I have a 2001 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, V6, 115K miles, in almost new condition, but for the past 6 years rarely driven (couple hundred miles a year). After almost 115K miles traveling in the truck, we quit driving it and bought a new more comfortable SUV due primarily to back problems (particularly my wife’s). The SUV is great for travel and daily use, but I’ve kept the truck maintained and want to start using it again, mostly for fishing, much of which will be in the North GA and NC mountains, normally alone. I know a lot of members have trucks and from past posts many seem to know a lot about tires. For the reasons below, I’m looking for new tires and I hope to get some of your experience based suggestions instead of starting at a dealer who may have an interest in promoting their favorite or highest profit brand of the month.
My current tires are General Grabber AWs, P255 65R16 (same as original equipment) with good tread (46,000 left on 70,000 mile tires), but are over 12 years old. I have read that, after 10 years or so, tire reliability becomes questionable regardless of tread wear due to potentially unseen deterioration in the materials and sidewalls. I’m very concerned about their reliability, particularly in some of the semi-remote places where I will likely be driving. I’m 70, and perhaps overly cautious, but changing a tire on a narrow road in the mountains (or anywhere else) alone is not something I want to be doing, so I plan to replace them.
Since I’m planning to buy new tires anyway, I would also like to improve the ride a little if possible. The truck weighs about 3,900 lbs. and never hauls or tows anything (we use the SUV), so additional weight compensation isn’t an issue, nor is sustained high-speed or off-road driving. With the SUV, the truck will likely never get used more than a couple thousand miles a year. My wife won’t normally be with me in the truck and since my back problems are not as bothersome as hers, the ride is less of an issue now than it once was, but a little improvement in ride would still be nice if I can get it.
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted anyone reading it to know the way the truck is used which can affect the tires chosen. I haven’t bought tires in a long time (12 years) and there are brands now I’ve never heard of, so I think I need some trusted opinions, which is why I’m posting here. Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance….
My current tires are General Grabber AWs, P255 65R16 (same as original equipment) with good tread (46,000 left on 70,000 mile tires), but are over 12 years old. I have read that, after 10 years or so, tire reliability becomes questionable regardless of tread wear due to potentially unseen deterioration in the materials and sidewalls. I’m very concerned about their reliability, particularly in some of the semi-remote places where I will likely be driving. I’m 70, and perhaps overly cautious, but changing a tire on a narrow road in the mountains (or anywhere else) alone is not something I want to be doing, so I plan to replace them.
Since I’m planning to buy new tires anyway, I would also like to improve the ride a little if possible. The truck weighs about 3,900 lbs. and never hauls or tows anything (we use the SUV), so additional weight compensation isn’t an issue, nor is sustained high-speed or off-road driving. With the SUV, the truck will likely never get used more than a couple thousand miles a year. My wife won’t normally be with me in the truck and since my back problems are not as bothersome as hers, the ride is less of an issue now than it once was, but a little improvement in ride would still be nice if I can get it.
Sorry this is so long, but I wanted anyone reading it to know the way the truck is used which can affect the tires chosen. I haven’t bought tires in a long time (12 years) and there are brands now I’ve never heard of, so I think I need some trusted opinions, which is why I’m posting here. Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance….
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