Dura Grapplers ? 285? 265? 235?

[therabbittree]

I need some tires, Debating on the new Dura Grapplers. I have been hearing great things about them. My Uncle has a set on his duramax and he just towed his 5th wheel from ny to alaska and back and he loves them. Any how, I have been running 285/75/16 Truxus Mud Terrains. The MPGs suck with them. I have a 5spd and 3. 07s so I am debating on going back to stock size to get more mpgs. But the stock weight rating is like 3000 lbs a 265 is 3400 and the 285s are 3750. . thats a big difference. The dura grappler tread design should yield more mpg in general even at a 285 size. . any ideas? tips. . looking to buy them this week.

thanks

Deo

 

[KOG]

I'm running 285 BFG All Terrain T/As on my '91. Can't comment on mileage as I don't use it like that except to say that it probably suffers from tires that size. I desperately needed the load rating on this truck. The real problem you have with that size if you want to use the 3750lb rating is finding a wheel. The stock wheels are 6" wide and the 285 requires wider. They really want at 9" wheel according to the charts. I'm using 10" Weld forged wheels which are only rated at 3400lbs. But the only wheel I could find rated for more would have been a steel from Stockton wheel.

If mileage is your real priority and you don't carry high loads you'd do best with the stock 235/75 or the nearly identical 245/70, both of which are rated at 3045 and both of which fit the stock 3045lb rated wheel. My '96 has 265/70s on the stock wheels from the previous owner and I haven't decided how to go with it until I figure out what I'll be using it for.

 

[therabbittree]

I have aftermarket mickeyt thompson classic II's on it . . not sure on the width but a bought themas apackage etc . . I do load the truck up a lot a nd pretty often. . It has the3 flat bed dump on it now so the extra load capacity does help... tough decisions etc. . i probably have to order them today or tommarrow i want to drive the truck to VA this Friday. the less aggressize tread pattern should help alot but a skinny tire with a 3700 load would be nice. . 19. 5s probably would fit that but they weigh a ton and the weight might offset the width/ rolling resistance advantage.

Thanks

deo

 

[csnider]

I run 235/85 Michelin LTX A/T (tall& thin) on both my w250 trucks(stock rims). I don't get stuck in the sand I get and average of 21. 8MPG pulling my 10' enclosed trailer and they last a long time with the best highway ride I've got from light truck tires yet!... ... . Not the cheapest tires but I'm sold on them now.

Quality ride. Zero road noise...



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[KOG]

I looked at 19. 5s too, but they cost about as much as they weigh. They will have a very stiff ride as well and won't have the flotation of the 285s.

 

[JLEONARD]

won't have the flotation of the 285s

Floatation? Planning on a trans atlantic crossing or pre-meditated hydroplaning? :-laf



What do you mean by floatation?

 

[MA2LA]

pretty much the wider the tire the better it stays on top of soft ground such as sand. the 235 will sink much quicker than the 285.

 

[AVerHage]

Look at the load ratings on the sidewalls, generally a 285 will be a "D" class tire, because it's the most common application, however most tire stores (who are competent, few are) can get you an "E" class tire in a 285 depending on brand of course, now if you're looking for an extreme high mileage tire that will cut through any on road condition you can imagine, go with a tall skinny Michelin LTX, the 235/85R16 pictured above are the best. I once had a '93 W350 SRW that pulled a 10,000 pound hydroseeder in the summer and pushed a BOSS 8'8" V blade in the winter, I can tell you they are perfect, they just don't look aggressive, and yes will dig holes if you get in deep sand.