TFerrari,
Sounds like a good choice. Can the BFG be studded? We have some serious ice problems here.
I agree about the load range D. I do load the truck up with some pretty heavy ballast for ice/snow driving but am still well below the GWVR. I wouldn't tow or haul anything heavy in those conditions anyway.
D is cetainly better than no rating. I did find a lot of 265/70 R17 winter tires but many were just a Q passenger tire rating- no good.