I have a 1999 Dodge Ram Conversion Van and I need to replace 4 tires (it won't pass inspection without). Any recommendations for something economical? Any opinions new vs. used?

The tire size is 235 75 15 and I need a 6 ply. Thinking about getting LTs because I haul around some music equipment. FYI, mostly highway miles.

Any help would be wonderful. Thanks!

 

I wouldn't recommend buying used tires. The only exception would be if you know how to read the date codes located on the tire sidewalls (Google for information on this) in order to verify the age of the tires you are considering.

Should you decide to learn how to read the manufacturing dates I guess anything 5 years old or newer in excellent condition would be OK. Just watch out for dry rot, and check the inside of the tires for plugs and/or patches.

A very good new tire would be the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A which is a load range "E." You are not going to find cheap prices on LT tires unless you happen to find a shop that is blowing them out for some reason.

 

He's up against the wall looking for Load-E tires in his wheel size. XL tires are the best for his 15-inch rims. As for the XL, he can choose either the Hankook Optimo H727 or the BFGoodrich Long Trail T/A Tour. Both can manage 50psi. The max load per each is around 2,100-lbs.

For his 235/75-15's in Load-D, (better than XL) Pirelli Scorpion ATR can manage 65psi, 2335 max load per tire with an amazing 15/32 tread depth. Problem is, these tires are not cheap. They are the best in the LT/XL range without the AT tread noise and low MPG issues.

When he hits the LT 235/75-15 he runs up against the off-roading tires since LT grade runs in a Load-C and have noisy All-Terrain tread patterns that at 60mph or higher his head would pound. This is where the BFGoodrich Comercial T/A LT235/75-15C sits for this tire size. It's whimy and noisy. The LT has less load range than the XLs.

 

Passenger/XL tires must be derated in tall top heavy applications, like truck and Vans, and once derated, the numbers are nearly identical as to carrying capacity as LT tires

Source:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=70

I've got some new Kumho SAT kl 61 in 30x9.5x15 All terrain tires

Can't say they are really noisy till I hit about 85 mph, and then the wind noise is nearly just as bad. At 65 mph they are not loud at all, yet.

Not all LT tires have aggressive, loud treads. Michelin LTX m/s are available in LT 235 75 15. Their LTX MS2 in the same size does not come in LT on a 15 inch rim.
There are occassionally very good used tire deals. 235 75 15 is a pretty popular size, and many people unload these with plenty of tread left cause they want a beefier tire on their ford explorers or rangers or Dakotas.

Many years ago I picked up a spare tire that was 6 months old and still had the little nubs left from the mold on it. There was 3 more sitting there. 25 dollars.

Still have it, but it is too old now, and a different size than all my others

 

Do you have direct experience with either of these two tires? If you read the tire website reviews on the H727 they will make you think these Hankook tires are infused with gold. I was thinking of giving Hankook a try but I am still wary of driving a truck on Chinese tires.

Chinese tires are for wheelbarrows & lawn mowers, aren't they?

As for the BFG Commercial T/A tires I recommended earlier there does indeed need to be a clarification -- for the 15" rim size it is definitely an XL tire; the T/A All-Season model.

 

I had the yokohamas. They were good for the first 3-6 moths. Then they really underperformed and the tread life went fast.

A stronger load tire will help with MPG and the weight. The H727 has a very high UTQG ratings of 700, load max around 2,100 and inflates to 50psi for the price. I agree china tires may not be the way to go.

Yes, I favor these three for the 15-inch rims; the Michelin LTX m/s, the BFGoodrich Long Trail T/A Tour and the best being Pirelli Scorpion AT.