Largest practical tire size

[Gordon Maney]

I am buying my 2001 2500 with the 245/75 tires. I intend to put 255/85 16's on the truck when I get it. My experience with tires is that the 85 series profile works best for the four wheeling I am most concerned about, which is snow.

One tire company told me 265/85's are the largest 85 series tire you can put on without a lift kit. I have no desire for wider tires, as they just hang out of the wheel opening more, and throw rock on more body surface. I drive some gravel, you see...

It seems the 265 tire is only available from mail order houses, and not local tire stores, and that is why I consider the 255's, since they are locally available.

What opinions and experience does this group offer on tire sizes that will work?

 

[Cooker]

Gordon,

I'd have to agree with your tire choices. I was just pondering the issue of a 255/85 or 285/75. I think I'm going to end up with a 255/85 just because they do better on the sloppy winter roads than the wider 285/75. Rember wider is worse when it comes to sloppy roads. Although I find it hard to belive there would be a very noticable difference between the two with a 7000lb truck.

Just curious who makes the 265/85? Other than Dunlop who els have you found that offers a 255/85?

Ryan

 

[KPancake]

Just my . 02 cents worth. I would go with the 255/85 16's. They are a really good size tire and they don't rub at all. They also seem to really fill up the empty spaces in the wheel well. Hope this helps.

Chris

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2001. 5 2500,QC,4x4,ETH/DEE,Dk. Garnet Red,Agate Interior,E-Brake w/shifter switch,3. 55LS,silencer ring AWOL,straight-piped, Gooseneck Hitch with Drawtite brake control, every option but leather. 3500 miles as of 5/12/00. Accessories on the way include:Gauges, K&N.

 

[Gordon Maney]

Replying to Ryan's question... .

That size is made by Firestone, Bridgestone, Kelly, Cooper, BF Goodrich, and Dunlop. Possibly others, as well.

With the preponderance of 16 inch truck tires, I am surprised there are not more, and that some of the mainstream manufacturers are not producing a 265/85.

 

[JRG]

I RUN THE 285/75 W/O ANY FLAIRS AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS. AS RYAN SAID, IF THE ROADS ARE SLOPPY, THE SKINNIER TIRES WILL DO BETTER PROVIDED YOU CAN GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SLOP.

HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE RUNNING IN THE DEEP STUFF YOU WILL WANT THE WIDEST TIRE YOU CAN LIVE WITH. THIS IS BECAUSE THE WIDER THE TIRE THE MORE FLOTATION.

JRG

 

[boonsur]

BFG 295/75 A/T's will fit fine - Look great!

 

[TMc]

I run 255/85 BFG muds in the winter for the snow (awesome) and then switch over to 285/75 AT's in the summer. The 255's are about 1 to 1. 5 inches taller than the 285's and have the best fit for the truck, but I like the look of the 285's sticking out from the wheel wells.

good luck !

 

[dieselboy25]

I love my BFG 295's too. Fill up the wheelwell nicely without sticking out too much on 8" wheels. They dropped my rpm's about 300. Still able to start in second gear in almost any situation. Just remember that speedometer is lying to ya with those new wheels unless you get your computer corrected.
Eric

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1999 2500 QC SB Sport White. Every option except that auto thing.
BFG 295/75R16. Panther 16x8. Tuff County 2" Spacers.

[This message has been edited by dieselboy25 (edited 05-16-2001). ]

 

[KWIKKURT]

I want to buy MICH 265/75/16 LTX A/S anyone have any takeoffs???? THx KwikKurt

 

[bowhunter]

My 2 cents

315/75/16's look great and make the truck look mean. I run Alcoa rims with less backspacing than stock. All you have to do is get a 2. 5 Tuff-country leveling kit and then some 315's. I haven't rubbed at all, of course I don't do a lot of 4-wheeling.

I've ran 285's, 295',s and now the 315's. The 315's are the biggest that I would go without a suspension lift.

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97 2500 SLT Reg cab 4WD, Emerald Green and Driftwood, 3. 54 gears, 2. 5" Tuff Country Steel Coil Spacers, 315/75/16's on Alcoa's, Trailmaster SSV shocks & SSV steering stabilizer, Holcomb Air, Amsoiled,4 inch exhaust, turbo to tail, stock--#10 TST plate and AFC Spring Kit thats waiting on a new clutch

K. Kinion

 

[pcorssmit]

I'm real happy with my 255/85R16 Remmington Wide Brute RVs, they stick out just enough with aftermarket 16x8's. Work great in the snow, and fill up the wheel well nicely. I have a 2 1/2" coil spacer, but put the tires on first and it was OK then too. Just wanted it taller.

Pete

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'97 2500 CC 4X4 5spd Sport
'83 K5 Blazer 350 TBI (ex 6. 2), 39. 5 TSLs, 3" lift, Dana 60/GM 14 blt, Detroits

 

[JBechtel]

I just bought the 255/85 Dunlop Radial Rover RV's last week. Drove on them to North Carolina and back. Nice ride, nice fit. Have not had a chance to go offroad yet but they have an aggressive tread pattern. So far, I'm pleased with them.

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Jeff Bechtel
1997 RAM, 2500HD, Standard Cab LT, 4X4, 4. 10 Limited Slip Diff, Automatic, Long Wheel Base, 7. 5' Meyers plow, factory bedliner, ARE K-series cap, Smittybilt Nerfbars, Drivers Design 3 piece bug/stone deflector,
VentShield step shields, Rancho 9000's, Rancho stabilizer, 255/85X16 Dunlop Rover RV on stock steel wheels

 

[.44 mag]

What kind of an RPM change is noted at freeway speeds going to the 255/85R16 from the factory 265's. I bought this truck with the intent on going to a larger tire size ( 4. 10 gears, snow plow prep, etc. ). I also find the 255 BFG mud tire available locally and have thought about running that size. I guess I'm trying to stuff the tallest tire I can find under this rig without needing to lift it. I like the look and ride of a taller tire and am hopeing to split the difference between my 4. 10s and the 3. 55s.
Thanks for any input.


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2001 2500HD quad cab SLT 4x4: auto trans, 4. 10 gears, all heavy duty options.
Also in the Dodge fleet: '63 M-37B1, '64 W-200 crew cab, and a '69 Charger
Henri Raab
Redwood City,CA

 

[pcorssmit]

I think it dropped my rpms about 6-7%, going from 245/75s to 255/85s. I used the mile markers on the interstate to check it, then bought a new gear for the speed sendor.

Tallest I've seen on a stock truck was 315/75 Big O's, on stock rims, on my friend's 2001 reg cab 4x, w/ snow plow prep and camper package, he said they only rubbed the control arms at full lock.

Pete

 

[Ted Constantine]

I am running 255/85 bfg MTs. They were great year round in Wyoming when I lived there but in Mass they suck on ice and are pretty loud on the high way. They are on their last legs and soon will be replaced with a set of 295 ATs. 265/85 is a size that i have only seen in some mudders (buckshots I think) but when I looked at the dimensions they were identical to the 255s. I don't understand the reason for two different sizes.

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2001. 5 2500, quad cab, 4X4, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 LSD, 255/85 BFG MT, BD Exhaust Brake, JRE 4" exhaust, EZ w/ elbow, 275's, SPA, Amsoil Dual Bypass Filter, Amsoil under the hood (soon to be everywhere else), Leer topper, Piaa driving 510's in bumper, Line-X, Stereo= JVC KD-MX3000, MBQuart 6. 5 components in front doors, 6. 5 coax in rear, JL Audio Stealth Box sub in center seat, Fosgate 400a4 and 250a2 amps, DynaMat everywhere