Off Roading Denman Coyote 305/85R16s

[CyberRanger]

OK, I know these tires are out of production. I have what may be one of the last sets produced (manu'd Apr of '02). Trouble is, I have one that won't balance any longer & another that vibrates badly even though it balances.



I just got off the phone w/ Denman & they said they may do a production run if they get enough interest. What's enough interest? Possibly 50 sets of tires or 100-135 tires total. For a group this size that shouldn't be hard. If we can buy as a group, we may get a better price. The man who makes the decision is Jim Pearl, Senior Vice President of Sales at Denman. His e-mail is -- email address removed --. If you are interested in these tires drop him a msg. Denman is the only manufacturer who makes this size tire in a non-super aggressive tread design. Ours are studded as well.



It is a 10-ply rated tire & I've seen them go 100K miles. I have them on my '02 4x4 on stock rims w/o any suspension modification. Earlier Rams may require a 2" suspension leveling kit to fit them. We're bummed we can't get them replaced & our only option now is to switch to an 8 ply 315/75R16 (34. 75" tire).



Let's see where this goes. I'll try to post a photo of our '02 w/ them on it. For now here's a link to photos of them on my '71 Chevy K20 before we put them on the Ram.

 

[GO 4LO]

If the set you have now won't balance, why do you want another set of the same kind?

 

[CyberRanger]

I'd like more of this same tire because this is not a typical problem w/ the Coyotes/Denmans. When I first bought them it wasn't a problem. They all balanced fine. I've been around the tire business long enough to know that there are bad batches of tires & those two were produced at same time, hence the same/similar problem. The other three were produced 1 & 2 weeks later. They're fine. Something was apparently off the week or day those 2 were made.



This happens to virtually every make & brand of tire on occasion. I've seen almost entire truck loads of tires (if they're the same size & type) get shipped back to the manufacturer. These are also pretty big tires, i. e. , lots of rubber, even more than a large truck tire. In fact these are the same height as your typical 19. 5 tire, but on a much smaller wheel. With that much rubber the potential for problems does increase, but Denman is very good about not lettin' stuff like that happen.



I'd take another set of these in a heartbeat if I could find 'em.

 

[SS]

Originally posted by CyberRanger

These are also pretty big tires...

I'd take another set of these in a heartbeat if I could find 'em.

I would buy more if I could too! I've had several sets and have been quite pleased. Taller than a 35" Swamper without being ridiculously wide, streetable tread, and reasonably priced. Also rated for 3400 lb per tire. Denman stopped making them shortly after they started selling the high load capacity version - much improved over the earlier 2400 lb rating. There was even a photo of a dually with these tires in the TDR magazine about 2 years ago.



If you even think you might be interested, email Denman as above.

 

[CyberRanger]

The dually in the TDR belonged to a Scott Walker. I was able to talk to him about the clearances before we put ours on.



It is lookin' like the problem isn't a balance or out-of-round issue as much as it may be a tire movin' rotationally on the rim. I should know more by Monday on that.



The folks at Discount Tire seemed open to maybe talkin' to Denman about doin' a production run on these tires & possibly continuing to do so. I'm goin' to pursue this further next week when I can talk to a regional manager.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Does anybody know what size spacer Scott Walker had to use to fit the Denman 305's on his dually, and what year wheels he had? If they were 2000 newer or older?

 

[GO 4LO]

Originally posted by CyberRanger

I've been around the tire business long .

What do you do in the tire business? Just curious. Good luck on the next set - hope it's a better batch this time - and be sure to post pics of your truck .

Chris

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I ran the LT305/85R16 Denman Coyote for about 6 years. I had a few problems but still loved them.



After about a month 1 tire developed a big bubble in the side wall. Dismounted it and sent it back to National Tire @ wheel. They sent a new one N/C.



Then last spring 1 tire developed a bubble across the tread. The tire guy said it must have broke a belt. With it dismounted the area that had the bubble felt really thin.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=646714

I belive these problems were caused by the tire being a 6 ply, and were really not strong enough for the front end of our trucks.



I would have loved to try their 10 ply Coyote that was released before the production stopped



These tires really fill up the wheel well on the dodge truck. A true 36" tall.



With just leveling springs on the front, running these tire I had absolutley no contact anywhere. This was on the OEM steel wheel and 8" wide M/T Challengers.



Now with a Bad Coyote tire and no way to replace it ( Maxxis Buckshot mudder comes in a 305/85R16 but I did'nt want to mix them) I had to look for a new set of tires.



I ended up ordering Explorer Pro Comps LT315/75R16 during the "buy 3 get 1 free" promotion.



Even the well worn, dismounted Denman Coyote's towered over the 315/75R16's. HUGE size difference.



