Need new tires - what size?

[navyjoe]

I'm looking to purachase a new set of tires for my 98 (12V, quad cab, 8 foot bed, 410 rear end, with air-lift air bags) . I have both a truck camper and a 10,000 lb 5th wheel so I would like to get something biger than the 245ers.



I hear a lot of guys really like the "all steel" type claiming greater stability (like the michalen RIB). I have been looking at the 285/75/R16 load range D tire offered buy several vendors. Its a much larger diameter (33 inches vs 30. 7 for the 245). It will really mess up my speedometer but will improve my fuel milage some (maybe, since they do add have more friction than a smaller tire).



I also like the idea of the extra 4 inches of rubber on the road and the 2 extra inches of added width, but I would have to buy new rims since the factory units are only 6. 5 inches and you need an 8 inch rim for the 285s.



I'm pretty sure I can go with 265s load range E on my factory rims, but I wonder if I would be better of with the bigger 285 tire, or all steel or what ever.



I'm open for input. What has been your experience?

 

[DU516]

I had 265s on my 2500 they worked out good and looked fine. I have a buddy that has 295s on his He says they ride fine but I think they look balloned out.

 

[navyjoe]

Thanks for the input

 

[Diesel Gunner]

I am looking at putting LT295/75/R16 Nitto Terragrapplers on my rig. I have the factory aluminum rims and don't believe that I am going to run into any problems with rubbing and such. They are E rated for 3415lbs at 65psi. It is my hope that this will give me a better ride and I am very sure that I will have much better traction off road. IMHO I would rather run barefoot across a frozen lake than spend any more time off road with these Michelins.



If you are going to buy new rims, you might even be able to get the right offset to allow you to run 305's if you wanted to.

 

[dewdo]

If you plan to haul any heavy loads I would advise using the load range "E" tires no matter what size you get.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[BigMike]

I just put 265's on mine. Looks much better. Took it to the dealer to have speedometer adjusted, and after trying, for some reason they said it wouldn't work. So my speedometer is off about 3%. No big deal.



Be careful going too big if you want to maintain good bedrail clearance with your 5er. 265's are 1. 18" wider than 245's, so guess the height of my truck is . 6" higher than it was with 245's. I could lose that much clearance and still have plenty left.

 

[OnlyCummins]

Another option you might want to consider are 255/85's. They're normally E rated at ~3400#, are almost 33" in diameter & only 10mm (<1/2") wider than 245's so you could mount them on the factory rims.



If you really want a HD tire, one rated higher than E, then (AFAIK) you'll have to upgrade to 19. 5" rims which can be big moolah for the 'shiny' versions. Aside from higher capacity, 2 other advantages are a loooooong-lasting tire & most tires in that size can be recapped for ~$50-$80 per tire.



Good luck.

 

[Rattler]

Be careful if you go to BFG's in the 285 size. I went from the stock 245's to a new set of 8" rims and 285 BFG AT"s. At about 22,000 miles all four tires seperated between the ribs, i dropped back down to 265's because i did not trust the 285's anymore. My next set will be 305,s from nitto.