315/75s - Right Size?

[Tulsa618]

'Been thinkin about moving up from the stock 265/75 Michelins to something that will fill those wheel wells much better. I'd like to go to 315/75s (I think my mods could make it a fairly painless move up - I could handle a performance hit for a little better mileage). So far, I've been able to find three "possibles" in that size: BFG All Terrain T/A, Nitto Terra Grappler and the Cooper Discoverer A/T. Are there others available in that size? Do any of them make more sense than the others?



I drive paved roads better than 99% of the time, and rarely carry more than a few bags of sand for ballast - and I never tow anything. As much as I love the way the BFGs look, just for the tread design, might the Coopers be a better choice for my driving style? Or are there other considerations?



And finally, should I be looking at something a bit smaller than the 315/75s, and if so, what would the reasons be (other than maybe a little rubbing at lock)? It's taken me nearly four years to wear the OEM Michelins to the point where I can begin to justify new tires to the Chief Accountant , and I think any new tires would likely last a long time so I'd like to make a good choice.

 

[Scrappy]

315's

See my pics, I have 315/75r16 BFG Mud-terrain KM's and I will be replacing them with a like set when they wear out.

 

[Seed Guy]

Toyo Open Country ATs I have them in a 305 and love them. Quite, well mannered, E load rating, same carcass as the Nitto. Here is a pic where you can see what a 305 looks like and what the tread looks like. I have skyjacker D25 springs.

#ad

 

[athompson]

Check out the MT/Rs

Believe it or not, the MT/Rs are really good tires for pavement. They handle much better than the stock Michelins did. They are even wearing better. I could only take the Michelins for 4400 miles. I guess the MT/Rs I put on my last truck spoiled me.



As far as size, 315s are what should have been on the truck from the factory. With your auto, you should install something like the TruSpeed so your transmission will shift at the right spots. Since I decide when to shift, I didn't bother. And I'm still trying to figure out how to shift into 7th

 

[Tulsa618]

Thanks for the feedback, Guys. I'm glad to see that your remarks tend to "legitimize" my 315/75 direction.



I guess the big question is how aggressive to go. I love the look of the the MTs, but think they might be a bit too aggressive for mostly city/highway driving. (Or would they... )



From everything I've been seeing over the past couple years (mostly on this site), the BFG ATs seem to more-or-less be "the standard", if a bit pricey. That would be my first choice - I just want to be sure they'd be approriate enough for the driving I actually do. How sensible would that tire be when the only mud they'll likely encounter will be what falls off the construction vehicles that will be around until my neighborhood gets built out?

 

[Oil Burner]

Do the 315's or the 305/70's stick out past the fender at all? I don't want to have to buy flares as the laws are strict in PA. I would be mounting them on stock 16x8 rims.

-Jason

 

[Snow man]

I have the Cooper 315 S/T's,they are very aggressive and I love them. I have 4. 10 gears,and the ratio is perfect. I wouldnt go with them in your case,the 3. 54 and auto will be a sluggish combo. Those tires really killed my low end,over the 285 's I have on my other rims. IMO, if you value your off the line power,stay with 285's.

 

[JStemann]

big O brand ??

I just had Big O brand AT's installed. I only went with the 285's since I don't have any lift ... yet. They do have them in 315' s, though. They aren't a very aggressive tread design kind of a "street AT".

I spend most of the time on the road and didn't want anything too aggressive. I've only had them on for about 3 days, so I can't really tell ya much about how they wear. I think they're rated for 50-60,000 miles.

I had the 285's installed w/ lifetime rd hazard for $682 @ big O in Oklahoma city. The 315's would cost more, don't know how much.



jeff.

 

[Scrappy]

tires

JSTULL;

I have 315's on the stock16x8 and they dont stick out bad at all if any. you can see for yourself if you look in my readers rigs gallery.

 

[Oil Burner]

Thanks for the info on the 315's. I am considering them over the 285's but haven't made up my mind yet.

-Jason