Upgrade My OEM SteelTex Tires to Michelin's?

[roegs]

I have a '03 2500HD coming in the next few weeks, and it will have the upgraded tires, which I believe are Firestone SteelTex LT245/75 R16. My last truck had Michelin LTX M/S tires, and they really improved the ride over the OEM General tires.

A local Michelin dealer is offering me $65 ea for my SteelTex tires to upgrade to Michelin LTX M/S tires. $65 is half the cost of the Michelins, so I'll be looking at a little over $300 to upgrade all 5 SteelTex's to Michelins. I'm tempted to do the upgrade, but then again, maybe the Steeltex tires are a good tire (I've never run them before). Any thoughts?

[Captain Mal]

Roegs,

Many guys hated their Steeltex tires. I liked mine and got around 50,000 miles each on two sets of them. I tow a lot and most of the time I am crossing the country with trailers and then returning solo. Tongue weights run from 700 to as much as 1,600 lbs but I do reduce that with sets of 500 and 1,000 lb. equalizer bars. There are two extra fuel tanks in the bed and lots of towing stuff that adds weight.

Some dealer gave me Michelin LTX's for $130 each so that is what I now have 25K on. They look and act real good but don't know if they are worth it. Now I no longer want to support France in any way so doubt I will get any more.

[FisHn2DMax]

TRADE!

I had the steelTex on my Ford SD and enough was enough. NOT a safe tire! I had one bubble on me!
When I ordered my 03 GMC, I ordered the LT 245's because the local tire dealer would offer me a good trade deal on the LT's. I Upgraded/traded to BF Goodrich. I also think the Mich's are excellent tires! I would highly suggest you go with 265's to fill up those wheel wheels and get the truck up off the ground another inch!!! FWIW, Firestone steelTex tires are being looked into by the NHTSA. It appears there is a failure trend developing with the SteelTex? I actually seen a 20/20 type news story on it, and looked it up under the NHTSA web site to view the reported failures. All the 100's of reported failures sound like mine where the tread starts to bubble and then eventually comes off. The SteelTex could be the next major Firestone recall, just like the Wilderness?

TRADE EM !!!!

:D

[ 02-16-2003: Message edited by: FisHn2DMax ]</p>

[TBC]

It seems most of us are not getting many miles out the Steeltex. I got 22,000 and have never had a LT tire get that few miles. I put Michelins on and really like the ride and handling. I also went to 265's and have had no problems.

Tom

[JimWilson]

A lot of people who had the Steeltex tires traded them for something a bit better, and in quite a number of cases they went to a larger size as well (myself included).

[TooMuchMuscle]

This site sounds like a Michelin commercial...lol. I have had SteelTex on my Sub, 8.1 and the Dmax and I love them. I average 40,000 miles per set and I have never had a problem with them. As for the French... I shouldnt go there. Towing or driving hard the SteelTex will last the longest.

[bobojay]

Our Steeltex wearing good at 25,000mi. No problems. I have rotated them every 5000mi. Wouldn't buy again though. Just don't like Firestone in general.

I also agree with the France thing..... :mad:

[zip]

Isn't Goodyear still in business?
zip

[MNBowTie]

ZIP,
Yep, website it still there at least. My experience with good year.....Good-for-a-year!.

Roegs,

I just put the Mich. LTX M/S on my wife

[Raptorrider2001]

My truck came with the Bridgestone Steeltex tires. The day I bought it, I had the dealer call a local tire company they use and see about trading them in before I drove off it off the lot. They said they would trade for $182 each. I then called them back and asked how much I could buy them for and they said $182 each. Tried 3 other places and they would not trade for them. A Bridgestone dealer finally offered me $75 each for some with more agressive tread pattern. The have a street tire looking tread and are very slick on wet pavement. I am still running them and have 18k on them and probably can get that much or more out of them. I will not buy another set of them. :(

[Raptorrider2001]

My truck came with the Bridgestone Steeltex tires. The day I bought it, I had the dealer call a local tire company they use and see about trading them in before I drove off it off the lot. They said they would trade for $182 each. I then called them back and asked how much I could buy them for and they said $182 each. Tried 3 other places and they would not trade for them. A Bridgestone dealer finally offered me $75 each for some with more agressive tread pattern. They have a street tire looking tread and are very slick on wet pavement. I am still running them and have 18k on them and probably can get that much or more out of them. I will not buy another set of them. :(

[PONCH]

I RREPLACED MINE AS SOON AS I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT ANS THE MOST THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET FOR THEM WAS $50 ea. I WOULD SAY THAT WAS A GOOD PRICE.
I LOVE MY MICHELINS. SEE BELOW.

SEE YA BYE

[jqqd]

The Michelins are great tires. I have always bought them. Buttttt no more. They are made by a French company. Since the French support terrorist I no longer purchase French goods. (or German either)

[502_Jimmy]

And to add a little more fuel to the fire with Michelin... They also own B.F. Goodrich. And to think, I really like their tires too. Now what are my options?

John