265's to 285's

[jeepit]

Ii's close to tire buying time and I have thought alot about moving up one size. Most of the time the truck is used for hauling stuff to the dump and picking up items at Fleet Farm.

Two to three times a year I haul a truck camper in bed, and tow CJ7 loaded on a trailer behind.

I know I may lose some mileage but my main concern would be any additional sway I may inccur with the larger tire. It really is 1. 2" difference in size.

I am looking at Michelin LTX MS2. It appears that this tire comes E rated.

The other thing that comes to mind with the larger tire is the RPM drop.

Any thoughts you wish to share would be appreciated.

 

[fkovalski]

I went to 285's to gain the higher LI tire rating... I would have stayed with 265's if I could have found one with LI more than 121. I researched my options from switching to 18, 20 or commercial 19. 5 rims with higher weight capacity ratings but ended up going with Nitto Terra Grapplers on stock steel rims.

I was concerned about sidewall flex, but am not noticing too much excessive sway of the combination. I have a Helwig sway bar and my 9000's on the stiffest setting... I am not sure the width of your camper, but NorthStars are narrower than most... I would think this has some to do with how well mine handles.

I did notice about 2 mpg drop but my speedo seems pretty accurate... I did not recalibrate it.

The tire does look better in the wheel wells over the 265's.

EDIT: are you sure they are available in an E rate for 17"? In looking that the Mich website I am not seeing a 285/17 in E.

 

[Barry]

FYI: Rickson Wheel Website has a niffty little computer to tell about speedo and ratio change when moving to a different size tire... ... .....

 

[MChrist]

Michelin does not seem to have a 285/70/17 in LRE, but their LRD in that size is equal to a 265 in LRE. Also, remember that a 1. 2 inch tire height difference is only . 6 inch truck height difference.

 

[NIsaacs]

The tire does look better in the wheel wells over the 265's.

EDIT: are you sure they are available in an E rate for 17"? In looking that the Mich website I am not seeing a 285/17 in E.

I think the OP has 16's, that tire is available in load range E. I run a set of 285's in the D rating and liked them very well, however with a 3. 55 gear set I was a hair over geared and went back to the 2. 65's. I think when these wear out I will go back to 2. 85's, they just look better.



Nick

 

[fkovalski]

I think the OP has 16's, ...

My bad ( I am stuck in 3G mindset mode as that is normally the forum I read)... .