Tires that don’t suck

[Illnasty]

Hey all,

the stock tires on my 2016 Denali are done. I have the 22 inch wheels so it’s been a rough ride since day one. Any suggestions or recommendations for tires that could produce a better ride? I know I’m limited due to the rim size but just want something better than stock.

thanks

 

[George B]

Many here love the Micheline Defender in this size. I have cooper AT3 4S on mine but they are extra load so they ride a bit harsher than the Bridgestone tires they replaced.

 

[homesick]

This is likely not what you're after but, in general, that's the price you pay for 'style'. These current large diameter wheels [your 22s] make trucks ride rougher than older, smaller sizes [my 16s].

Tire sidewalls act as shocks, and I have more sidewall than you do.

Any differences in tire construction would sit on that wheel size foundation.

joe

 

[Joseph Garcia]

It depends on what surfaces you mostly drive on and your budget. If most of your driving is on paved surfaces, I highly recommend Michelin Defenders, as stated above. They are pricey, but you will get very long mileage with them, they ride quietly and hold the road surface well, and they work well in the NH winters.

I run 305/50x20 Michelin Defender tires on my 07 Yukon XL Denali with no rubbing.

Regarding wheel/tire combinations that will fit your truck without rubbing, no 2 trucks and their suspensions are exactly alike, due to a number of factors including accumulated wear on the suspension components, so there is no guarantee that what fits with no rubbing on one truck will automatically fit with no rubbing on your truck. Other folks' experiences can guide you in one direction or another, but the final test will be when you mount the wheel/tire combination on your own truck.

To assist you in getting a good idea on whether or not specific alternate wheel/tire combinations 'may' fit your truck with no rubbing, I recommend that you use the wheel/tire comparison app at the URL listed below. You can use this app starting with your existing wheel/tire combination as a benchmark, assuming that there are currently no rubbing issues with it, and measure the actual critical fender and suspension component clearances as directed by this app. Then, you can enter alternate wheel/tire combinations, and this app will give you the projected changes in these critical fender and suspension component clearances.

https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/

I used this app for determining whether on not I could use my current alternate wheel/tire combination, and it accurately projected the changes in critical clearances. Again, the use of this app in not an absolute guarantee that an alternate wheel/tire combination will fit without rubbing, but it provides a much better assessment, or projection, than simply an educated guess on your part, or a statement from others that it worked on a truck other than yours.

 

[hcvone]

I have Michelin Premier LTX stock size 285/45/22 on Forgeline wheels, these tires are softer than the Defender's, but my truck is lowered and a callaway, so I wanted a good handling and traction tire and I am willing to give up tire life, and could not be more pleased

 

[swathdiver]

Hey all,

the stock tires on my 2016 Denali are done. I have the 22 inch wheels so it’s been a rough ride since day one. Any suggestions or recommendations for tires that could produce a better ride? I know I’m limited due to the rim size but just want something better than stock.

thanks

Defenders, go to 20s for an even better ride, or 18s!

 

[Tahoe14]

Check the reviews on Tirerack and all the tires that are available in your size.

 

[Illnasty]

This is likely not what you're after but, in general, that's the price you pay for 'style'. These current large diameter wheels [your 22s] make trucks ride rougher than older, smaller sizes [my 16s].


Tire sidewalls act as shocks, and I have more sidewall than you do.

Any differences in tire construction would sit on that wheel size foundation.

joe

yep, totally agree. I have a 2002 Denali and the 17 inch wheels with Michelin Latitudes is a fantastic ride. Problem with the new truck in my opinion is that anything less than 22 inch doesn’t look great but offers a way better ride. I’m not going to sacrifice the look.

 

[Illnasty]

Defenders, go to 20s for an even better ride, or 18s!

nope but thanks.

 

[Miami-Dade]

I vote for the Michelin Defenders. Great ride!! I have the 20 inch but does not look like your going for it.

 

[CMoore711]

I have a ‘15 Denali XL with OEM 22” wheels when the factory Bridgestones needed replaced I went with the Michelin Defenders in stock sizes 285/45/22. Mostly based on the feedback/reviews found on tirerack.com and this forum here.

Right away I noticed an improvement in the ride quality and smoothness. Was really quite shocked at how much of an improvement just replacing the tires had on the overall ride quality. I do a lot of highway driving year round. The Defenders have proven to be a great tire in any weather condition.

