bobndot
USA
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Joined: 08/21/2007
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I found the following info because I have run Coopers on 5 of my vehicles.
I did my best to research it.
I think the truck tires are now made in USA again .
Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. China (since 1958) had produced about 300,000/year in a 2003 deal. They experienced tread separation which resulted in deaths in the U.S.
"* In 2003, Zhongce sealed a deal with U.S. manufacturer Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. to make 250,000-350,000 radial medium-truck tires a year. That deal ended in 2007".
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tatest
Oklahoma Green Country
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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I replaced my OEM Michelin LTS MS tires at about 30,000 miles, five years age, because of sidewall cracking. I replaced them with Michelin XPS Rib (not an all season tire) to get the heaviest-duty tire in that size and rating. Those cost me about $270 each almost 10 years ago, have not priced them lately. They are somewhat noisier than the OEM, ringing on expansion joints, and more tread noise on grooved or roughened concrete surfaces.
Earlier this month I replaced the OEM Michelin LTS MS2 tires on my E-350 van (same size and load rating) at 54,000 miles, six years of age, because the rear tires were getting down to the wear bars on center ribs (front still had about 1/3 tread left). Replacement was Bridgestone Dueler H/T (Bridgestone also makes/sells a similar Firestone Transforce HT2) which I got for about $140 each after Spring Tire Sale discount and trade-in allowance on the two still useful tires). I really liked the LTS MS2 tires, but Michelin has replaced them with a different model. I turns out I like the Bridgestones even better, much less tread noise on most highway surfaces. Can't say much about traction yet, I've just started to break the in, running a few hundred miles to scuff parting compounds off the tread.
There are a lot of other options, including Goodyear's Wrangler H/T, commercial grade tires from Goodyear and Bridgestone (market equivalent of Michelin XPS and just as expensive), lower cost tires from Michelin's BFG brand (Commercial T/A, I think), and many other brands, including obscure imports. This is a popular tire size for medium-duty trailers and local and regional deliver trucks, and some agricultural equipment. This means a wide range of options, differing compromises of cost vs performance needs.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
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Ponderosa
Western US
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Joined: 06/24/2003
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Just replaced the Michelins that were replaced on the recall several years ago. One of those replacements had a tread separation that I caught and the rest flatspotted and would not recover. They also showed the Michelin weather checking. So I am not that sold on Michelins. Anyway, I got Nexen Roadian CT8 tires that cost way less and have a much higher load rating with only 3 psi more. Got 'em at Discount. They run quiet, smooth and so far no issues.
2015 Thor Windsport 32N
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