Is a alignment a must with new tires?

[Moose-Hunter]

It's tire time!!! We're going from a 265 AT tire to a 285 MT tire. The MT's are a 1.3" taller and of course a bit wider. Is realigning the front end required after installing these new tires?

[Scott K]

Are the ones you are taking off warn abnormally? If so, yes align it, if they are worn evenly, then I wouldnt worry about the alignment.

[DooWap]

I always figured if you were already spending hundreds of dollars on new tires, what's a couple extra bucks for an alignment to make sure that they last you 50K+ miles? Brakes and tires are the two things I never cheap out on.

[TruthWalleyes]

I'll +1 on uneven wear, get an alignment job. Normal wear, save your $75.

[clm]

alot of tire places offer a free alignment check with purchase of tires. i know we do. it is definitely woth the money especially with these wonderful roads we have.

[Moose-Hunter]

Thanks for the responses!

The truck in question is my new 2011 Silverado. It has a few clicks over 1000 miles on her. The A/T tires are fine and in great shape as they should be with such low miles.

The A/T's are great for the road, however this truck will be off the beaten path a time or two where the M/T's will shine.

These larger rim diameter tires are spendy! Maybe it'll be worth my while to go for the alignment. Cheap insurance tire insurance I guess...

[tonkapat]

You don't need an alignment. If you really must take it to a chevy dealer and have it done. Should be free within 12k I believe.

[Jeremy airjer W]

1,000 miles.........no. The guy doing it will be like WTH is this guy thinking!

[SkunkedAgain]

When I threw some new Michelins on my Ranger this past winter, I had 65k miles on the old tires and they were still at half tread. I wanted a better snow tire though. The tire store didn't do alignments but had a deal with a shop down the street. I took my truck there and after he put it up on the rack, he pulled it down and showed me that my alignment was still factory perfect. He didn't charge me a dime. I thought that was cool and it was good piece of mind after dropping $800 on new tires.

But at 1,000 miles you've barely worn the nubs off the old tires. Unless you hit every pothole home from the dealership and then some, your alignment should still be fine.

[Powerstroke]

No need on a new truck.

[caseymcq]

Did you already pull the trigger on those 285's?

I went from 265's to 285's on my Sierra and I think they may have caused a little accelerated wear to the front end. They also rubbed a little bit (until I performed some surgery with a sawzall). I went with A/T's but I will make a swag and say your M/T's could be slinging a little more meat and may carry a little more weight... Three wheel bearings, two ball joints, and one steering knuckle later I have gone back to 265's.

[Moose-Hunter]

Did you already pull the trigger on those 285's?

I went from 265's to 285's on my Sierra and I think they may have caused a little accelerated wear to the front end. They also rubbed a little bit (until I performed some surgery with a sawzall). I went with A/T's but I will make a swag and say your M/T's could be slinging a little more meat and may carry a little more weight... Three wheel bearings, two ball joints, and one steering knuckle later I have gone back to 265's.

No trigger pullin' as of this writing. At least not on tires. At the range... Well that was a different story!

To be honest, I've heard that very thing about these trucks and different sized tires. But I've also heard it was the height, rather than width that caused undue stress... Confusing to say the least.

I'm looking into other size options offered by the factory, either standard or optional, which could work for me. Thus far, I have found a 275 tire that was offered as an option. However, this would mean new rims as well.

Decisions, decisions.... Maybe I should just forget about tires and go fishing. Sound good?

[Jeremy airjer W]

the taller the tire the more leverage they have to pull/push on front end parts.

Personally I never understood the need to deviate from a factory tire on a daily driver?

[Scott K]

I agree, you want more traction, put on aggressive tread, but leave the tire size factory. If the truck is just a toy, and will only be used for farming, or playing on back roads, builder up to the monster truck stage. Other wise tall, and wide tires only put un needed stress on steering and suspension, and you will pay for it in the not so distant future. Not only that but the extra large tires will void warranty as well.