Which truck tires should I get?

[sadaist]

I have a 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 that is in need of new tires. When I purchased it, it had 31/10.50/15 tires on it. The recommended tire size is p235/75/15. Which do I get?

The 31's are just a cunt hair larger I think...and a few bucks more a piece. But will it really make any noticeable difference? Will the slightly smaller / recommended tires have a longer lifespan? Ride more smoothly? I mean, how much smaller are they?

Both have about the same type of tread pattern I am looking for. It's just that they seem so damn close in size, but use different units of measurement so it makes it difficult to know exactly what the difference is. Anyone here know the difference in the measurements or have a suggestion as to which is preferable? I just don't want to plunk down $400 without feeling a little more sure of what I'm getting.

[Little Texan]

Are you wanting street treads or all terrains? The reason I ask is the last time I bought a set of tires for my truck I bought a set of tires called Advanta Spector. They are All Terrain, budget priced, are BF Goodrich clones, and they haven't worn much in the two years I've had them despite driving the shit out of that truck and hauling alot of heavy loads. A bit of advice, whatever you do, STAY AWAY FROM COOPER TIRES. They aren't worth a pinch of dog shit! I learned the hard way on that one.

[chefcraig]

The 31/10.50/15 are pretty much off road type of tires. It depends entirely how you use your truck. Is it predicated primarily to city or highway driving? If that is the case, save yourself some money and get the p235/75/15s.

When I was doing construction, I went for the beefier tires on my truck, because the job sites in S. Florida tended to turn into mud pits thanks to the summer rains. They were also more forgiving when running over the construction debris to be found at any site. But they were not the best for highway driving, particularly when I was traveling to jobs far out of the local area. They were noisy as hell, gave a lousy ride and did not wear all that well.

Like I said, it depends on how you use your truck. If it's merely a daily driver, you really will not need the heavier tire. If your truck is getting some abuse via off-road travel, then by all means consider the 31/10.50/15s.

Hope that helps ya out.

[Kristy]

Why everybody knows you go with the Michelin XGV size 75R14



Unless you happen to be driving in the State of Alabama.

[sadaist]

I do most my driving on the road. Not too many wet conditions here, but it does rain occasionally. I like a bit of an aggressive tread so if I need to go down a dirt road or go camping I don't have to sweat it too much. I don't tow anything, but I do load the bed up pretty heavy at times.

I'm looking at 2 right now. They each come in both sizes.

GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S

BIG O MESA A/P

I've looked up a bit on both, and apparently the Goodyears are used very often as the original tire from the dealer. So I'll probably go with those. Just not sure which size.

[chefcraig]

Why everybody knows you go with the Michelin XGV size 75R14



Unless you happen to be driving in the State of Alabama.

Not in Florida you don't. The roads are paved with a concoction of crushed coral and seashells that makes it like you are driving on a cheese grater. I've had nothing but bad luck with Michelins and even BF Goodrichs here.

Besides, sadaist's truck has a 15 inch rim.

[sadaist]

Why everybody knows you go with the Michelin XGV size 75R14



Unless you happen to be driving in the State of Alabama.

But I don't haul "TOO YUTES" around.

[Dan]

Just Drive On The Rims.

[chefcraig]

Just Drive On The Rims.

Believe it or not, there is a law on the books here that makes driving on your rims (with an under-inflated tire or no tire at all) illegal. So just think, when you are running from the law and they use one of those spike-strips to blow out your tires, once you are captured it's yet something else they can tack on to your criminal charges.

[Nickdfresh]

Just go to the Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels and read the reviews on the individual tires available for your truck. They're pretty reliable and realistic. I've heard the favorite for trucks is BF Goodrich or Pirelli. But I ain't got no truck...

[sadaist]

I've heard the favorite for trucks is BF Goodrich or Pirelli. But I ain't got no truck...

Yeah, unfortunately at this moment I'm trying to go on the cheap. As for not having a truck, I remember a small book of life advice I read once with little snippets from a Dad to his son heading off to college. One of them was either "own a truck, or know a friend with a truck".

I've helped several friends move furniture. No biggie, it's just my turn. I required use of my friends trucks in the past when all I had was a car. Circle of life.

[VanHalener]

Just Drive On The Rims.

Exactly!

If you puss out on that just make sure the tires you buy are round, muthertrucker!

[sadaist]

Exactly!

If you puss out on that just make sure the tires you buy are round, muthertrucker!

HA! Maybe I'll just cut the floor board out & Fred Flintstone my way around town.

Speaking of weird tires, look at these oddballs.



New honeycomb tire is 'bulletproof' | Military Tech - CNET News

[SparkieD]

I have a 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 that is in need of new tires. When I purchased it, it had 31/10.50/15 tires on it. The recommended tire size is p235/75/15. Which do I get?

The 31's are just a cunt hair larger I think...and a few bucks more a piece. But will it really make any noticeable difference? Will the slightly smaller / recommended tires have a longer lifespan? Ride more smoothly? I mean, how much smaller are they?

Used to have 235/75/15's on our Durango and went with Goodyear Wrangler 31's a few years back. We do a lot of beach driving and like somewhat (but not too) aggressive tires. The 31's seem to last longer. Your ride definitely won't be smoother, but it isn't all that noticeable.

Go with the 31's.

[twonabomber]

I've heard the favorite for trucks is BF Goodrich or Pirelli.

i run 31 inch BFG All Terrains on my little Jeep and 33 inch BFG Mud Terrains on my truck. the muds are a bit louder than the AT's...the muds are a little better in the snow and a little worse in the rain. the little Jeep came with Goodyear Wranglers but they wore out real fast, i think BFG uses a harder compound. i did have a sidewall bubble on one of the Goodyears and haven't had an issue like that with any of the BFG's.

the metric equivalent of 31/10.5/15 probably isn't too far off of the size of the 235/75/15, if you check the manufacturers site they may have the actual size listed.