Tires: 2005 2WD Ford Ranger - rear tire wear, continental contitrac, proper inflation

Question
I got a used, 2005, 2wd, reg cab, edge package, 3.0L V6, Ford Ranger this past summer, with only about 18K miles. Front tires fairly new, rear had Continental ContiTrac P235/16R70 104T, all on the stock Ford alloy 8.0(?)in. rims. Rear tires were jut OK when I bought it; not terrible, I was guessing another 10K left on them. But in just another 3K miles the right rear is completely shot with almost no tread from the middle to outside edge of tire. Inside edge has pretty good tread. Tire was so bad I put the spare on until I can replace rear tires. Off the truck it's easy to see the angle of wear across the tire - almost bald on outside edge to a fair amont of tread on the inner side. No cupping, it's even wear around the perimeter of the tire, just very angled across the tread with the outer edge worn quite low and the inner edge much less so. I've never seen a tire wear so dramatically different on the outer edge and middle compared to the inner 1/4 of the tread. The left rear is also wearing similarly; not quite as bad, but it's close. These both are getting replaced in the next couple of days with Goodyear Comfortred P235/16R65 103T's, because I wanted something that rode smoother, was quieter, and had more tread life. My driving is almost completely highway commuting at 60-65 mph so I don't care about or need M+S type treads. Should I be concerned that my new tires will wear simmilary? If so, what can I do to prevent it other that proper inflation and regular rotation? (I don't know about the rotation of the current tires since I've only had the truck about 3K miles.) Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Answer
Mike,

First, you should not be going down in size from a P235/70R16 to a P235/65R16.  That results in a smaller load carying capacity and that increases the risk of an overload type tire failure.  I recommend you stay with the original tire size, which will be listed on a sticker which is commonly called the "placard".  The placard is usually located on a doorpost or in the glovebox.

Second, the tire wear you describe is usually the result of a misaligned front end.  I'm guessing the tires were rotated just before you bought it.

So I would get an alignment.  Make sure it is a 4 wheel alignment, because it is just possible the truck was in an accident and the tire wear is the result of a bent frame.