When these are due for replacement I will be getting another set.

 

[Bob2C]

I have the OEM continental 20’s and at 30k miles have become dangerous in the rain. I like the ride quality but they just don’t wear all that well. I am currently looking for a replacement and will considered the Michilen Defenders. What is the life expectancy of the defenders? I remember I had Michelin’s on my wife’s Envoy and got 55k before they needed replacement.


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[swathdiver]

I have the OEM continental 20’s and at 30k miles have become dangerous in the rain. I like the ride quality but they just don’t wear all that well. I am currently looking for a replacement and will considered the Michilen Defenders. What is the life expectancy of the defenders? I remember I had Michelin’s on my wife’s Envoy and got 55k before they needed replacement.


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60K easy, most in the 70s and 80s, some break 100K according to the reviewers on TireRack with our GM Wagons.

 

[91RS]

Michelin Defender LTX is the best option for a smooth ride and longevity. You definitely get what you pay for when it comes to tires. Do NOT get the Premier LTX, they are far too soft to be on a full size (and I don't mean soft as in they'll ride great, I mean soft as in they'll wear out in 25k miles).

This is likely not what you're after but, in general, that's the price you pay for 'style'. These current large diameter wheels [your 22s] make trucks ride rougher than older, smaller sizes [my 16s].

Tire sidewalls act as shocks, and I have more sidewall than you do.

Any differences in tire construction would sit on that wheel size foundation.

joe

Less sidewall also helps handling and feel because there isn't as much to flex when turning which is very noticeable on a big heavy truck.

 

[sealandsky]

I'll be buying a set of Michelin Premier's in a month or two (just before the snow flies) to replace the OEM Bridgestone's. I don't hate the Bridgestones, but don't love them either.

 

[Richard Buckley]

I agree-The 22's just ride tough. Split the difference and go to 20's. My Yukon XL rides very nice on them.

 

[Notorious Big T]

I have a ‘15 Denali XL with OEM 22” wheels when the factory Bridgestones needed replaced I went with the Michelin Defenders in stock sizes 285/45/22. Mostly based on the feedback/reviews found on tirerack.com and this forum here.

Right away I noticed an improvement in the ride quality and smoothness. Was really quite shocked at how much of an improvement just replacing the tires had on the overall ride quality. I do a lot of highway driving year round. The Defenders have proven to be a great tire in any weather condition.

When these are due for replacement I will be getting another set.

Sme here, have 35k miles on them, still look like new, replaced oem Continentals at 40k when they were scary to drive! Love these tires, also have th 20"

 

[petethepug]

Pull out all the stops. Consider a road force balance to verify the health of the rims and potential blems in the tires.

If all checks out, verify the health of your struts. Run the diagnostic program to eliminate that you don’t have a locked up strut(s).

Having both completed will reveal a cause that’s inherent to the rim, tire, both or neither. If neither is the case it’s time to look into a 20” wheel tire package. The way around all the diagnostic work is to swap out a buddy’s 20” set up on your truck and let the seat of your pants determine things.

The 20’s on my past 08 Denali XL AWD had an amazing ride in 14. Around 2020 I had a speed specific wobble I was chasing down to be a potential out of balance drive shaft. The 22’s on our current 09 Escalade ESV AWD Platinum ride horrible only because I know all four corners are due for new Z95 struts @ 138K miles. I can’t judge the ride of the 22’s until the Arnott’s go on.


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[38JMD]

Hey all,

the stock tires on my 2016 Denali are done. I have the 22 inch wheels so it’s been a rough ride since day one. Any suggestions or recommendations for tires that could produce a better ride? I know I’m limited due to the rim size but just want something better than stock.

thanks

I just replaced my 22's with OEM GMC 20's. I found them on my local facebook marketplace. I bought the new tires from ebay, and a local shop did the mount and balancing. The ride is way better, and since I bought factory wheels, the sensors came with them. I did have to purchase a 11$ reprogramming tool from amazon to get those sensors to talk to my Yukon but I carefully repacked the tool and returned it.

 

[wjburken]

I did have to purchase a 11$ reprogramming tool from amazon to get those sensors to talk to my Yukon but I carefully repacked the tool and returned it.

I have to chuckle at this. You just spent all the money for new wheels and tires and you returned an $11 tool. Not criticizing. It just made me chuckle. I recently bought a reprogramming tool from Amazon, just to have it on hand in case I needed it for some reason.