[moosehead]

It is popular to hate on the OEM 20" GY's, with the most vehement complaints being poor offroad and snow handling. I would agree that in either situatuon it would be like bringing a knife to a gunfight, and have an 18" winter/trail wheel and tire setup for these uses. I was also looking forward to a new 20" set of Terra Graps or Firestone Dest ST's, or another set of sneakers about now.

All that said, these GY's have taken all conditions reasonably well, including fire roads, heavy towing, and light to moderate snow, and have been excellent highway treads under spirited driving in the high alpine. Despite the above, my OEM set is going over 30k miles with plenty of tread showing.

Color me pleasantly surprised. Flame away.

 

[Willx]

There are certainly worse tires out there, I totally agree. But given the option at the beginning I would have picker differently.

 

[mhconley]

Being in southwest Florida I would have loved the option of choosing a set of three season or summer tires. The one good thing is they'll be cheap to replace.

Martin

 

[turbospartan]

I actually agree with you. I came from an Audi A4 (quattro) with dedicated snow tires, and I was expecting these Fortera's to be terrible in the mountains during winter based on the reviews here.

Once I actually got out there (plus snow mode) - I seriously was wondering if I didn't have the Fortera's. They weren't the best tire I've ever driven, but hardly anything worth scrapping immediately.

My only complaint now is that I get the 60mph vibration and that when I have taken these off-road, I feel that the sidewalls are literally non-existent as I can see the shape of the rock under the tires.

I want to switch to some Nitto Terra Grapplers most likely, but its not like the Fortera's have me scared to drive, in any condition.

 

[Tony407]

These 265/50-20s on our Jeeps are only $122 each on Tirerack. That's one of the cheapest truck/SUV tires I've seen in a while, especially for a 20.

EDIT- To clarify, I only have about 700 miles on my Jeep but so far I'm really loving the tires.

Tony

 

[Tazz]

The tire is nowhere as bad as it is made out to be, at least the batch that I have. Sure, its not gonna be as good as a situation specific tire, but its pretty good for what is supposed to do and fairly cost efficient to boot.

 

[Willx]

It is a "decent" tire. There isn't anything special about them. They get "decent" tread life but they also seem to have issues more than a "good" tire.

It wasn't an awful choice by Chrysler to put these on but not a fantastic one either is all I was getting at. I see a fair bit of warranty concerns with them but not a huge amount. Certainly not as many as the Journey tires.

 

[ms.annthrope]

While they are "decent" or at least somewhat round, black, and a hole in the middle, they are not what I would expect on a top trim Overland or Summit costing us $46-$50! They belong on a base model. Wifezilla's Laredo X has Michelin Latitudes, a much higher grade all season, or at least 3/4 season tire, with good handling, comfortable ride and rain competent tire. Overland or Summit ought to have at a minimum Michelin's MS2. Now the oxymoron is a vehicle whose every advertised fiber and being is to be a luxo 4x4 go anywhere do anything vehicle but shod with flimsy go somewhere so long as it is smooth and dry is just downright mind boggling. I can understand using quiet riding tires as the majority of us won't go off road but good Lord give us tires that befits a car of this price tag.

OK, my Bad-year Fart-eras were just fine. I was not going to take my chances with them so I just got rid of them at 2,300 miles for Toyo A/T IIs and could not be happier. Now I can drive in the rain, snow, dirt, or take a side trip around to see Monument Valley without worrying about the Bad-years popping like a toy balloon.

 

[ajs800]

I agree with the posts but I'm approaching 30k as well and while they have decent tread remaining, they have always had vibration issues. I have had them balanced many times and two different tire shops have stated over the past 18mos that two of them have two heavy spots and will never be 100% smooth. They stated that they would never install a new tire with this type of balance issue. The tires had over 10k miles by the time I looked into it and the dealer was not willing to replace so I decided to run them. If you get a defective free set they are a decent tire for all around use, IMO.

I am considering the destination ST or grapplers for my new set.

 

[BuckeyeSRT]

I have 45K on mine and they need replaced. I will replace them with the same tire.

 

[xJoshxx]

It is popular to hate on the OEM 20" GY's, with the most vehement complaints being poor offroad and snow handling. I would agree that in either situatuon it would be like bringing a knife to a gunfight, and have an 18" winter/trail wheel and tire setup for these uses. I was also looking forward to a new 20" set of Terra Graps or Firestone Dest ST's, or another set of sneakers about now.

