BFGoodrich 285/70/17" Tires

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Anyone ever run these? I am thinking of getting a set but the last time I had BFGs I was lukewarm impressed with them. They seemed too soft and tread life wasn't quite as good as hoped. Part of the problem though was they were load range D with 3000lbs rating in a 265/75/16"



The 285/70/17" is also D but has a 3195 lbs rating, and with a slightly shorter sidewall my hope is they'll feel more stable. I am putting 17s on my '96 and BFG is the only tire I found in this size. I wanted 285s and there is virtually nothing in a 17".



Looking for thoughts and comments. Thanks!



Vaughn

 

[DPelletier]

Vaughn,



The 285 70R17 has a sidewall height of 199. 5mm. The 265 75R16 has a sidewall height of 185. 5mm. So the 285's have a taller sidewall not a shorter one. The 70 is the aspect ratio, which is a percentage of treadwidth, not an actual measurement.

I like the BFG AT KO's and I just installed the second set on my '02 TJ, BUT I wouldn't consider a set for my truck as they are too soft to run at maximum GVWR. It all depends on what you use your truck for. Mine is for towing and hauling stuff and given my useage will never have load range D tires on it. Many people make the mistake of assuming that a tire with an equivalent load rating (in pounds) means that it is just as stable, but load carrying ability and stability are separate items. A larger load range D tire with a 3400 lb load rating is not as stiff or as stable as a smaller load range E tire with a 3400 lb rating when they are both aired up to max pressure.



Depends what you're doing, I've always considered function to be much more important than looks, but I get the feeling I'm in the minority.



Hope this helps,

Dave

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Thanks Dave. My other plan is to stick with the 265/70/17" Michelins that come on the 3rd Gen trucks because they're a nice tire and have great sidewall strength. It would probably be a better way to go. I do plan to tow sometimes, and I'm not looking for tons of traction.



Vaughn

 

[DPelletier]

No problem,

I have the 235 80R17 Goodyear SRA's on my Dually and they're OK, but I'd rather have the Michelins that I had on my 2001 2500. Neither were good in mud or deep snow, but they have held up on the highway, are good in the rain and are quiet.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Another thing I could do is see if I can snag a set of the new 18" tires that are optional on the '05 Ford Superduty, they are Continental 275/70/18. But the thought of Ford wheels on my Ram just doesn't sit right with me



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tem=7942742852&category=43958&sspagename=WDVW

 

[DPelletier]

Not to throw another wrench in your plans, but I believe all Ford SuperDuties 1999 and up use a different bolt pattern than we do!



I wish that they'd standardize at 16" and 19. 5" so we have more tires to choose from. Now we have 15",16", 17" 18" 19. 5" and 20" wheels on pick-up trucks! sheesh!



Dave

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Yeah tell me about it! At least I'm glad to see they're breaking into the larger sizes because I've always thought it was time to move forward with a little lower sidewall for greater stability, and the trend has been to bigger wheels overall.



You're right about the bolt pattern, Ford uses a goofy 8x170mm or something like that which is off from the Dodge pattern.



Vaughn