Trail Guide Tires/Mastercraft AXT

[Collinst15]

Hello Everyone,

 

I was wondering if anyone has any experience using Trail Guide A/T or Mastercraft AXT tires.  Looking for new tires for truck.  

 

Thanks,

 

Tim

[Mopar1973Man]

I'm currently running Hankook ATm tires 235/85 R16 on the Cummins. I got roughly 60k miles on the last batch of tires with mostly highway miles. 

 

As for the two you've listed I've not had any experience with them at all. 

[Collinst15]

I have read good things about the ATMs just not in budget.   Tire size is a 285/76/16 if that makes a difference. 

 

Tim

[Mopar1973Man]

1 hour ago, Collinst15 said:

Tire size is a 285/76/16 if that makes a difference.

 

 

I would suggest going back to stock size or smaller. 338k miles on the factory OEM tierod ends, 185k miles on ball joints, steering box 340k miles still could of reused it but I damaged the cap threads. Like I just got a bid for my 1996 Dodge and be getting 245/75 R16 for around $600. My last batch of Hankook ATm 235/85 R16 I paid around $700 for the set. So big tire look cool but do more damage to the front suspension and steering and tires cost much more.

[Collinst15]

Would going to a 265/75 load range E be better?  Truck sits pretty high in rear die to 3500 series leaf pack.

 

Tim Collins 

[dripley]

That is one of the 2 stock sizes that came on them. It is what i run in a Cooper ATP from discount tire. 245 is the other stock size. Load range E definitely.

[Collinst15]

Thank you. I will look into 265s

[Mopar1973Man]

235/85 R16 and 265/75 R16 are the same size 31 inch tires. 

 

245/75 R16 is a bit smaller it will be 26 rev/mile more than 235's. Plus it will increase the final gear ratio to around 3.73 at the ground. This makes the truck quicker and reduces EGT's and mild increase to MPG. 

[Dieselfuture]

I'm running 285/70/17 my next set will probably be 265 

[Mopar1973Man]

Going to 285's is pushing the gear ratio lower to 3.44 from 3.55. This adds more torque trapping to the transmission and EGT's temperatures. Just showing the effect of 1mm change of tire height 235's is 1 mm taller than 265's tire that changes the 3.55 gears to 3.54 gears. Changing to the other stock (labeled tire) 245/75 R16 with push the ratio up to 3.69. Small tire changes can make a big change in the final gear ratio. 

[Collinst15]

Thanks for the explanation.  I am looking into 265s but will be traveling a lot this year with truck.  Big trip this summer from NY to KY to WI to NY so want a good tire that will not wear super fast.  Id be okay with going with a 245 but truck sits so high in rear it would look goofy with a 30 inch tire so i think 265s or 285s are it unless I go to a bigger rim size. 

 

Thanks,

 

Tim

[Dieselfuture]

I seem to have best luck with Michelins for longevity but the are more hwy tire

[Mopar1973Man]

23 hours ago, Collinst15 said:

Thanks for the explanation.  I am looking into 265s but will be traveling a lot this year with truck.  Big trip this summer from NY to KY to WI to NY so want a good tire that will not wear super fast.  Id be okay with going with a 245 but truck sits so high in rear it would look goofy with a 30 inch tire so i think 265s or 285s are it unless I go to a bigger rim size. 

 

Thanks,

 

Tim

 

 

That's a 235/85 R16... Same only 1mm taller than the 265 but 1.1 inches narrower. 245/75 R16 is a 1 inch shorter where the 285 is 1 inch taller.

[GSP7]

Older older model steel rims on your 2002 ?

[Mopar1973Man]

Yes Sir. I lost my factory 16x8 aluminum wheels which cracked. Then the other set of modular aluminum wheels I had the offset kept slinging road salt and mud on the side windows. Got tired of that... The Factory 16x7 steel wheel fit the 235/85 R16 properly and tucked the wheel back under the fender where they belong.

 

Remember I'm rolling 60k miles a year...

Edited April 27, 2018 by Mopar1973Man

[GSP7]

Seeing you running 235/85 R16s (31 inch tall) got me thinking

 

The original owner of my truck put the Alcoa style /Eagle alloys (that I like) on my truck that I am still running,

 

Couple spare rims and tires guy I bought my truck gave me that were sitting next to his garage

My question is does this rim look like factory dodge truck rims that might of came with my truck

(check out the vintage Armstrong TrueTrac at the right)

 

My spare tire rim on my truck when I got it has slots

 

 

 

 

Edited April 29, 2018 by GSP7

[dripley]

Mine factory spare looks like your second picture except the holes in mine are ovals. Same number of holes and it is black.

[Collinst15]

After a lot of searching and review reading I am going to go with Hancook Dynapro ATMs.  

 

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

Tim