[Bluedeacon]

Has anyone tried the newer highway all seasons after using all terrains? I may need to buy new. I have had all terrains (Coopers and BF Goodrich KO2) on my big trucks. I had Kumho on my Blazer - wore quickly and honestly not that good of traction for all terrains. While I had a sport truck tire on the Dakota 2wd, on gravel, snow, ice, and grass (camper) here in Iowa, it got along almost as well as the Silverado with the KO2s in 2wd. I hear that the all seasons are supposed to be quieter smoother and better mileage and considering I don't go truly off road and we don't get feet deep snow, I wonder if they might be a worthy alternative, or just stick to all terrains?

 

[Bluedeacon]

Sorry about the delay, had a surprisingly busy week this week. Thanks for the inputs. If I ever get the mileage to recover (right now 8-10 city, 10-14 highway, worse than even my 350 k15 Suburban) I might want more aggressive tread to off-road in western states, but here in Iowa other than the occasional crappy county park road, even with campgrounds it's all paved or fairly packed gravel roads (except spring thaw lol). We rarely even see 8" of snow nowadays here, usually 4" or less. So I don't -need- all terrain, tho they can be nice.

I'm not so concerned with looks as I am performance - reasonable traction year round, even wear and resistance to road hazards, being quiet and better mileage would be a nice perk (wife's car is a '17 Impala, very quiet and V8 ish till you stomp on it and the 4 cylinder noise comes through). I've had expensive tires that were a let down and economy/midrange that performed fairly well, and it's nice to know what options there are.

Coopers have been okay, nothing special, Kumhos handled well with okay traction but wear quickly. Every Goodyear or Kelly I've had has worn the shoulders rapidly or the tread and sidewall separated. Firestones - cheap set wore in record time and were squirmy, the Firehawks on the Imp got mediocre traction and good handling but were very loud while the Contitracs that replaced them get great traction and are quiet, smooth, road hugging - but for trucks? I'm not sure what off brand sport truck tire my Dakota had, but with 2wd it could get through snow better than the Firehawks. The Generals I've had are kinda middle of the road on all counts but lasted well, and I had an economy truck tire version on my 2wd extended cab '92 S-10, it still made it home through a 12" wet snowstorm, suppose that's good enough lol.

But now that we have money enough to be picky I might as well spend for something good as we drive this truck far more that any of the previous ones . I had heard the highways had much improved, and if they are capable enough may be a better choice for us.

 

[Bluedeacon]

Boring? Well my 09 already looks that, all stock and a color matched topper. I hear them called a grandpa topper but I really like having one - I can always take it off if needed, but a weather tight one has its perks, particularly camping solo. Less likely to get stolen if it's boring?

 

[Bluedeacon]

Yeah I know, and have camped a number of times under one when I traveled alone and didn't want to drag the camper along. I have heard them called grandpa toppers as supposedly modern people prefer truxedo or the like... call me old fashioned, I still like my toppers 😜.

 

[Bluedeacon]

@ SierraHarley - I'd call it a step side but they call 'em flareside now. Dad started with a '65 c10 step side in light metallic blue with the spare tire on the outside right behind the driver's side of the cab. Brought it back to life to trade for a '69 SS ElCamino with the 425hp Team USA 396, which is also a half ton (as well as a hot rod) and crucially back then was not considered a "truck" by iowa so you didn't have to pay extra for plates. Extra perk: hidden boot behind driver's front seat large enough for 3 12 packs, hidden from view, perfect for friends going to the drive in on a summer evening 😎.

I also remember the Texsuns (I believe that's the brand) that slid in, looked like a topper, but had a door, and a dinette that converted to a bed, as well as jalousied windows being the norm on toppers. But the 20 somethings like to razz me about the topper, most of them wouldn't dream of one. Don't know what they are missing!