I recently purchased a set of Mavis Mountaineer A/T tires, made by Kumho. Previously, I had Cooper Discoverer RTX, and the factory originals (Hankook?) before that. The Mavis tires are super quiet, and the first ones that actually grip the road in the rain. $900.56 installed -- other brands, including the ones I had previously, were selling for several hundred more per set.
They seem a tiny bit flexible when towing a small (2,200#) trailer, but nothing uncomfortable or worrisome, and the speed and load ratings are more than sufficient for anything I do.

 

Sons have used Kumho street tires, cheap, like $400 for 4...last maybe 1 to 1.5 years. Decent for the price.

 

My next set will likely be Milestar Patagonia AT R or Pro, possibly Vredestein Pinza AT since TireRack carries them. I'd have to travel an hour to get to the closest Milestar dealer.

Both brands get really good reviews. Never had a set of Milestars but I've had a set of Vredesteins on my Outback and they were fantastic.

 

How do you know the $500 set of tires is not quality?
Would you be happier if I priced a set for you at $2000?

 

Agree there are a lot of parts to cheap out on, but I personally do not include rotors and pads in that group. I want good tires to keep me on the road, and good brakes to stop me.

 

How do you know when you have "good tires"? Or that you are buying good tires?

I once thought I was doing good buying a set of Pirelli tires. Worst tires I ever owned. Recently bought a set of Yokohama tires at Discount Tire. Cheapest tire they had for my Subaru. Love them.

 

You get what you pay for. One of the Canadian YouTubers I follow bought the MJOLNIR Anvil RT. The side wall blew out when he rubbed against his trailer.

 

Yeah, tires are the only thing between your truck and the road. Buy the best ones you can afford.

 

Obviously you can't know 100%. All you can do is reasonably educate yourself, and do your due diligence and make the most informed decision you can. What you don't want to do, IMO, is go to a tire store and automatically buy the cheapest tire they have. Obviously I don't want to spend any more than I have to, but I don't want to cheap out either.