I have a set of Cooper Discoverer ATR 31x10.5R15LT tires on my 1987 4WD Pickup and I've never been so terrified driving in the rain as I am with these tires. They seem to have plenty of tread left....just very slick.

I've done a few 180's in wet intersections when going just a little too fast. I don't want to wreck my ride.

I know putting some weight in the bed helps but can anyone recommenced some better tires for on-road traction....especially in rain and snow?

Thanks!

 

How old are they? if they are quite old they wont grip worth a poo cause the rubbers dried out.

As for what tires to run, I ran some bridgestone duelers for eons and never had any issues.

 

Looks like the tires are from early 2006. How old is too old?

 

Yup the duelers are a wonderful all season tire and I have heard good things about the Goodyear duratracs, I have some bfg km2's and I love them but they are far from an all season tire, I just need to make it to Starbucks to get my latte that costs a latte these trucks are naturally squirrelly due to the bed weight anyway.

Not sure on the age though?

 

I've had good luck with the BF Goodrich All Terrain A/T's. They work well in snow and rain, are quiet on the pavement, and are decent offroad as well, except in deep mud.

 

tires tend to start dry rotting around 3 years old unless they are really taken care of. any older than like 4 years and id get a new set.

 

Yep too old.

 

I'm extremely happy w/ the Michelin LTX A/T2. According to reviews, they have better traction on wet than the Michelin M&S tires. Which makes sense when you realize the LTXs have way better water evacuation channels.

Here's some posts:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f31/...l#post52117129

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f177...l#post52075300

Also, make sure your shocks and anti-sway bars are in good shape too. Those exacerbate fishtailing/rear traction issues...

When I got my truck it had 2001 production Michelin LTX AT tires on it (PO purchased the tires in 2005, so he got gipped, but...). Plenty of tread left, but that rubber was rock hard... Ran it in 4wd drive anytime the roads were wet for a couple months until I got around to replacing them...

Also, it's important to bear in mind that BFG's are the Tier 2 product of the Michelin brand in the US. Less so for mud tires I think, but generally speaking, the Michelins are top of the line full current tech, while the BFGs are intended for market segments not competing w/ the flagship brand...

 

Duratracs are an awesome tire all around. Probably dont need to go even that aggressive if its only for street.

Right now im rocking falken rocky mountains also a good tire.

Nothing i have driven has beat my duratracs in the snow though. I even used them for wheeling and really liked them in woods as well.

 

Ten years max is what tire manufacturers recommend nowadays I think.

I put 303 aerospace protectorant on my sidewalls twice a year however (helps w/ UV siderot) but doesn't do much for rubber hardening that contacts the road surface.

Six years is what used to be recommended. Obviously tire and chemical technology has increased a lot in the past decade, so lean towards replacing.

Also, check the birthdate on your tires when you buy them, even sears was selling 12 year old tires according to a 20/20 Investigation: http://www.wisebread.com/are-your-ne...ing-time-bombs

How to check tire ages from the DOT stamp:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
And this is Discount Tire's blurb on tire age: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireLife.dos

The Michelin's I'm running were only 3 months old when I got them from Costco -- and Costco's doing the $70 off 4 Michelin tires deal again right now too.

For tire reviews, I like
-Consumer Reports (free version of summary findings: http://www.rubbernews.com/article/20...ports-listings)
-Tire Rack (can easily click through their ratings system when comparing tires)
-fourwheeler Mag (use a google search, "site:fourwheeler.com tire name")
-Tire manufacturer's website (it's interesting to see the tech they're selling and what various features are supposed to do, and how it is the're marketing the tire...).

 

Whatever you have, or whatever you buy to replace them, having them professionally siped will give you better traction on wet/slippery surfaces. You can also sipe them yourself, if you know what you're doing. A bit of homework may be required first.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...reSiping.shtml

 

I'm very happy with my BFG ATs. I bought them last spring, and have about 7k miles on them. Recently got to try them out on I5 between Seattle and Tacoma in heavy rain. Never felt any issues. Only time I was really able to lose traction was on purpose. However, I have a pretty heavy canopy on my truck so that probably helps.