Bigger Tires

[JStraw]

I need some new sneakers on my first genny and am wondering whats the biggest, best, all round performance tire we can install on a stock suspension and rims, while still being at least an 'E' rated tire? TIA

 

[JLEONARD]

I am running 265/75-16 D rated Yokohama Geolander HTS on stock steel rims. They are just about the same weight rating as the stock E rated that I replaced.

I like them a lot, truck handles so much better than with the E rated skinny tires. (and they were only $90 ea)

I have a 2wd and obviously don't go off road.

Jay

 

[Donniey1]

I have 285\75\16 BFG AT on my truck. They do not rub at all, I had Yokohama Geolander before and got 35,000 mile out of them. I don't know were he got his geo's from but I payed $175 a tire!!!

 

[JLEONARD]

I don't know were he got his geo's from

That's what they were advertised at in "The Tire Rack" , but I got them thru my son's repair shop.

The advertised mileage warrantee was up there with the Michelins and Goodyears... . I have easily 35K on mine and they have at least that much left or more.

Jay

 

[JStraw]

Thanks for the input Gentlemen. I thought that there may have been a wider choice/variety that members are using. Due to my heavy load usage of the genny, I need to stay at least with the 'E' rated tires.



My 04. 5 currently has Michelins that are totally worthless off road. The tread fills with any mud and all traction is lost. They also pick and flip every rock into the truck sides. That said, michelins aren't a contender for my W250 and its needs.



Anyone else using a different tire than the ones already posted?

 

[FSecosky]

You can check out the load ratings on TireRack, but I have had great experience with the MICHELIN LTX M/S. The last a while, are very smooth, they are just an all around quiet and quality tire. I had the LTX A/T on my last diesel (GMC) and they were more rugged and offroaded pretty well, but I think a belt broke inside one causing the tread to become wavy and irregular, so I just put that one on the rear so it did not cause a vibration in the steering. But, I have had the LTX M/S (as well as other members of my family) on probably 7-8 vehicles with no problems at all, and smooth ride down to the tread bars.

 

[Grey Wolf]

I went to a Bridgestone 265/75 RR16 "E" REVO and am happy with them. However per there spec sheet you'll need a wider rim, although I know some of the members on this board are putting 265's on their stock rims.....



You can check tires with reviews here; http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp

 

[ARhine]

I goto the local coop and by whatever looks good. I see no need to buy expensive tires as much gravel as I drive they are all shot in 35K miles. NO matter how much I spent on them.



I didn't like the look of the 265s on the stock 6" wide rims, so I stayed with 235s. Will go wider next time and get new aluminum rims to go with them.

 

[TKingsbury]

I am currently running Firestone Steeltex R4S in a 235/85r16. They are a good tire, but they seem a bit slick in the wet. I can't complain though, I paid almost nothing for them, they are in really good condition, and my fuel mileage is up since I took off the 35s. I have a set of these tires in a 265/75 on my dads truck, and they have a slightly different tread pattern and seem to be quite a bit better in the wet. Both sizes are available in "E" rating.

Travis. .

 

[RailroadJim]

Same as above on the steeltex, a little hydroplane when a tropical blows in down here, but other than that i keep em fanatically rotated and i love these tires, mainly for highway use, very reasonable and a myriad of sizes, they show maybe 10% used after a year and a half.

 

[JStraw]

Thanks for the info on the Firestones. I'll check into them.



By the way, is anyone running a commercial tire instead of an LT?

 

[RHancock]

I am running 285/75/16's BFG all terrains with stock wheels. . rated for 3500lbs each. does fine as long as you don't load it to the max... anything over about 6000 lbs on the rear axle and they get a little side sway in them in the corners. Not bad even with a heavy trailer. Something with a stiffer sidewall may do better in this size but I doubt it. The cup of the tire going back to the 6" rim is where it is swaying. .



If you are buying 8" wheels I really like 305/70/16's Goodyear MTR's on the wifes 97 land cruiser they are a great tire . Good stiff side wall even when we load it down with a 6-7k trailer and other stuff still really solid. Not too noisy for the pattern and are great off road. I only have 10k on them but everyone I talk to is getting about 40k out of them...



While I am thinking about it anyone know of a cheep 16x8 heavy duty steel wheel. . rated over 3500lbs ?????BTW I still want to run the stock caps and beauty rings. .

 

[ARhine]

is that 305/70 the same height as the stock 235/85s?

 

[RHancock]

no they are about an inch taller and almost twice as wide...