285/75/16 load range E tires

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by Diesel Gunner

I think that its going to be the 295's for me. Just don't want to deal with the 305's rubbing or lifting the truck. Still can't believe how much work I have put into this even with all the input from all of you at the TDR.

fyi: the 295/75/16's are taller than the 305/70/16's. the 305's are the same height as the 285/75/16's, while the 295's are about a 1/2" taller

 

[Diesel Gunner]

You are absolutely right Nick. From what I have seen, though, the height of the tire is not so much a problem. The 295 will be approx 1. 5 inches taller than the stock 265 and is not enough to cause problems. I believe that the wheel wells are sufficiently large to accommodate this.



The problem, as I see it, is going to tires that are as wide as or wider than the 305 without making major modifications (ie. lifting and aftermarket wheels). I do spend a fair amount of time off road and towing heavy and having the inside sidewall rubbing on the link arms just makes me shudder. I would not want to have to manhandle the rig to the side of the road after a front blow out with my TT on (or without it for that matter). If anyone has any other experience with these sizes on stock rims, please join in.

 

[Cummins4Life]

Originally posted by DBCooper

Cummins, how old are your tires. The reason I ask is that I was just in my local Schwab store and they said no dice for a 285 "E" tire. Maybe they discontinued them, or the guy wasn't informed.

I bought mine last August, but the latest (last month) Schwab newspaper sale ad had them listed.

 

[DBCooper]

Thanks, Zach. I'll take the add in a staple it to his forhead.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Kelly Springfield carries the 285 E rating tires. I had a set on my 98 and they were good.



My OEM Michelins have 83,000 on them and I'm starting to look. It's hard to walk away and go to another tire after service like I've gotten out of these 265's.

 

[Un-Hemi]

Hey, Alan!

Are your stock tires LTX M/S or LTX A/S? TIA



Tom

 

[Alan Reagan]

Mine are the M/S, I believe. I'm in Miami right now. I'll have to check when I get back to Savannah. The A/S are the all terrain, right? Mine are the highway tread (2wd).

 

[TBontrager]

Ok, based on the posts in this thread, I looked at both Kelly and Toyo and can't locate an E rated tire in size 285/75-16. . at least not one rated to hold 80psi. Does anyone know of a tire this size with an 80psi rating?



I currently run Nitto Terra Grapplers size 305/70-16 on my 2500 4wd. I do get rubbing in the front on full lock and I don't really like it. The tires, however, have been GREAT so far (30K+ miles and looking good). They're rated at over 3500lbs. , but only hold 65psi max. The tires are "10 Ply Rated", though, which confuses me somewhat, since I equated the "ply rating" to be associated with the "D" or "E". Oh well. I plan to switch to a narrower (285) tire to stop the rubbing, but I need the MAX weight rating and sidewall stiffness and (probably) an E tire rated at 80psi. Is there one? I'm getting tired of looking at tire manufacturers websites...



Thanks, TIm

 

[Cummins4Life]

The toyo open country A/T's that I posted about eariler in this thread only lasted 29k. I would not buy them again.



However I've never heard anything bad about the Toyo M55's. Their website lists them with E load rating of 3740lbs at 80psi. I'd give them a look.

http://toyo.com/tires/tire_specsheet.cfm?id=11

 

[JGK]

I knew from the subject line of this thread I had a reply for you, but Cummins4Life beat me to it! He is correct. Toyo now has the M55, 285/17-16 in a E version (10 plys). The tread is more agressive than the AT's. As he also stated, the AT's don't hold up. Mine are gone at 25k miles. LS is giving me half back in credit.



From what I've read, the M55 is a commercial grade tire capable of handling just about anything. Very durable. But they will probably be a bit noisier. For winter use, many have recommended siping them. Most that have used them have been very happy with them.



LS quotes about $199 per tire in that size. However a little bird told me they will be going on sale in Sep. /Oct. at about 10% off.



-Jay

 

[Alan Reagan]

Sorry I didn't get back. My tires are the Michelin LTX A/S. And I now have 108,000 on the OEM tires.