These tires should last me 5-7 years, so I'm really not interested in buying new rubber.

 

[CyberRanger]

Originally posted by Turbo Tim 1

Does anybody know what size spacer Scott Walker had to use to fit the Denman 305's on his dually, and what year wheels he had? If they were 2000 newer or older?

If I recall correctly, Scott's was a '98. He used a 2" leveling spacer w/ the stock coil.

Originally posted by GO 4LO

What do you do in the tire business? Just curious. Good luck on the next set - hope it's a better batch this time - and be sure to post pics of your truck .

Chris

Oh, I worked in tire shops off & on during the '80s, at first just bustin' tires, later did FE alignment & 4x4 axle rebuilds, & before my Army days I worked in a 4x4 shop doin' accessories, repair & customization. While I was in the Army I dabbled in 4x4 rebuilds, some customization & tires & then have continued dinkin' w/ 4x4s since I got out on a medical & am now on disability. Anymore its a hobby when I feel good enough. I have several friends who still have shops & we all also belong to a 4x4 club(s).



Funny, how the tire business hasn't changed all that much, although the variety of types & sizes & vehicles has changed a whole lot. Tires are a heck of a lot better than they used to be.

 

[CyberRanger]

Originally posted by HEMI®Dart

I ran the LT305/85R16 Denman Coyote for about 6 years. I had a few problems but still loved them.



After about a month 1 tire developed a big bubble in the side wall. Dismounted it and sent it back to National Tire @ wheel. They sent a new one N/C.



Then last spring 1 tire developed a bubble across the tread. The tire guy said it must have broke a belt. With it dismounted the area that had the bubble felt really thin.



I belive these problems were caused by the tire being a 6 ply, and were really not strong enough for the front end of our trucks.



I would have loved to try their 10 ply Coyote that was released before the production stopped



These tires really fill up the wheel well on the dodge truck. A true 36" tall.



With just leveling springs on the front, running these tire I had absolutley no contact anywhere. This was on the OEM steel wheel and 8" wide M/T Challengers.



Now with a Bad Coyote tire and no way to replace it ( Maxxis Buckshot mudder comes in a 305/85R16 but I did'nt want to mix them) I had to look for a new set of tires.



I ended up ordering Explorer Pro Comps LT315/75R16 during the "buy 3 get 1 free" promotion.



Even the well worn, dismounted Denman Coyote's towered over the 315/75R16's. HUGE size difference.



These tires should last me 5-7 years, so I'm really not interested in buying new rubber.

I made a similar mistake running a 6 ply Buckshot 305/85R16. I blew it out on I-25 at 75-80 mph in my Chevy on a 104º day. Talk about a large "boom"!!! Scared the livin' daylights outta me & the kids. I was in the left lane & was in the midst of a right hand curve on an overpass. I ended up clipping the guardrail w/ the left rear quarter & went down a pretty steep embarkment in the median. We were very fortunate to keep the shiny side up. I had a 6' long chuck of tread flappin' around under the truck & it really did a number on the fender behind the tire. I had virtually no load in it, but I may have taken a small chunk out of the tire 4 wheelin' it & didn't realize it. (Found a similar problem on the other rear tire).



Lesson learned there. My Chevy runs about 5800lbs empty.



If we can't get this problem solved, we'll likely go to the Cooper Discoverer S/T LT315/75R16 8 ply which is supposed to be 34. 75" tall. Not only that, I can stud them. I had some 285/85R16s Discoverers on the Chevy at one time & loved 'em despite bein' dinky tires. They road well, were quiet & had great durability.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Originally posted by CyberRanger

If I recall correctly, Scott's was a '98. He used a 2" leveling spacer w/ the stock coil.

What I mean by spacers was for the rear end, did he have spacers between the wheels?

 

[CyberRanger]

Originally posted by Turbo Tim 1

What I mean by spacers was for the rear end, did he have spacers between the wheels?

Sorry. Minor brain fart there.



As I recall I don't believe he needed any spacers b/c he was usin' aftermarket wheels which provided enough offset, although I could be wrong. I can't find that issue right at the moment. I'll have to dig up his phone number & call him. He'd be interested in this discussion anyway.



These puppies are pretty narrow, although they do call for an 8" rim as standard. I'll see what I can find out.

 

[Chipstien]

Anyone got pics of the tread design? This is the size I would love but only one other makes it that I know of..... Buckshots. However those tires don't last but 20,000 mile so needless to say I did not get them. I currently have about 5000 on a new set of Dunlops so obviously I do not need tires now but maybe you guys can get them to start producing them again. Good luck.

