Tire size change question

[bcbender]

Hello all.

I have a question for the towing experts. Currently I have on my truck 275/70/18 BFGKo2 (33") and I am very displeased with the mileage so I am going to try some Nittos. My friend loaned me his 285/70/17 (34") tires and I really like having a little more go in 5th and find it more usable on back roads (rather than using 6th since shift point @2700 is about 65 not 60) I was considering to go with the 295/70/18 since is is almost the same size (34") as the ones on there now but was curious if that would be problimatic for towing my 5er. I have a 39' sandpiper and I am about 23,000 GCVW. Right now the current setup is good, just always looking for a little more.....

 

[RT395]

A bigger tire is going to have more mass which should lower your fuel economy shouldn't it?

 

[bcbender]

Yeah that is true, but typically only getting 11-12 towing the parachute (5er)

 

[Jim W]

The only thing I would look for is fitment of the tire. You may have rubbing issues lock to lock with a wider tire.
On my 2008, I run Nitto Dural Grapplers 285/70R/17 126R tires. I did check the tire to insure the tire clearance when mounted to Mickey Thompson Side Biter II rims before I ordered them. I didn't want any rubbing issues with them.
As far as fuel mileage difference there was none when compared to my Michelin stock tires (LT265/70R/17) on the truck.

 

[bcbender]

Thanks all!

I think for the added cost (~300) to go 1" bigger I will just stay with the 275/70/18s. They work well and no need to "go bigger". Then I dont have to worry about need for level kit, or rubbing, etc. I am hoping to see better wear results with the Nitto Ridge Grappler, right now I have the Dura Grapplers (as a test fit) and they went well beyond 40k miles on my friends 3500.

Cheers!

 

[RT395]

ahhh.. I now see that by mileage you mean how many miles you are getting from the tires.

 

[bcbender]

Yeah I was really disappointed in the "new" KO2. I have run BFG tires on almost everything for 30yrs and had good luck but these were basically gone before 30k miles with regular rotations. I am still debating internally between 34" and 33" tire but its hard to spend another 25% of just a little bit more. If they were closer in price I would do it!

 

[GrantP]

Yeah I was really disappointed in the "new" KO2. I have run BFG tires on almost everything for 30yrs and had good luck but these were basically gone before 30k miles with regular rotations. I am still debating internally between 34" and 33" tire but its hard to spend another 25% of just a little bit more. If they were closer in price I would do it!

Like you, I've run BFG AT's since I've been buying tires. The first set of KO2's I purchased a couple years ago developed huge sidewall cracks like someone sliced them with a knife. I don't think I got 30k out of that set. Very happy with my Nitto Terra Grappler G2's now, not looking back.

 

[RT395]

I also run the KO2's and I'm only getting about 30k out of them but I keep buying them because they work so well on the snow and ice in the winter. It was explained to me that they work better than the original KO's but the trade off is that they are using a softer compound that does not Harden as much in cold temperatures making it grip the ice better (they also have better siping) - the softer compound wears faster.

 

[bcbender]

I also run the KO2's and I'm only getting about 30k out of them but I keep buying them because they work so well on the snow and ice in the winter. It was explained to me that they work better than the original KO's but the trade off is that they are using a softer compound that does not Harden as much in cold temperatures making it grip the ice better (they also have better siping) - the softer compound wears faster.

Agreed!

Im going to put a set of 35/12.50s on my bronco