bigdogtruck

Hi all,

I was recently shopping for replacement tires for my Nitto 305 70r16's. I was in Arizona at the time, but live in California. The dealer told me he was not allowed to sell me a 305 tire for my wheel. He said it was too high of a rubber to wheel ratio and he said the biggest tire he could sell me was a 285. Does anyone know anything about this. He said it is a new safety regulation. I need to buy new tires for my truck. Performance, meaning having them drive well and last a long time, is my main objective. I haul about 1000 pounds all the time, and frequently tow a trailer so I buy 10 ply tires. Because my truck has a leveling kit on it, I think it might look a bit goofy with smaller tires. What do you guys think?

San Diego

Wicked500R

...Mail order them and have a repair shop install them ?

JPR Ram

305 70 16 are within an 1/2 inch height of 285 75 16; pretty much the same height 305's are wider tho, about 1 inch. Maybe he means that 305's can only be mounted on wheels with enough width. 305's are recomended to mounted on wheels from 8 to 9.5 inch wide wheels. Still never heard of such a regulation.

Valv

Looks to me the dealer had too many 285s and needed to reduce the stock.
I would find another dealer, and that's for everything else too

xtoyz17

Many on here will agree that a 285 is best well-rounded size you can go with. Mileage doesn't completely tank, they handle well in most conditions, and most importantly you're masculinity is intact when riding in your truck since it's not a "fat guy with little legs".

bigdogtruck

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the 285's are ok for the Masculinity of my truck.. that's important even though I am female :-) I'll ask around. Maybe it is an Arizona thing?

Val

JPR Ram

well, the difference between 305's and 285's is all most nil; both are just under the 33 inch mark. Maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch in height difference and 1 inch in width differance. If you want larger, try 315 75 16's. They are 35 inchs in height.

One thing you left out; what is thewidth of your wheels?

bigdogtruck

[QUOTE=One thing you left out; what is thewidth of your wheels?[/QUOTE]

I think that is the key question. The tires were supposedly too fat for the wheels, but that is what I've been running on for the last 80,000 miles.

Val

kawi600

Oversize tires like 35's on a 16" rim are going to be really unstable since theres so much wallowing and 'pogo' effect from the tires compressing and releasing with no damping to control it. At low speeds they will soak up bumps nicely but try to do any maneuver at speed they will be dangerous.
If you want larger tires Id look at larger rims that enable you to have less weight and better handling.
Ive got extra wide wheels on mine, 9" rim with 33x12.50 and I may have to install dually splash guards just to keep the muck off the paint. Wow.
your state probably requires fender flares to cover any additional width as well.

ironbutt

Recently I needed a replacement tire, and so I stopped at sams club. I wanted a matching Michlin 265 75 R16 .The clerk stated to me that the only tire they could sell me was a 245 75 R16 as their "book" stated that was the size that came on the 2002 2500 Ram. Only after showing them the receipt for 4 265 75 R16 load range E. From "Sams Club" did they reluctantly sell me a replacement tire. They explained that Management had set policy NOT to sell off sized tires, only original equiptment sizes.
So maybe that shop has similar narrow minded management. (tire was a blow out but was destroyed and so no road hazard could be assesed)

kawi600

Theyre probably trying to shield themselves from potential lawsuits arising from accidents with overzised tires. Honestly 265's arent going to do a thing.. when you get really large on a small rim is when the fun starts.

winkle

Bigdogtruck:

Go to Discount Tire there generally pretty good to sell you what you want.

Where abouts in San Diego do you live, I'm in Escondido but commute to San Diego. Maybe I'll see you on the road sometime.

JPR Ram

Hey Winkle, I live up in Murrieta and drive to the Miramar Way exit everyday (and back of course). Maybe we've seen each other?

Rare1

Costco also will only sell tires which are the OEM size. Corporate CYA tactic to avoid lawsuits from yahoos who don't know the difference between a safe fitment and a macho image.

winkle

JPR Ram:

I'll have to look for your truck. My truck is a red and silver 2 tone with a lazy front bumper (I rear ended someone a while back) and the paint on the hood is in bad shape. I'll have to put a pic in my gallery.

What are your work hours, I generally get to work around 8 am.