New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

[edshoc0]

So I bought my 2wd 2004 Suburban used a couple of years ago and it had brand new set Bridgestone Dueler H/T (the highway version, I think).

The good... I never slip in the snow and I have never spun a wheel at the boat ramp.

The bad... I feel like I have to constantly steer the truck. The alignment is perfect, my Chevy dealer says everything is tip-top. I tell them to do everything it needs each time it goes in for a 4000K mile oil change. I'm convinced it is the fact that I have truck tires.

I'm a large car guy at heart, but they don't make large wagons for towing any more so I landed in the SUV market. I would like to be closer to the highway steering feel of my 1994 Caprice that this Burban replaced.

Any suggestions on light-truck tires that would give a better handling/steering feel but still give me adequate performance on slippery ramps?

Keep in mind cost of tires is not a factor, it's 2-wheel drive, and I trailer my boat (about 25 launches per year). Boat is a 2004 Bayliner 185BR with a V6 Merc (about 3300 lbs).

 

[etracer68]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

I bought my 1999 Suburban 4WD new in 1998, it had BFGOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL TA's on it when I got it new, and I have been putting the same tires on. There great tires, and run about $135 mounted and balanced. I have known other people that have put on bigger lugged tires, and they complain about pulling all the time. I get about 55000 miles out of a set. On my third set now, and wouldnt think of any other tire.

 

[etracer68]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

I have pulled a 1987 21.5 Bayliner all over with it too, and its a 1/2 ton.

 

[99yam40]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

I would be talking to someone that does front end work and alignments.There are tweaks that can be done while staying in spec to make the vehicle steer to your liking. Just because it is in spec does not mean it is perfect.

 

[robert graham]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

I tow with a a 1996 Buick Roadmaster, mostly like your Caprice, and I run Michelin LTX tires and very happy with them. They cost a few bucks more but towing the boat 500 miles to Florida in the summer heat, I just have more confidence in them, and they do seem to wear very well, and smooth riding. If your steering tends to wander or is not real sharp, then maybe check that steering idler arm which can wear out and cause this. Good Luck!

 

[dingbat]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

I have a 2001 4WD Burb. I?ve run Michelin Cross Terrains P265/70R16 on it since the OEM tires where replaced at 30K miles. Replaced the first pair of Michelin at 100K and have 30K on the second set.

The CT is a very quite tire. No road noise at all and the ride quality and traction is second to none. The down side is that they are @ $160 ea.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

You should be able to let go of wheel, and go down the road fairly straight, for awhile. Unless the roads you drive are crownd to the BE Jesus.
Dealerships are not always the best place to diagnose such problems.
Take Them for a test.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

Could be steering box slop which wouldn't always show up in an alignment check. I'd get that looked at. You don't tell us how many miles are on your 'Burb. If it's a bit of a high miler, that may be something to look at.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

The bad... I feel like I have to constantly steer the truck. The alignment is perfect, my Chevy dealer says everything is tip-top.

You have the original wheels or aftermarket?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

dockwrecker made an intrestesting point
.2003/2004 1/2 tons burbs/silverados had problems with there steering box.
Do some homework on the web.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

I just put my second set of Michelin LTX m/s on my 2004 suburban. They are fantastic tires. The first set I got 70K of even wear. Never had a prblem in any condition. The OEM were the BS HT's. I really thought those sucked. Especially after I put the michelins on. It rode so much better and quieter.

 

[roscoe]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

those bridg duel ht tires are terrible. hated them replaced them w/ only 10,000 miles on them


I like the bfgoodrich on my trailblazer

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

The Dueler H/T's that I had were P rated tires. Not the best for towing, but rode nice otherwise. I would also check to make sure you have the right size tire. If someone has put a taller tire on, the extra sidewall can cause some sway. I don't know if they still made them that way in 04 but I remember Suburbans and Blazers being great for not spinning out. They usually had 40 gal fuel tanks set farther to the rear. That's a lot of extra weight when you need it, but you need the tires to support it (and a tow load) when driving.

 

[j_martin]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

Coupla points probably already made.

1. Steering sector binding or play won't show up in alignment specs.

2. The bigger the tires, the touchier the alignment. I've seen a factory f150 in "perfect" alignment be so bad it was downright dangerous. I've also seen an alignment shop that knew what they were doing make it handle perfectly for 27 bucks after the dealership spend over a thousand on it to no avail.

If you lived near here, I'd tell you where to take it.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

...Michelin LTX tires...

My dad had a set on a 97 Suburban 2500 4X4 and LOVED them. He does live in Florida, so they never saw snow, but they handled lots of rain, slippery ramps, and high heat well. And the wore GREAT!

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

+1 Michelin LTX...you wont be disappointed. Aside from my personal experience, I have several family, friends, and co-workers that have overwhelmingly positive reviews of them as well.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

A set of the LTX's will set you back about $900 for that suburban. That's what I paid for mine a month or so ago..

 

[jacobcnc]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

i would talk to your alingment shop they can put a little more caster in it that will make it drive more like a car you will lose a little return to center but it will not effect tire wear i lifted my truck and it took out most of my caster so now it drives like a shopping cart but I love the firestone transforce tires got 10000 miles on them and they still look like new

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: New tire suggestions for 2004 Chevy Suburban

I have been so pleased with my Coopers, that I will be buying a third set of them in a couple of months, they have held up fantastically and my road is NOT easy on tires, 7 miles one way of very poorly maintained gravel..typical Montana back country road..