[eurban]

It may seem counterintuitive, but if you compare the weight of the 245/60-18 XL Michelin CCII and the 245/60-18 SL rated Nokian WRG5 you will find that the weight is not much different from the SL models. In the example below, the CC2 XL is actually lighter than the Nokians. View attachment 471817
Here is the weight of the same models but in 255/60-18 XL-rated:
View attachment 471818

If there are tires that are a good fit with an XL rating then great but limiting oneself to an XL rating for a Ridgeline tire simply makes no sense. Upsizing in order to find a tire in an XL rating makes no sense. Basically, I don't think the weight rating is an important criteria at all as long as the tire meets / exceeds the OEM tire's rating. I can see considering weight rating more heavily if you really are towing frequently and close to the weight limit of the truck.
In the case of the Michelin CC2 having an XL rating and coming in at 29 lbs. That frankly doesn't seem believable and even it it is accurate one would have wonder how much you really would gain in real world "toughness".
In our own experience, we installed a set of Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive tires (severe snow rated, all weather) on my wife's RAV4 and they are fine tires but there are most certainly some compromises. Noise is most definitely more obvious than the OEM tire and gas mileage has dropped a couple of MPG. A tire like Michelin's CC2 would likely have a similar downside. Not too significant but noticeable. If I had it to do over, I would have forsaken the urge to get a severe snow rated tire (my wife was concerned about the occasional need to drive in snow) and just gotten a well rounded tire that does reasonably well in snow but that excels in wet / dry and that is quieter, lighter, less rolling resistance and would thus result in better fuel economy.
In the case of the OP I would also look to a tire that has a high mileage (wear) guarantee and that has a track record of actually achieving it.

 

[2023_not-a-truck]

Greetings, I have a 2023 RTL in Connecticut. I drive 95% paved roads & 5% dirt. I swapped out the OEM Firestones for Nokian Outpost APT's before my first winter. I've been very pleased with the Nokians and would buy them again tomorrow, no question about it. For me, it works.

I never had even a hint of losing traction with the Nokian Outpost tires. The only negative is that they ride just a little bit harder than the firestones. My MPG went down about 1.2 MPG, but that's probably due to combination of tires, S-VCM & Iddlestopper being added.

I've never been a fan of Firestone, but the 9 months that drove on them they were a comfortable riding tire.

I also have a utility trailer that I use about ten times a year. Don't worry about the XL load rating.

The Nokians are rated for 60k warranty. With how much you drive I would also look at Michelin as an option. If you have Costco's, then the Michelins might be cheaper.

Nokian tires were made in Russia before the Ukraine war. Nokian built a plant in USA and started to make them in the USA as of 2022. I ordered my tires online and got three made in Tennessee Sept 2023 and one Russian one from March 2022. I had to argue with Simple Tire to exchange the two-year-old Russian one. Simple Tire considers tires up to four years old acceptable. BULL!

Whatever tire you get, check the DOT date code before getting them installed.

Best of luck.

 

[eurban]

I never had even a hint of losing traction with the Nokian Outpost tires. The only negative is that they ride just a little bit harder than the firestones. My MPG went down about 1.2 MPG, but that's probably due to combination of tires, S-VCM & Iddlestopper being added.

Those Outposts look like good tires. Tire rack doesn't seem to carry / review them. They are about 4-5lbs heavier than stock. That will impact MPG a bit, especially stop and go city driving.

 

[gregmork]

Greetings, I have a 2023 RTL in Connecticut. I drive 95% paved roads & 5% dirt. I swapped out the OEM Firestones for Nokian Outpost APT's before my first winter. I've been very pleased with the Nokians and would buy them again tomorrow, no question about it. For me, it works.

I never had even a hint of losing traction with the Nokian Outpost tires. The only negative is that they ride just a little bit harder than the firestones. My MPG went down about 1.2 MPG, but that's probably due to combination of tires, S-VCM & Iddlestopper being added.

I've never been a fan of Firestone, but the 9 months that drove on them they were a comfortable riding tire.

I also have a utility trailer that I use about ten times a year. Don't worry about the XL load rating.

The Nokians are rated for 60k warranty. With how much you drive I would also look at Michelin as an option. If you have Costco's, then the Michelins might be cheaper.

Nokian tires were made in Russia before the Ukraine war. Nokian built a plant in USA and started to make them in the USA as of 2022. I ordered my tires online and got three made in Tennessee Sept 2023 and one Russian one from March 2022. I had to argue with Simple Tire to exchange the two-year-old Russian one. Simple Tire considers tires up to four years old acceptable. BULL!

Whatever tire you get, check the DOT date code before getting them installed.

Best of luck.

Thanks very much for that info! I’ll look seriously at the Nokias. First highway vehicle I e had in a while.

 

[JJkroch]

Need to replace my Goodyear Workhorse AT. Lots of tread left but no grip in the rain. I will be going with a less aggressive tread most likely the Michelin LTX M/S2. Depth is OK, even wear but not dealing with the lack of traction.

 

[hANNAbONE]

I bought a 2023 ridgeline in Dec 2023. I drive a lot and now have 70k on it. Tires are shot and we’re not good in rain or snow since I’ve had them. Any suggestions on better tires? I live in Connecticut and drive the entire state on a daily basis. View attachment 471781

search is your friend...there is a thread with major info on this very topic.

Mine choice is Michelin A/S Defender 2