16.5 x 8 or 16 x 8 Rims?

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The only advice I can offer is that I got a set of 285 Wild Country TXR studded that I use in the winter. I think they work great, and have pulled the truck thru Snoqualmie Pass every weekend, then Ellensburg ice, Spokane sand, and whatever mixture happened to show up on the way to Pullman every two weeks. I imagine it is similar to your terrain.

But my question is that since you aren't doing it, is the deal still out there? What tires are they? RVT? TXR? Mud?

 

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WOWZY:
Sorry, don't agree with you that fat tires sticking way out looks good. Makes the truck look like a slot car. Everyone has their own opinion.

 

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I have a co-worker that feels the same way,but he wants 36's on his truck. I told him that he can't have it both ways. If he runs a wheel with too much back spacing to keep them under the fenders he'll rub his leaf springs. I don't see where mine stick out all that far as they would if I ran 16. 5x12's.

Alot of my friends have trouble in the snow and on the beaches with narrow tires.
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[This message has been edited by WOWZY (edited 09-28-2000). ]

 

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WOWZY, 285s are hardly "little" tires. In addition, see how well the 35s do with a camper loaded on your Ram. I will absolutely guarantee you the 285s will provide a more stable and controlled ride. No rocket science here...

BTW, I ran 33" Mud-Terrains before the 35s came out. I switched to the 35 inchers not long after they were released... around 1984 or so. Rode higher, but not better!

I guess it all boils down to whether you want your Ram for "posing" or if you actually want to "use" it to 100% of it's a ability.

 

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I can attest to the issues of airing down a 16. 5" wheel and tire set. I had a 77 Ford F250 (built 400, headers, Dana 60's, 4:10s, etc... . a stunning and overbuilt brut) Anyway on our way out of the area we were 4-wheeling, I decided to hit one more mud hole and I completely lost the tire off the wheel!! #ad


Of course it was getting dark and my hi-lift was a home and the 35" Mud terrains didn't match up well with the orignal 30" spare tire. Additionally, the steering got screwed up. Hours later, I got the tire changed and the next day bought a new 16" set up. It was an expensive lesson! Don't air down 16. 5"s!

 

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Originally posted by John:
WOWZY, 285s are hardly "little" tires.

I guess it all boils down to whether you want your Ram for "posing" or if you actually want to "use" it to 100% of it's a ability.

Yes the 285's are all of 20mm wider. #ad
Why not stay with the stock tires? I'm sure that they're more stable than the 285-75's. Why did you want taller tires or for that matter,wider ones?

As far as the 100% goes,with my larger tires I'm able to close the gap on what the smaller tires won't let my truck do. I did buy a 4x4. As an example a friend was trying to pull his trailer loaded down with hay out of a field bottom. His truck had plenty of power but his tires General 265-75R AP's wouldn't let him get traction to pull it up the hill. He didn't want to unload the trailer or drive to the other side of the farm to get the tractor. He gave me a call and I hooked to it. I did spin the tires but was able to pull it to the barn. Why?,because of more tire surface on the ground. He still said that he won't put the wide tires on his,but he knows who to call if something like that happens again.

A larger tire of the same style will last longer than the smaller tire. I shouldn't have to explain that one to you.

Big tires have gotten me out of speeding tickets every time.

I'm sure that the 4x2's do just as good on the road when pulling a trailer.
My truck may not be the most stable when pulling a heavy load with the 35's,but I didn't buy a dually and I'm comfortable with the thought of not having to call a tow truck when I drive it on the beach as that's where I do most of my trekking. So in fact I'm closer to witnessing 100% of my 4x4's ability than some. Just love it when a truck looks good and is functional!

As someone recommended a few months back, "If you want to drive our trucks on the beach with tires narrower than 305's,make sure you bring a buddy along to help you dig. "

I guess all the other TDR members who run big tires are stupid also right? #ad

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[This message has been edited by WOWZY (edited 09-29-2000). ]

 

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Originally posted by John:
I will absolutely guarantee you the 285s will provide a more stable and controlled ride. No rocket science here...

I can agree with you a little bit,very little. I've had enough experience driving trucks with big tires,towing/hauling that I haven't noticed much difference in the stability with any size tires that were D-rated. Even the 38x12. 50 swampers didn't bother me at all, but with my experience very few things give me white knuckles. I've even found the bumps in the roads non-existant with big tires.

I am willing to debate this with you as long as you want because I can't think of but one negative with the bigger tires and that would be the cost of them.

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[This message has been edited by WOWZY (edited 09-29-2000). ]

 

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I've been looking at 17" rims. I currently have 255/85-16s on the stock 16/6. 5" rims, but they are nearing the end of their useful life and they also look tiny with my Warn fender flares. I see that BFG may be offering a 37x12. 5-17 AT/KO this fall, which I'm hoping to procure (along with a 4" lift). To get a 12. 5 to look right with Warn flares, 0. 2" to 0. 4" inside the flare, I've figured I need 17x8 with 5" backspacing (Stockton steel wheel?), 17x9 with 5. 625" b. s. (Weld F-1), or 17x9. 5 with 6" b. s. (Centerline). I'm pretty sure the 17" will clear my large drums even with the deeper backspacing. Since the recommended rim width range for the BFG 37" is 8. 5" to 11", I'll probablt go with the 17x9. 5", which is rated for 3000# and a 41" tire (I've read).

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1998. 5 BE7L33 4x4, NV4500HD, 3. 54s, 255/85-16 Mud Rovers, Cummins uprate kit

 

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Hey Wowzy, I'm on your side brother, dont want no little sissy tires on my truck.

 

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Originally posted by BIG BOB:
HELP! Looking into new rims for my Ram, but don't know which rims to buy. Need to keep in mind that I am going to get a 27-30 foot travel trailer next year. Got a line on some used 33x12. 50/16. 5 Wild Country with 50% tread on American Racing Outlaw II 16. 5 x 8. 25 rims for $450. What do you think?

 

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My first post, and amid such controversy! I'll go with John on this issue. The range of available 16. 5" tires is currently "frozen", while new sizes and designs for 16" tires are emerging daily. We have had acceptable performance from the Goodyear Wrangler AT/S in 305/16,(largest avail. at time of purchase). B. F. G. makes many fine products, for many uses. They offer the Baja T/A in 315/16. The Baja T/A is a purpose-built tire, for off-road racing only! We have used them for this purpose since introduction, and have been very satisfied. #ad
We have also tested them in on-road driving, and off-road jeeping applications, and absolutely would not recommend them for these purposes. #ad
My opinion. Good Luck.
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'90 W-350 225K
'99 2500 QC 4x4 AUTO 4:10
EDK

[This message has been edited by Big K (edited 10-01-2000). ]

 

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HI,all
I have 305/70/16,s goodyears on mickey thompson wheels ( alcoa ).
I have 5,000 miles on them now and are wearing well,ride is very good they replaced
33-12. 50-16. 5,s new tires slightly larger.