All that said, these GY's have taken all conditions reasonably well, including fire roads, heavy towing, and light to moderate snow, and have been excellent highway treads under spirited driving in the high alpine. Despite the above, my OEM set is going over 30k miles with plenty of tread showing.

Color me pleasantly surprised. Flame away.

Look at the firestone destination le2s I have them top rated on tire rack. Amazing 60k warranty been amazing at everything so far.

 

[comnjeep]

I too think the Forteras are fine for OEM... However, seeing the actual test runs in the "elk test" where the 2011 or 2012 wk2 failed, and I think 6 times blew a front tire in a swerve (pretty sure on 20inch rims), I want different tires next time because I want more load rating. The Forteras are I think 106, and Grapplers, I think are 111.. I road trip in mountains with 2 kids, full load, roof rack and rear bikes, so I'm near max load. I want a stronger tire. I live in a snow area so the Grapplers probably have it for me... But for all season, I do think the Forteras are decent.

 

[Willx]

I too think the Forteras are fine for OEM... However, seeing the actual test runs in the "elk test" where the 2011 or 2012 wk2 failed, and I think 6 times blew a front tire in a swerve (pretty sure on 20inch rims), I want different tires next time because I want more load rating. The Forteras are I think 106, and Grapplers, I think are 111.. I road trip in mountains with 2 kids, full load, roof rack and rear bikes, so I'm near max load. I want a stronger tire. I live in a snow area so the Grapplers probably have it for me... But for all season, I do think the Forteras are decent.

Those were continentals.

 

[comnjeep]

Those were continentals.

Thanks. Good to know. Guess I'll keep my GY til winter...

 

[GCLimited]

I've never had good luck with Goodyear tires...dating back to the "Skaterback" tires of the late 80's, and the saga continues with my current 20" tires...vibration at highway speeds since day one.

I've always found Goodyear to be an over-priced, low traction, fast wearing and cheap tire.

 

[jacko15]

I've never had good luck with Goodyear tires...dating back to the "Skaterback" tires of the late 80's, and the saga continues with my current 20" tires...vibration at highway speeds since day one.

I've always found Goodyear to be an over-priced, low traction, fast wearing and cheap tire.

I agree. Too much of the cash flow spent on blimps!

 

[BradWK2]

I've never had good luck with Goodyear tires...dating back to the "Skaterback" tires of the late 80's, and the saga continues with my current 20" tires...vibration at highway speeds since day one.

I've always found Goodyear to be an over-priced, low traction, fast wearing and cheap tire.

Agree with you completely my last car came with goodyear RSAs which were the absolute worst tire I have ever had shaky noisy bad traction inner side walls split out of all 4 at 20k, replaced under warranty and they were over $300 each! 99 million miles worth of survey at tire rack show the same thing lol and they are still making them! These forteras are second worst same shaky noisy classic goodyear howling sound, they haven't split apart yet at least lol. Amazing what a set of Michelins do its like driving a totally different car. Shame on Jeep for putting those forteras on their top of the line vehicle. Just going to live with them for now though

 

[Willx]

I've never had good luck with Goodyear tires...dating back to the "Skaterback" tires of the late 80's, and the saga continues with my current 20" tires...vibration at highway speeds since day one.

I've always found Goodyear to be an over-priced, low traction, fast wearing and cheap tire.

100% where I am at. My Michelin's arrived only 5. Moths ahead of my new JGC :lol:

 

[comnjeep]

I've had GY supercars which were adequate and F1 GS D3's which were excellent. Those were made in Germany.

But to each his own. OEM tires in general usually have no purpose other than being OK for everything and cheap and fuel efficient.

 

[comnjeep]

Agree with you completely my last car came with goodyear RSAs which were the absolute worst tire I have ever had shaky noisy bad traction inner side walls split out of all 4 at 20k, replaced under warranty and they were over $300 each! 99 million miles worth of survey at tire rack show the same thing lol and they are still making them! These forteras are second worst same shaky noisy classic goodyear howling sound, they haven't split apart yet at least lol. Amazing what a set of Michelins do its like driving a totally different car. Shame on Jeep for putting those forteras on their top of the line vehicle. Just going to live with them for now though

Seems like almost every maker uses Forteras: toyota, GM, Jeep... Jeep isn't alone. There are very few 265 50 20 tires available that are all season. For the price I think they are not bad...:slapfight: