I took a chunk out of the sideway of 1 tire last time out 4WD'ing. It is a 3 ply sideway and I hogged out though 2 of 'em. Unfortunately, all tire tread is down enough that due to sufficent wear I cannot just replace the one... all 4 need to be replaced.
Stock size is LT 265/ 70R17.
Looking at 3 options:
A.) BFG KO- 3 ply sideway, E rate, 3195# load capacity. LT 265/ 70R17 (stock)
B.) Toyo Open Country A/T- 2ply sideway, E rate, 3195# load capacity. LT 265/ 70R17 (stock)
C.) Toyo Open Country A/T- 3ply sideway, E rate, 3970# load capacity. LT 285/ 75R17 (1 size larger)
I would like the higher wt. rating of the larger tire, but speedo would need to be corrected and I would need to verify the truck (w/o TC) could fit in my garage. It just fits now. The higher wt. rating is in anticipation of my next TC. The 3 ply sideway is a plus for opening reason stated.
The BFG has the 3 ply, but lower weight rating (compared the the Toyo 285.)
Is the sideway construction what gives a tire it's stiffness (i.e. less sway?)
The Toyo's have a supposedly higher "stiffness" for less sway (so I have read??) Is this only on the 285 due to it's extra sideway ply? Would the stock size have the same characteristics in only 2 ply?
I like the idea of the 285's, but I would need to buy 5 instead of 4 and would have to verify spare tire location fitment. Would have to rotate 5 and not 4 (need to buy new rim to match.)
My "ideal" tire would be: Stock size, 3 ply sidewall, E rate, 3970# load capacity. Is there such a beast?
If you want more stiffness, you're going to have to go to a Bias Truck tire. The denmans I'm putting on the back with the super-single rims are 14-ply, all around. Stiff as a brick, but then they're meant for heavy loads and hence why I am using them.
CBChannel 17Space Ghost '1991.5Dodge W-250 Power Wagon - Club Cab Long Bed V8 5.9L 4spd H.D Auto 4x4 4.10 Gears '1974KIT Kamper 1106 - 11' Slide-in '1987Pullman Mini Camper '2004Bi-Mart 4x8 Cargo Trailer
I've had both BFGs and Toyos, and went with the 285's. After a couple sets of BFG/AT/KO's, the sidewall cracking issue was too much for me. If you put 30k mi. a year on your rig, you won't see the cracking before the tread wears out.
If they will fit in your garage, I'd get the higher weight rated Toyos. But, know this: I don't think a 285 will fit between the frame rails under the rear like the 245/265's will. Check that to make sure. I kept the original size as a spare just because it would fit in the stock spare location. I have used it a couple times and that Michelin may have a grand total of 75 miles on it. push come to shove, you can always limp into town with too-small spare.
With a stiffer, taller sidewall, what you really need to measure is the loaded radius. That will tell you if you can fit in your garage. I had that problem with my Jeep. I had to remove the 2x2 wood moulding over the door to get it in, and there was still only 1/4" clearance.
Oh why can't it ever be simple?
regards, as always, jefe
'01.5 Dodge 3/4T, CTD, HO, Qcab, SB, 4x4, 6spd, D60, D80+Pwr Loc,
camper&tow pkg,Titan V, 285/75R-16 frnt, 33/14.5 Nitto super singles rr,
Rancho 9K's, Warn M15K winch. tows Jeep CJ8 rock crawler on 14' trailer
'98 Lance Squire Lite 165s, 8' 6" X Cab
d3500ram wrote: I took a chunk out of the sideway of 1 tire last time out 4WD'ing. It is a 3 ply sideway and I hogged out though 2 of 'em. Unfortunately, all tire tread is down enough that due to sufficent wear I cannot just replace the one... all 4 need to be replaced.
Stock size is LT 265/ 70R17.
Looking at 3 options:
A.) BFG KO- 3 ply sideway, E rate, 3195# load capacity. LT 265/ 70R17 (stock)
B.) Toyo Open Country A/T- 2ply sideway, E rate, 3195# load capacity. LT 265/ 70R17 (stock)
C.) Toyo Open Country A/T- 3ply sideway, E rate, 3970# load capacity. LT 285/ 75R17 (1 size larger)
I would like the higher wt. rating of the larger tire, but speedo would need to be corrected and I would need to verify the truck (w/o TC) could fit in my garage. It just fits now. The higher wt. rating is in anticipation of my next TC. The 3 ply sideway is a plus for opening reason stated.
The BFG has the 3 ply, but lower weight rating (compared the the Toyo 285.)
Is the sideway construction what gives a tire it's stiffness (i.e. less sway?)
The Toyo's have a supposedly higher "stiffness" for less sway (so I have read??) Is this only on the 285 due to it's extra sideway ply? Would the stock size have the same characteristics in only 2 ply?
I like the idea of the 285's, but I would need to buy 5 instead of 4 and would have to verify spare tire location fitment. Would have to rotate 5 and not 4 (need to buy new rim to match.)
My "ideal" tire would be: Stock size, 3 ply sidewall, E rate, 3970# load capacity. Is there such a beast?
All opinions appreciated.
-frank
Don't believe the number of actual plys gives you the stiffness , the rating does ( E rated , etc, ). That's why the 2 and 3 ply E rated tires in 265 have the same weight rating . The 285 has more weight rating because it has more surface area , not necessarily more stiffness . For that you would need to go up in rating to G . Most C , D , and E rated tires have 2 plys but the thickness of the plys are different. That being said , the 285's may feel stiffer because you will not be using as much of it's capacity for the same load , they will also affect your gearing which could be good or bad .You will also need to check if your rims are able to handle the higher psi.
d3500ram wrote: I think I have found the happy medium here in stock size: Big "O" X/T.
Weight Capacity Up to 3,415 lbs. Per Tire
I have had Big "O" in the past and I really like them on my car. This would be the first truck tire. Their warranty and road hazard is second to none.
Frank, I had Big-O XT studded, for winter use, and Big-O AT for summer. I was pretty happy with them, especially after the XT went to a 3415 rating. I had JUST bought a new set of 4 before I bought my new rig so my friend who bought the truck got brand new studded snows. At least the summer tires were worn..... I owuld say they wore OK....not great, not too bad. But I thought they worked very well in deep snow, and in the ice/hard packed with the studs. If you are keeping your truck, and based on where you live, getting AT's for summer and studded XT's for winter is a great combo. Costs twice as much, but will last twice as long.
PS: I also had a nice set of Aluminum ALCOAS (higher strength rating) for the summer tires and the stock steels for the winter tires.
btggraphix wrote: ...I had Big-O XT studded, for winter use, and Big-O AT for summer. I was pretty happy with them, especially after the XT went to a 3415 rating.
I just called tech support at Big O... the 3415# is for the 18" wheel with a load index of 123, unfortunately the LI for my size is only 121 which translates to 3195# with only 2 ply sidewall
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