Considering BFG AT 315/70R17 tires?

[CMeese]

I could use the help and advice from those who have experience with these tires. I have stock Michelin LTX A/S in 265/70R17 load range E and wanted a slightly taller tire rated E (no more than around 34. 5 inch OD). Can't find anything out there!. I contacted Tire Rack about the 315 BFGs and they said this tire needs a 8. 5inch rim minimum. I have the optional 8 inch wide Al cast rims. they said also they may rub. I don't want to have the expense of new wheels or a lift kit. Does anyone have experience with the 315's on the stock 8inch rims like mine? I may be towing a 5iver in the future, so I wanted the load carrying range of 3000-3200 lbs per tire minimum. Thanks,

Chuck

 

[EEdmondson]

Nitto makes a 295/70R17 that's 33. 19" tall and BFG makes a 285/70R17 that's 32. 8" tall. Both are load range D but carry as much weight as the smaller stock E tires.

 

[Matt400]

For towing with an auto trans I would look hard at the 295 Nitto EEdmondson mentioned.

It will allow you to tow in OD on the flats. Going to the 315's would mean shifting out of OD for towing.

 

[HLewallen]

Tire rack is right about the 315 bfgs having a recommended minimum 8. 5" width, but I put them on anyway, the same as many others have here. I am not planning on towing heavy in the near future, so the D load rating won't hurt me much. I would have preferred an E load rating though, and was looking at the TrXus MTs from Interco. They offer a 33x12. 5 and a 35x12. 5 with E load ratings in a mud-terrain style tread with more siping than usual. In my case the bfgs were immediately available and much cheaper, so I folded. From what I have heard here, that E load rating is giving you sidewall strength you may not want to lose if you are going to tow heavy.



My 315s may rub at full lock, but man do they look good. Can't wait to test them off-road.

 

[RBoyd]

i have the 315's on my truck and i tow a trailer everyday and haven't had any problems yet.

 

[JKlopp]

If you have the 4. 10 gears changing to the 315's will make your ratio almost the same as stock tires with 3. 73 gears. Unless you tow heavy you wont have a problem. :-laf

 

[SHyans]

As diesel price rise, beware that with 315 your fuel consumption will too.

That said... .

Stock wheels and 315's for me ... . 2" leveler, very minor rubbing when wheel cranked to the extreme. Rides great.

 

[Tim]

How much fuel economy did you lose with the 315s? Is this corrected because of the speedo being off?

 

[SHyans]

How much fuel economy did you lose with the 315s? Is this corrected because of the speedo being off?[/QUOTE



I don't know cuz I put them on right away... .

I just read a lot of posts on mpg's and the guys with stock or tires smaller than the 315's are they are getting MUCH better mpg's. Yesterday's calc for all city driving on last tank of gas was a dismal 12. 3. :{

Speedo correction has been done too.

Did I say: :{

 

[Tim]

I guess I'll take your comments with a grain of salt. You didn't mention you have a box, pipes, and an automatic, too.

 

[SHyans]

I guess I'll take your comments with a grain of salt. You didn't mention you have a box, pipes, and an automatic, too.

I think that is why we post that info in our signatures... then we don't need to "mention" it everytime we participate in a thread.

My mileage was worse before the box and intake... . My mileage improved after those were added. Unlike some others guys, I added the box & intake for the possibility my mileage would improve, not to turn my Ram into a "dragster". I drive most of the time with the setting below 3.

I was getting 10 mpg city before the add-ons.

But we are off the subject...

 

[Prairie Dog]

Load range has nothing to do with capacity and (because of the much stiffer side walls) everything to do with stability, especially when towing. My experience has been that "D''s will cause you to suffer more from sway especially when a large rig passes you. You may not notice it on short trips but you will surely notice it on a long highway trip.

 

[TShores]

I'm running this setup. I get some rubbing at 90% steering lock. Enough rub that I am careful when cranking the wheel, and going over bumps, dips, etc.



I am huge fan of the additional traction, no comparison to stock tires. None. I tow a lot, and the difference in wet traction was unbelievable. I don't know how much of a mileage hit I took. Not pleased with my current mileage, but not sure if it is the tires or not. I'm getting 9. 5mpg towing (8k) and 14. 5 not towing. I'd like to be at 20 empty. Oh well. If I did it again, I'd probably go down a size.

 

[caseyd]

I am running 315's with a 2" leveling kit. No rubbing at all.

I also get the same mileage with the 315's as I did with

the 235's. It aint good but it's the same 13. 5-14 mpg.

 

[CATCRACKER]

i had them on my 03 they were junk! i would never buy again. . balancing issues

 

[Tim]

i had them on my 03 they were junk! i would never buy again. . balancing issues

You must be joking if you think you're going to say something bad about a BFG All Terrain, probably the most popular light truck tire ever made, and expect it to go over well with the people that have owned them.

 

[Matt400]

i had them on my 03 they were junk! i would never buy again. . balancing issues

I agree, I spent 8 years in the tire business selling all brands and the BFG's had the most out of round issues that you won't correct with a balance. The ones that were round seem to do ok until internal cord separation caused a radial pull. But... they do look cool and are cheap.

 

[SHyans]

I've been running these on all my trucks over the last "many, many" years for a lot of miles and have never had any problems. Not even a flat!

 

[Tim]

they do look cool and are cheap.

Cheap compared to what? Pro Comp A/Ts are $50 cheaper per tire for the same size and load range.



BFG's All Terrains are baja proven, quiet, long lasting tires, with great traction, probably the best All Terrain tire ever made. I can't believe what I'm reading here.

 

[CLAYTON]

I am on my 2nd set of BFG 315's... I don't have anything bad to say about them except I wish they were cheaper. They are great when I tow or just truckin down the freeway. Great all around tire.