Tire Recommendations??
November 29th, 2012, 9:52 PM
#31
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Tire Tech Information - Tire Rotation Instructions
November 29th, 2012, 11:59 PM
#32
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Location: S.Dennis, MA.
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I replaced the stock tires on my Tahoe with Bridgestone Rugged Terrains. I can't remember what the stock tires were on my '12, but they were awful!
November 30th, 2012, 7:14 AM
#33
Super Moderator
Yes but, you brought forth a very good point.
Many don't understand that there is a vast difference between wet and dry traction and how one goes about getting either when designing/selecting tread patterns.
The UHP sorta fools you because of it's flat tread. But, it is just as unique as one of the heavy lugged mudders. The tread pattern's shape ejects water to the sides of the tire, rather than making a major contribution in creating a "Bow Wave" which is what causes hydroplaning. It gives you a great deal more flexibility in your speed and control, compared to other tread patterns, while still being able to operate well when dry.
Many don't understand that there is a vast difference between wet and dry traction and how one goes about getting either when designing/selecting tread patterns.
The UHP sorta fools you because of it's flat tread. But, it is just as unique as one of the heavy lugged mudders. The tread pattern's shape ejects water to the sides of the tire, rather than making a major contribution in creating a "Bow Wave" which is what causes hydroplaning. It gives you a great deal more flexibility in your speed and control, compared to other tread patterns, while still being able to operate well when dry.
Last edited by SWHouston; November 30th, 2012 at 4:51 PM.
December 2nd, 2012, 12:03 AM
#35
Super Moderator
Directional Wet Traction Tires
Ha, it's easy to get mixed up, talking about so many tires and statistics, but I've re-read this thread, and it would be real easy, from the way I've been pumping the General UHP's, one might think I work for General, or one of it's dealers. Neither is true. It just happens to be one of the better designed Wet Traction Tires I've seen lately.
There must be a couple hundred Tire Manufactures around the world, and quite a few of those in the U.S. I took a few minutes to drop by some of the Major's sites, and am giving some links below, on the Dedicated Tires they offer, for this very important area of concern.
General Grabber UHP*:<O
</O
General*Grabber UHP<O</O
Pirelli Winter Carving Edge:<O</O
WINTER CARVING<O</O
Goodyear Ultra Grip SUV*:<O</O
Ultra Grip SUV Tires | Goodyear Tires
Firestone Winterforce:<O</O
Winterforce: Firestone Tires<O</O
Bridgestone Blizzak:<O</O
Blizzak WS60 Winter Car and Minivan Tire | Bridgestone Tires
BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S:<O</O
g-Force Super Sport A/S | BFGoodrich Tires
<O</O
Please Note:
All of the above Tires are Directional and only function properly, when installed correctly on your Vehicle.
These Tread designs require the "I" method of Tire Rotation.
* = Outstanding Design
There must be a couple hundred Tire Manufactures around the world, and quite a few of those in the U.S. I took a few minutes to drop by some of the Major's sites, and am giving some links below, on the Dedicated Tires they offer, for this very important area of concern.
General Grabber UHP*:<O
</OGeneral*Grabber UHP<O
</OPirelli Winter Carving Edge:<O
</OWINTER CARVING<O
</OGoodyear Ultra Grip SUV*:<O
</OUltra Grip SUV Tires | Goodyear Tires
Firestone Winterforce:<O
</OWinterforce: Firestone Tires<O
</OBridgestone Blizzak:<O
</OBlizzak WS60 Winter Car and Minivan Tire | Bridgestone Tires
BFGoodrich g-Force Super Sport A/S:<O
</Og-Force Super Sport A/S | BFGoodrich Tires
<O
</OPlease Note:
All of the above Tires are Directional and only function properly, when installed correctly on your Vehicle.
These Tread designs require the "I" method of Tire Rotation.
* = Outstanding Design
December 24th, 2012, 8:01 PM
#36
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Followup to this thread, I did a good bit of shopping and was set on Cooper Discover H/T Plus, for $132 per tire from treaddepot.com plus installation, etc. Would have been about $780 installed. Ended up shopping local guys with those numbers, plus Discount Tire (new franchise here) and ended up getting the Michelin LTX M/S2 installed at $190 per tire - total was $970. I think the extra dough was well worth the tire (warranty and ride). I had General Grabber HTSs. I instantly noticed a huge difference in the ride quality, and think I will get the value out of the longevity of the tire based on my research. Also got a $100 mail in rebate, that made price difference much easier to swallow
January 4th, 2013, 5:50 PM
#37
Administrator
Replaced my originals today with another set of Bridgestone's Dueler H/L Alenza, I got 79,000 out of them with excellent wear and probably could have squeezed 80k but now that we are getting some rain I didn't want to risk hydroplaning. Got them from Discount Tires for $181 each. Headed straight over to Firestone for an alignment, the tech said she was still tight and only needed a minor adjustment for toe on the drivers side.
January 5th, 2013, 3:41 PM
#38
Super Moderator
But those Alenzas have a real good smooth quiet ride, and run cool as well, just right for the roads and climate around your hill country. Even though the tread pattern is slanted toward traction on Ice, the circumferential open grooves, are really efficient in letting you drive over water better than most. I think they were a wise choice.
You know there's three ways to deal with Hydroplaning...
1) Knock it out of the way.
Lower speeds and a Heavy Vehicle required.
2) Push the water out to the sides.
Requires dedicated/directional Tread Tires (not everyone's favorites)
3) Drive over it.
Several nice deep grooves running around the circumference does this.
