Tires for 25 HC with 24" wheels

[nomech]

I am not impressed with the factory tires on the 25 HC in the rain or in the snow. This isn't a surprise, this was a topic that came up, many time, during my initial search before buying this vehicle.

I had a set of Michelin CrossClimate2's on my 2020 Tahoe, but did not have a chance to put any storm (rain) or winter miles on those tires because of selling the vehicle before the winter months. Also, the tires were installed just after the storm months were I would have encountered a lot of rainy days. The only thing I noticed with the CrossClimate2's was that they seemed to be a bit wider and when I cut the wheel fully to the left or right you would hear a slight rubbing noise, but that was only really done when moving slowly so it wasn't a huge concern.

I don't know which tire to upgrade to on my 25 HC. I'm not sure if I want a dedicated winter/snow tire that requires new wheels to be purchased. I know that a dedicated snow tire will wear out faster in conditions that the tire is not meant for.

Should I go back to the CrossClimate2's (or whichever newer version exists) or try something else? I see that Michelin Defenders are talked about a lot, as well.

Before submitting this post, I tried to find the Michelin Defenders but when searching for 24" Discount Tire doesn't give me the Defenders as an option. Initially I had selected 22" and Defender was an option, so it seems at 24" they don't offer it (at least DT tire doesn't), but I'm just using that site for my initial search, I'm not tied to DT in any way. I don't see any 24" options for Michelin on the DT site.

This is what DT recommends for 24"

Discount Tire | Tires and Wheels for Sale | Online & In-Person

www.discounttire.com

However, I did another search w/o putting in the 2025 Tahoe, I just search by tire size and DT shows the Bridgestone Alenza a/s 02 as the BEST option and the Toyo Proxes stiii as a BETTER option. I'm not sure how the Alenza is rated so high if everyone on here complains about them. Even with minimal water on the road, I wasn't a fan of the Alenza tires.

 

[nomech]

I checked out Belle Tire, they don't have any results because the tire size is 'custom' and the site had a message to call a local BT shop to speak with a rep and they could order any size needed.

I checked Tire Rack and they do have a Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 size 285/40/24. Tire Rack also offers the Toyo Proxes ST iii.

Also, Tire Rack seems to have better rating than Discount Tire. When I arrange the tire rankings by user rating, the Bridgestone Alenza drops to the last spot. The Michelin Defender LTX is in the top spot.

Tire Rack

 

[nomech]

@Joseph Garcia Are you saying +1 to the Defenders?

 

[Tinman265]

If the Michelin Defenders Are available in the size I need that's all I use. Excellent tire

 

[Joseph Garcia]

@Joseph Garcia Are you saying +1 to the Defenders?

If they are available in the size that you are looking for, i would say go for it.

 

[jerry455]

I have the Cross Climate 2's on my 21 Suburban and love them. I am on my second winter with them. They did not make the exact size for my truck, 275 50 22 but they had the 285 45 22 so I used that. 24" tires are a lot less common so you might have to look more and they might not be in all of the familiar tires lines yet. Not sure why the manufacturers are going to such large wheels, I didn't originally want the 22" ones on my Suburban but it rides amazing.

 

[nomech]

I have the Cross Climate 2's on my 21 Suburban and love them. I am on my second winter with them. They did not make the exact size for my truck, 275 50 22 but they had the 285 45 22 so I used that. 24" tires are a lot less common so you might have to look more and they might not be in all of the familiar tires lines yet. Not sure why the manufacturers are going to such large wheels, I didn't originally want the 22" ones on my Suburban but it rides amazing.

I've never had a vehicle with 24" tires, but it seems that because they aren't as common (in the size I have) there aren't many options. I'd like to stick with the same size that I have, now, and it seems like the defenders are a good choice. I'm not in a hurry to change out the tires, I'll likely use these until they need to be changed, but I like doing my research so I'm starting now. Things also change over time, so I like to know what's out there even though I'm not ready to buy, just yet.