 

[2broke2smoke]

bunch of guys around here ran 'em ... everyone loved 'em ... i'm in for a set if we can get 'em in the next few months

 

[y-knot]

You guy's must be sniffing glue if you really believe you can run 305-85-16's without a spacer. Well I guess you could run them, but not without some serious rub, Is that how your tire blew???

Anyhow, I run a 1-1/4" spacer for my 255-85-16'2, both the BFG M/T's and the Trexus M/T's, leaves me about 3/4" free space. I also pull a very heavy GN, it weighs around 16,000lbs and has a pin weight of 3,700 lbs. If you do run the larger tires and load your truck, make sure you have plenty of room between the tires. That needed space will vary greatly between tire brands, and their rated load capacity. Lighter rated tires will squat more, and need more distance between them.

 

[EricBu12]

Heres a pic here

http://www.gag.com/~cabell/tirechoices.htm





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[CyberRanger]

Originally posted by y-knot

You guy's must be sniffing glue if you really believe you can run 305-85-16's without a spacer. Well I guess you could run them, but not without some serious rub, Is that how your tire blew???

Anyhow, I run a 1-1/4" spacer for my 255-85-16'2, both the BFG M/T's and the Trexus M/T's, leaves me about 3/4" free space. I also pull a very heavy GN, it weighs around 16,000lbs and has a pin weight of 3,700 lbs. If you do run the larger tires and load your truck, make sure you have plenty of room between the tires. That needed space will vary greatly between tire brands, and their rated load capacity. Lighter rated tires will squat more, and need more distance between them.

Later model trucks sit higher than yours, but you are correct on the dually issue. We only rub a tiny bit on the front in off camber situations unless the front wheels are fully cranked. At that point, I then get a little rubbing on the lower trailing arm for the front axle. There are no issues in the rear. I believe the '99s & later sat higher, possible the '98½s... not sure when that started.



Depending on sidewall design some tires bulge more at the sidewall at the same load rating & air pressure than others. These tires do not bulge much, even at lower pressures.



These 10 ply Denmans are a load Range E tire, have a max pressure of 65 psi, & are rated at 3640 single/3305 dual.



We also run a slightly narrow than called-for rim by about ½". Running narrower rims & narrower tires allows you a taller tire w/ less lift. For example, on my Chevy I'm running 10 ply 305/85R16 (equal to a 36/12. 00-16) Buckshots (36" on 6½" rims) on a 4" lift w/ very little trimming on the front fenders. A friend runs 6 ply 36/14. 50-16 Swampers on the same body style on 12" rims & has to run 8" of lift & hack the fenders massively. We both run the same height tire, but his tires are 2½" wider on 5½" wider rims & he runs into all kinds of clearance issues I don't even have to consider.



Much of the fit depends on wheel offset, wheel width, tire cross-section & tire bulge. All those must be considered. Even same sized tires from different manfacturers, say 315/75R16, can & do look & fit totally different.



Sorry Big Blue is so nasty. We just got home & the roads are still kinda messy & its too windy to clean the truck.

 

[Chipstien]

Hey CyberRanger, what do you think about the 305 Buckshots. How many miles do you get out of them.

 

[TBrennan]

Make them in a 17" tire and I'd get a set.

 

[CyberRanger]

Originally posted by Chipstien

Hey CyberRanger, what do you think about the 305 Buckshots. How many miles do you get out of them.

I really like 'em. I had to jump thru a lotta hoops to get this set for some reason. Seems like everyone likes to get Swampers of some sort or another, but they are worthless on ice & OK on snow. They work best in mud... Can't imagine why. I got the Buckshots for a number of reasons. They're 10 ply... I can haul stuff w/o havin' to switch tires. They're pinned for studs so i can stud them w/o havin' to find someone to pin them for me (can't find anyone around here w/ a pinning machine & I'm not comfortable w/ the idea of just drillin'). They're much quieter than the Swampers (but aren't quiet by any means!) They're narrow... perfect for the deep snow & the clay mud around here as well as lettin' me run a taller tire w/o a large lift. And I've been impressed w/ their overall performance for a lot of years.



Mileage? Dunno on the 10 plys yet, but I'd bet its a lot better than the 6s.



I had 6 plys & I didn't get great mileage out of them... maybe 22K-25K, maybe less, don't recall exactly. I chunked one & blew the other out before they wore out.



I just put the 10 plys on & I don't have more than 1000 mi on them so far. I don't drive it much (especially w/ mid-grade at $2. 09/gal).

:--)



I use the Chevy for occasional trips when my wife can't give up Big Blue & for 4 wheelin' & sometimes for huntin'.

Originally posted by TBrennan

Make them in a 17" tire and I'd get a set.

Someone else mentioned that to me for when I talk to Denman again. Not a bad idea. I'll throw it out to them.