before using the tread up. Coming up on 5 years on my F-150 end of December and right now I have under 33,000 miles or roughly 6,600 a year. Barely get to the end of tread in 8 years.

 

 

You sound very logical in your approach. I used to sell tires, so I would like to add some points that you may not have considered. I like your approach, but think about these things too.

1. Most tires fail during the period when their tread is worn, not new.
2. Tire tread design and depth are crucial to expelling water when driving in rain, to prevent hydroplaning. The deeper the tread on the same tire, the less likely you are to hydroplane.
3. Tires with more tread depth dissipate heat more effectively.
4. Tire tread depth, design, and compound are key components to grip.
5. Tire tread depth helps prevent punctures.

Buying a tire that will still have great tread depth when you replace it will give you a much safer ride. It will resist puctures better, be much less likely to hydroplane, provide better grip, and dissipate heat better.
For me, I'd rather spend a bit more (maybe not a 70K mile tire...perhaps a 60K mile tire) to have the added safety it provides. Especially, since you will likely have them until cracking becomes evident...which means they will already be at a marginalized point in their life. Dry, cracking tires are not as pliable and (I have never researched this) probably don't provide as much grip anyways....why compound the issue by also having shallow tread?

So, to summarize....for me, I'd rather have old tires with lots of tread than old tires with only a little tread. There are so many advantages to having that deeper tread throughout the life of the tire that I think they far outweigh the added cost.

That's my opinion. I wanted to bring it up since noone else addressed the advantages to having great tread the whole life of the tire. I hope it gives you something else to think about.

 

This makes a lot of sense Kingofwylietx and I like it. Thanks!

 

I appreciate ALL of the feedback and advice from everyone, and especially about checking the date stamp. That rules out ordering online.

Anyone have a recommendation on the brands I listed above or maybe one I haven't? I'm leaning toward the Kumho Cragen but not entirely. I've seen tons of positive reviews and only a few negatives, but the positives are mostly from buyers who are still in the "Honeymoon" period. Not many posts about how they are after after 20-30K miles.

 

 

I am also a Cooper fan. A few times during the year they run rebates (as well as most major tire manufacturers) - keep an eye on their websites.