I can't tell the difference in ride quality between the 22's I had on my 2020 Tahoe vs the 24's I have on the 2025 Tahoe. My 2025 does have air ride, which could help with the 24's, but not sure by how much.

I think a larger wheel looks better (comparing 22 to 24). Less rim and more tire doesn't look a great. I'm sure it feels much better when driving, no debate there, but it really comes down to personal preference. Of course there is a limit, too.

That being said, I also liked the style of the 24" wheel better than the 22" options. If I could get the current 24" style in a 22" I would have likely gone with that.

 

[tooleyondeck]

It's funny how we used to catch grief for putting aftermarket 22-24" wheels on rigs back in the 2000s and now they almost all come with them.. OEM caught up to culture.

Does the air ride on your 25 allow you to drive full speed in the highest setting? If so, that opens more options, but I believe a 33" tire should fit with stock suspension, have you considered leveling it up front to allow you to run a bigger tire?

 

[nomech]

It's funny how we used to catch grief for putting aftermarket 22-24" wheels on rigs back in the 2000s and now they almost all come with them.. OEM caught up to culture.

Does the air ride on your 25 allow you to drive full speed in the highest setting? If so, that opens more options, but I believe a 33" tire should fit with stock suspension, have you considered leveling it up front to allow you to run a bigger tire?

I believe the highest setting is limited in how fast you can go, but I've never had it at the highest setting other than testing it out while parked. I prefer a lower stance for driving, actually, but the vehicle won't sit at the entry/exit height once you get over 9 mph or somewhere around there. I have no plans on modifying anything to accommodate larger wheels and or tires.

 

[tooleyondeck]

If you're not planning on modifying the suspension or getting a smaller wheel, then there isn't much you can do to "upgrade" your 285/40R24 tires unless you run more sidewall (a 45 would put you at 34.1" diameter). I'd go with the OEM size Defenders and call it a day.

 

[nomech]

If you're not planning on modifying the suspension or getting a smaller wheel, then there isn't much you can do to "upgrade" your 285/40R24 tires unless you run more sidewall (a 45 would put you at 34.1" diameter). I'd go with the OEM size Defenders and call it a day.

Upgrade in terms of quality of tire/performance of tire (rain and snow) since the stock Bridgestones are not great.

 

[Stbentoak]

That horse has been beaten a few times. The only other tires available for twenty fours right now happen to be Michelin defenders. They also are about 80 bucks a piece cheaper than the OEM tire on Tire Rack.com. I'm not rotating or helping my Alenza's out at all. I want them to wear out as quickly as possible so I can switch to defenders or maybe Pirellis if they are available at that time, which will be about another 18 months.
If you want to switch right away, defenders are your only choice and In the big world, they are probably one of the best choices.

 

[nomech]

That horse has been beaten a few times. The only other tires available for twenty fours right now happen to be Michelin defenders. They also are about 80 bucks a piece cheaper than the OEM tire on Tire Rack.com. I'm not rotating or helping my Alenza's out at all. I want them to wear out as quickly as possible so I can switch to defenders or maybe Pirellis if they are available at that time, which will be about another 18 months.
If you want to switch right away, defenders are your only choice and In the big world, they are probably one of the best choices.

Why do you say they are my only choice, just curious how you go there? I posted another 24" that fits (there seem to be several more options) but, yes, they seem to be limited in the 24" range.

 

[Stbentoak]

Well, there are about six to eight other choices out there. But they are completely undependable Junk Chinese knockoffs. The kind that used car lots put on vehicles when they are trying to flip them and say they have new tires.
That I can tell.....There are only about three real choices out there.. Toyos. Michelin defenders. And Alenza's OEM. I'd say within two years, about the time I'm ready for replacing these OEM ones, there should be at least another 2 or 3 viable quality choices.

 

[ducfan]

Found them at TireRack:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/Tire...peedRating=S&minLoadRating=XL&performance=ALL