Need to replace the tires on the '04 2500 cummins. Not too worried about optimum highway manners, but it does a fair amount of snow plowing during the winter, so snow traction is a priority. Only bought this one in the spring, and the old sneakers are smoked, so I don't have much of a refrence point for waht works and wears well in this heavy a truck.
BFGs have been the best handling for me, as they are stiffer in the sidewall than most. That also means they don't ride as comfy, but who cares. Our neighborhood plow truck is running Blizzak's, and they rock in that duty. I have no idea how long they would last as a mixed duty tire, as that truck hasn't seen pavement in 10 years, and probably never will again. If you end up with lots of ice, I'd either go that route or dedicated studs.
I'm running Michelin M&S on my 06 cummins now, and they are certainly not an off-road tire, but have done pretty well in the ice and snow. And if that truck ever got "offroad" the fact that it is 100 feet long would be a much bigger problem than its tires.
I'm running Michelin M&S on my 06 cummins now, and they are certainly not an off-road tire, but have done pretty well in the ice and snow. And if that truck ever got "offroad" the fact that it is 100 feet long would be a much bigger problem than its tires.
These will be dedicated winter tires. Once snow hits here, this truck doesn't get to do anything but work until spring, so I'm thinking Blizzaks might be the best option.
Studded Nokian Hakkapellita's.....Period. We run them at work on 3/5 GMC's, nothing else comes close. Ex put them on her one ton ford crew last winter, pretty much unstoppable on ice and snow until you hit bumper deep.
So?
It's really only a factor for the first few km's....Once the studs where a bit they aren't slickery any more.....(grin)
It's really only a factor for the first few km's....Once the studs where a bit they aren't slickery any more.....(grin)
I'm a fan of studs, and I have a set of Hack-A-Palozza's studded for the the dodge. The blizzaks are neck and neck. (I don't blame you, I wouldn't believe it either) That said, I've run the hackapaloozas in nearly every condition, and the blizzaks only on the plow truck.
Not sure a Ford 6.9/auto really has enough power to spin tires...
Not sure a Ford 6.9/auto really has enough power to spin tires...
thanks for the input guys. I got ghe truck last february with general grabbers already on it. They really sucked, but we never got a break from the snow long enough to replace them. I aim to be a touch better prepared this time around!
Anything you buy, will be better than the grabbers....
I do understand the hesitation with studs and dry pavement, but it really isn't that bad.
For conversation though, I run the hakka's on my work truck, that sees a minimum of 6000km's a month over the winter on ice/snow/dry pavement/gravel/mud. I'm sold on 'em. Until April, when there gets to be a couple inches of mud over ice. Then I like chains.....(grin)
Sounds like the blizzards can hang though, so you'll be hard pressed to go wrong either way.
I do understand the hesitation with studs and dry pavement, but it really isn't that bad.
For conversation though, I run the hakka's on my work truck, that sees a minimum of 6000km's a month over the winter on ice/snow/dry pavement/gravel/mud. I'm sold on 'em. Until April, when there gets to be a couple inches of mud over ice. Then I like chains.....(grin)
Sounds like the blizzards can hang though, so you'll be hard pressed to go wrong either way.
On the 2 F250's I've owned I've run these 10 Plies as dedicated "fall/winter tires in North Dakota:
Goodyear Duratracs, they suck.
BF ATKO's, they're good.
Nitto Trail Grapplers, they're good in wet/heavy snow until you get hard packed snow/ice, then they suck.
BF ATKO II on currently and only have ~7K on them and not enough with any snow to say that they're better/worse than the original. If you can get by w/load D, they make a 34x10.50R17 that looks like it'll cut it's own track pretty well. That's the size I put on my current '11 F-250 as I don't tow anything heavy.
I ran a set of 10-ply Hankook MT03's on an '05 F150 crew and they worked well to about 15k, then 2 of them couldn't be run on the front due to inability to balance them, the wheel would shake violently @60MPH.
Goodyear Duratracs, they suck.
BF ATKO's, they're good.
Nitto Trail Grapplers, they're good in wet/heavy snow until you get hard packed snow/ice, then they suck.
BF ATKO II on currently and only have ~7K on them and not enough with any snow to say that they're better/worse than the original. If you can get by w/load D, they make a 34x10.50R17 that looks like it'll cut it's own track pretty well. That's the size I put on my current '11 F-250 as I don't tow anything heavy.
I ran a set of 10-ply Hankook MT03's on an '05 F150 crew and they worked well to about 15k, then 2 of them couldn't be run on the front due to inability to balance them, the wheel would shake violently @60MPH.
Blizzak's on order. Having a hell of a time finding some steel rims. The Dealer told be they could only get them for 2500 gas trucks. WTF? Diesel and gas 2500 wheels are different? I just shook my head and kept looking.
Anything is possible. I just don't trust them to know. These guys are simply out to lunch on pretty much everything.
04 had the HO. Dodge also does the 8800gvw and ~7500gvw 2500's though I'm not sure if in 04.
Suspect rotors and calipers could require more rim clearance on the higher weight rated front ends. Couldn't say, I've only owned the 8800gvw models.
Suspect rotors and calipers could require more rim clearance on the higher weight rated front ends. Couldn't say, I've only owned the 8800gvw models.
You'll need to know your gvw for brakes and front end running gear parts. It's listed in your drivers door jamb. Diesel extended or quad cab should be 8800.
Hadn't looked at my 2006 yet. Didn't notice they bumped them up 200 pounds. Must have started selling them with higher load rated tires. LOL!
Ended up with the blizzaks, and have no complaints. Light years ahead of the old grabbers, but even I saw that coming. Now it's time to think about tires for the rest of the year. The grabbers are pretty much toast, so I need to figure out what to run for the rest of the year. Mostly pavement driving, with some gravel use, but not much. Not doing any heavy towing, or mud bathing. Not much need for mud tread here.
Look for takeoffs @ the dealerships. Anywhere from 5-100mi and ~25% discount 'round here.wolfman said: