Tire size and type: 265's to 285's?

[lamintdog]

Need new tires to run year round (heavy winters) on my stock rims... Duramax buddy runs BFG ATKO's in 285 (vs 265 stock) and swears by them... They're about $50/tire more... I've heard conflicting reports on tread life and wondering if they're worth the extra...

Realistically 90% of my driving is on paved roads, but I want an AT tire that looks somewhat aggressive and will fill the wheelwells more... Have stock suspension, considering a 2" leveling kit.

Anyone go from 265's to 285's here? Pros? Cons? Before and after pics?

I'm assuming fuel economy dips slightly and the speedo must be off a few miles/hr... any rubbing at all?

Considering General Grabber AT2's, Kumho Road Venture AT KL-78's, BFG ATKO's, Dunlop RVXT's and Radial Rover A/T's...

Open to suggestions -thanks.

[Clay]

i think i can help here...let me find some information i am thinking of.

[Clay]

Dont know if this wil help or not, this guy has 18" wheels.
But you can read it...i think its 3 pages and the pics are at the end.

http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/6-0l-exterior-discussion/52801-too-big.html

[lamintdog]

it helped make me want 18" rims and even bigger tires thanks for the reference. I take from it that 285's should have NO problem on a stock truck, especially with a leveling kit...

Still curious about winter performance... fastcote or any of you other mountain dwellers - what are you running for treads in winter?

[FastCote]

I absolutely HATE my tires....

They are the stock Goodyear Wranglers and they look like ballet slippers on this truck.

I really want one of the following 3 (all MT type)

1.) Toyo Open Country MT
2.) Nitto Mud Grapplers (these look killer but i have heard they sound like a prop plane going down the road)
3.) Pro Comp XTerrains

Check out this thread and see what a difference tires make for this guys truck.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/661866-well-its-been-lifted-a-bit-but-its-not-done.html

[greasyX]

The GreasyX has 265/70/17 Vativas by Nokian aggresive "on" road look with no hi-way hum.

[billman]

285/75/16 Nitto Duragrapplers! I put these on in the fall. They ride nice on the highway and are aggressive enough to handle the snow up here in central NY. Reports from others say the miles you get are really good (50k+). I got mine through discounttiresdirect.com Just my .02 worth

[biostroker]

I just put these on my truck and they have incredible grip.

http://www.treadwright.com/shopnow/product/tabid/61/productid/53/sename/285-75r16-warden-a-t-d.aspx

I had 265/75/16 Kumho Road Venture A/Ts on my truck, had them siped, and they were ok. I put the Treadwright Warden A/Ts with the Kedge grip in a 285/75/16 and I put my truck into 4WD about 75% less of the time! And they were only $110/tire. They are a BFG TA KO casing, and the tread looks identical to a TA KO. A lot of people have reservations about retreads, but I figured the company has been in business for over 20 years, and I couldn't find a single review anywhere about the tire failing due to being a retread.

[HORSEMOVER]

I put the BFG AT KO's on last November and stepped up to 285-75-16. Everybody swore about the tread life of these tires and that they were worth the extra $. Mine are now bald and we have 3 feet of snow here now. I am hard on tires but 1 year is less than I expected. Not sure what I am going to do now. Those that swear by them say that other tires would have only lasted me 6 months and that it is my fault that they are bald. I will most likely try something different this time around. Let me know what you decide.

By the way no rubbing on my 04 with the 285

[muns53]

Goodyear 305's here; stock rims as far as I can tell. They rub at full wheel lock when I turn to the left. I may bump it down a size for my next set, but not sure - hopefully will be a while before I have to do anything with them.

[HORSEMOVER]

Goodyear 305's here; stock rims as far as I can tell. They rub at full wheel lock when I turn to the left. I may bump it down a size for my next set, but not sure - hopefully will be a while before I have to do anything with them.

Which Goodyears do you have? I have never been a fan but somebody was telling me to check out a new set they have out. Can't remember the name but I will let you guys know.

[Clay]

good thread...i'm about to pull the trigger on some new wheels and bigger tires. I leveled up the front 2.5" and now my tires look really small.

[HORSEMOVER]

good thread...i'm about to pull the trigger on some new wheels and bigger tires. I leveled up the front 2.5" and now my tires look really small.

Clay which leveling kit did you use? I have been meaning to do this for the past year and a half but still remains on my long to-do list.

[Clay]

I used Pro Comp spring shackle kit from Stealth Automitive.
It was a BITCH to install but if you have a newer model truck, its a coil spring spacer and much easier to install.
Took me and my helper 10 hours. I could have installed a vegistroke in less time.

[HORSEMOVER]

I used Pro Comp spring shackle kit from Stealth Automitive.
It was a BITCH to install but if you have a newer model truck, its a coil spring spacer and much easier to install.
Took me and my helper 10 hours. I could have installed a vegistroke in less time.

10 hours. Now I know why I have been putting it off. Mine is an 04 so same deal.