singled deuce tires: Goodyear or Michelin?

[builder77sDad]

Hi Fellows,

Ethan's M35A2C isn't running yet, but will be soon. The rear axles are currently dual, but I will convert to singles. The duece has standard issue tires, which look like they would have poor traction on a wet road, so I am in the market for new tires. Staying with the standard rims, and respecting the stated design limits, it is clear that the correct tires are 11.00R20. I've done some searching, and it seems there are currently no domestic suppliers for new tires of this size (please inform me if I am wrong) but there is a steady supply of used military surplus ones with a lot of life left in their treads. The only current choices are the Goodyear G177 and the Michelin XL.
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Over the years in our family cars, we have used only Michelins, due to trust in their quality, but I don't know if my bias applies to military tires. The G177 looks more like a highway tire and the XL more of a mud tire, and so I am leaning to the G177. However, I am undecided and would like to read some opinions.
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Is there much difference in handling on the highway?
Is one tire noiser than the other on the street? (yes, I'm going to add a muffler)
Is there much difference off road?
Does one last longer than the other?
Which looks cooler on a deuce?
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What is your experience and advice?
Thanks, Robert
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[Westech]

go with the G177.. there the best tire I have ran on the deuce. Great on and off road. The xl suck just about as much as the NDCC on wet roads.

 

[JOAT 0311]

You just helped make up my mind Westech. Would you be kind enough to share some more info on the G177's. MPG/power, top speed/RPM,pros and cons. I ask only to help with the comparison. I Do you know of any places to get 20x11" aluminum rims in the Madison or Milwaukee Area? It tends to be difficult to change a 300# wheel and tire on the side of the road (Singles). Thanks for the insight!

 

[gimpyrobb]

I agree, the 177 is a great road tire and has good traction off road too. For your intended purpose I think it would be the best tire choice.

 

[MikeON]

I really like my G177s. They are set up as duals.

Attached is a page with some of the info you are looking for.

Even with the correct speedometer adapter (.200:1 ratio) for 11.00-20 tires, my speedometer reads slow. With speedometer reading 50 mph, the GPS reads 54 mph.

 

[Ferroequinologist]

I just got some of the G177 and have installed the first six on my m109 for the Uwharrie rally. They are lightyears better than the old worn NDTs I had. I can cruise 60mph, at 2400-2500rpm. Ride soooo much nicer. And they look GOOOOD...

 

[hklvette]

I have the XLs on my deuce, and can tell you from experience that they will dig to china if given the chance, especially when singled (my fronts dig badly). I plan on keeping them and putting 14.5R20 XLs up front to add flotation to prevent said problem.

 

[CGarbee]

Got to say that I have not driven a duece with any of these tires on it in a singled out configuration. I have driven a M109 with the Firestone copy of the Michelin XZL tread on it in a 1100r20 dualed up and it road very well (after the tires got aired down to something reasonable, the sidewalls at 90psi were way too stiff...). Performed wonderfully in the rain on pavement, did well in the mud in the backyard...

Not a real comparison to what you are asking as the trucks are different, and the configuration is as well, but:
I really lilke my 1100r20 Michelin XL's on my XM813 and M817... dualed up on both as that is the stock tire size for the five ton trucks. They are miles ahead of the 1100x20 NDT's on my M816 as far as ride quality and performance on both wet pavement (rain and snow) and on rutted dirt roads. Offroad, they seem to do better than the NDT's although they do load up in the mud more.

I have some trucks at work with the G177's on them and they are a great tire... Assuming that I could get a set as inexpensively as I have been getting the Michelins, I'd run a set on anything in the yard. Ferro's M109 looked great wearing them at the Uwharrie gathering this past weekend.

Good luck.

 

[Kohburn]

I just picked up a set of the goodyears off ebay for the cost of shipping. I like the look of the 11r20's along with them being able to still be dualled out so that's what I looked for.

don't know how they ride yet, but I expect good things.

 

[saddamsnightmare]

April 20th, 2010.

I had a set of 5 G177 1100R20 M+S for my Unimog and I chose not to cut the fenders to mount them, so i sold them to one of our members in ARK for his bobbed deuce. If I could have come across two more 95% tread copies, I would have singled the deuce, as these tires are light years ahead of NDCC's for handling on or off road....
Pity the blighters are so expensive new ($550.00 each)......

 

[jesusgatos]

Take a look at the Firestone T831's. I just mounted-up a set of 'em on Mah Deuce and they look the business, but I haven't driven it yet.

 

[toddm]

I am looking for (4) more Goodyear G177's for my Deuce. The tires I have now say G188 on them, as long as they are 11.00-20's they should be fine. I found some for sale at $250 each used, but that's a little more than I want to spend. I have my truck singled now, but want to run duals. Thanks Todd

 

[olly hondro]

I like the Michelins. Whats wierd is the truck steers easier with the bigger tires.

 

[11Echo]

Link to what the original poster decided on.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/52577-washing-my-canadian-mounties.html

 

[shenkmen]

...it is clear that the correct tires are 11.00R20. I've done some searching, and it seems there are currently no domestic suppliers for new tires of this size (please inform me if I am wrong) but there is a steady supply of used military surplus ones with a lot of life left in their treads. The only current choices are the Goodyear G177 and the Michelin XL.

I'm going to 2nd the choice of Firestone T831's since they are available new in 11.00R20, perform well on all terrains and look pretty sweet.