I sent Michelin an email two weeks ago to tell them how pleased I was with the mileage. They sent me a bumper sticker.



I'm happy with the Michelins. I run 65 psi front and 55 rear and rotate every 5,000 miles.

 

[jponder]

I hear you Alan, My michelins had 80K and looked great. I ran them over cutovers and all kind of stuff. Did have to put a tube in one of them when I knicked a hole in the side. I felt like they would make 100K easy.



Werent worth anything off road. would get stuck in wet grass.

 

[TBontrager]

Thanks Cummins4life. I see the specs for the 285 toyo. They look fantastic. These appear to be the highest rated tires I've seen in this size. Thanks for the tip.



You too JGK.





Tim

 

[TBontrager]

Since I live in Kansas, their aren't any handy dealers for Toyo. Can someone recommend a mail-order source? I bought my Nittos from discounttiredirect.com and they had excellent service. They don't list the Toyos and neither does tirerack.com.



Thanks!

 

[JJW_ND]

M55

I have ran two sets of M55 in the 235/85R size. They were very quiet and I was able to get just about 2x the miles as compared to Goodyear At, Dunlop AT and Yokohama Geo.



I just had the 255/85R mounted. They are taller then either the 235's or the 265's. They tire dealer I use said he has been having complaints from those that ran the 265's... . to noisy. These 255's definetly have a little wine to them. I think the wider the tire the more noise they will generate.



Here is a good website to get ballpark prices (very good prices) 101Tires



These have a pretty agressive tread tire. Much more then the factory or any AT rated tire. If you want quiet these are not for you or stay with the 235's.



Siping makes these incredable snow tires.



jjw

ND

 

[Chief USA]

For about $95 each, the Walmart 285/75-R16 Liberator AT's are tough to beat. Load range D and I have pulled as much as 2 cords or oak fire wood and my 26' Sea Ray with no problems. Smooth riding, quiet tires that offer good traction off road.

 

[RKohn]

I liked the 305/70 Nittos...

got over 55k out of them. Oo.

 

[Hohn]

I have the Toyo Open Country ATs in a 305/70/R16 Load Range E and love them. Email for pics or more info.

This tire ^^ has a monster load rating of over 3500lbs!



Justin

 

[TBontrager]

Thank you to all that have replied. Cummins4Life hit the nail on the head with his Toyo recommendation. Hohn points out that his 305/70-16 tire has a load rating over 3500 pounds. However, I am currently running Nitto Terra Grapplers in the same size with a rating over 3500 pounds. Many have pointed out that load rating an sidewall stiffness do not necessary go hand in hand. The Nittos have an outstanding load rating and a "10 Ply Rating", but only hold 65psi. I am carring a heavy Lance 821 camper and I still get a bit of squirm. Therefore, my next tires will be the Toyo's in size 285/75-16. They really do have the best of both worlds--outstanding load rating over 3700 lbs. , E rating, and hold 80psi. The cost will be slightly more than I paid for my Nittos. BTW, I have be extremely happy with the Nittos in all situations. I have over 30K on them now and they're still looking pretty good. I won't go to the Toyos for a while yet.



Thanks again to all those actively involved on this forum.



Tim

 

[Newf Limo]

My last set were Coopers, never again. They wear pretty fast. I am really hard on tires, and have a tendancy to not really slow down on curves, I know. . . bad habit. I am back to BFG's 285 75 16's AT KO. They have a higher load capacity than my original E rated tires (Michellin LTX) yet they are a "D" rated tire. They wear well, look good, have great snow traction, and don't produce a ton of road noise. The down side. . . in Maine, the first thing the inspection stations notice is the size. Not legal, not inspectable. The second thing they notice. . . the rating. Not "E", not inspectable. Regardless of load capacity, these guys just can't seem to use common sense. Of course, their 2000 Chevy 4x4 with 33" mudders is sitting out back with an insection sticker on it! I had my wife take it in to a clients garage (after I had tried 6 other places) got a sticker with no problem.