I’m currently running stock size (265/70R17-E) Michelin AT2s. I haven’t been happy with the Michelins performance in winter snow and slush so I’m considering replacing them with slightly larger BFG KO’s (285/70R17-E).

With about 95K miles on the truck now I’ve never experienced any signs of the dreaded death-wobble. But I’ve read a number of threads here and on other sites implying DW started after they switched to larger diameter BFG KO’s?

I’d like some feedback… are 285’s a big enough size increase to risk getting DW? Would stock size KO's be safer?

 

Hard to say. Probably just have to take the chance. I do know I have read many people with the BFG's have gotten the DW. The size isn't the issue. Just something with the BFG's. But then there are others that have had zero problems.

 

I ran 315's for 50,000 miles with zero problems. But alot of people have had problems.

 

DW isn't caused by just tires alone. It's a combination of the track bar, ball joints and steering. As I'm told from Shawn at Carli, the stock track bar flexes quite a bit when the wheel is turned. Replacing it with a quality aftermarket, adjustable track bar, such as Carli for example, will eliminate this. One thing to help take the load off of the steering box, keep it from wearing out soon and keep things tight is a steering box stabilizer. PSC or Solid Steel Industries has them for less than $200. Also, a good replacement steering damper/stabilizer (the shock mounted from the axle to the left-side tie rod), such as a Bilstein 5100, would tighten things up a bit more. From what I've been told, the dampers/stabilizers from Rancho, Pro-Comp and the other brands, don't work well at all.

If you'd like additional dampening, Carli makes an excellent high mount stabilizer that utilizes a Bilstein 7100 series shock that comes charged with nitrogen at 200psi. That is far too much and may cause a slight pull to the left. A couple very quick taps of the schrader valve should bring the pressure down to the low 100s yet still work well. Anything below 70psi and it's not doing anything.

When it comes to ball joints, you probably know that anything is better than stock. I've heard good and bad about Moog. Enough that it'd be hard to decide. XRF has received many good reviews, along with Dynatrac and Carli. McQuay Norris also has an extreme series ball joint that I understand is a few steps above Moog, yet still a good product and reasonably priced anywhere from $80-$90 each. It all depends on how much you want to spend and what you plan to do with the truck.

As for tires, load range E's wear a lot better on the front of the 4x4's compared to load range D's because the axle moves around so much as the suspension compresses and unloads. The track bar keeps the axle centered beneath the truck but as the axle drops it wants to pull the axle to the left, and vice versa, putting lateral load on the tires. The stiffer side wall of load range E tires will handle the additional load far better than the D's.

Sorry to ramble on but I just wanted to put in my 2 cents and pass on the information I gathered when researching all of this for my dad's '06.

 

I ran 285 Firestone Destinations on my truck and didn't experience any illeffects except the tires themselves.

I lost 3 tires while towing in 8000 miles. 10K But that was the tire, which that size has since been discontinued. I went back to the Firestone Transforce series, 265, which they supplied. The Goodrich are much better in the 285 size. But if you tow, check the specs.

You'll need to get the ECM set for that size.

Other than that, go for it.

 

I have that exact size on my wife's truck right now. They were on my '03 3500 from November '07 until I traded the truck in for my '08 in August '08, when they went on my wife's '06 2500.

We're pushing 3 years on that truck, and a total of almost 50k miles between her's and the '03, and no issues at all.




-Kris

 

I run the BFG 285 70 17 E tires myself with no Death Wobble. I do have the Solid Steel Brand Track bar and a Solid Steel Brand Steering box brace.

I really like the tires myself and think it makes look and feel better.

 

A good percentage of Dodge trucks come from the factory with BFG Rugged Trails, so I’m assuming there’s no DW problem with them or Dodge would put some other tire on?

Is the KO tire tread pattern or construction the problem or is it more related to larger size - more sidewall flex? I Recognize most contributing factors to DW is the overall front suspension health, but does the evidence seem to point to larger size BFG tires (especially the KO’s) as contributing factors?

 

I will only add my $.02 because I had a heck of a time with death wobble. I know there are varying opinions on the subject and the causes of the DW, but in my case I had about 30K+ miles on my 315's (BFG A/T) when I started getting the DW. After the first time I got it, it did it EVERY time over 70 mph. After having multiple tire guys told me that it was simply the tires, I got a set of Mickey Thompson MTZs. Ran those for roughly 30K and never had the DW again (not even once). Now I have about 20K+ on my Nitto Trail Grapplers and still (knock on wood) have not had DW once.
Don't get me wrong...I have always loved my BFGs (I know I have had 6 sets of them between M/Ts and A/Ts on diffrent trucks), but I can't help but think they don't mix well on these trucks. If I ever do get the DW again, I'm gonna' try the aftermarket track bar from BD or even Carli.
Not trying to steer you away from the BFGs...just telling you my experience with them "On this truck".
I think they look great, and if you get them I wish you all the luck in the world! DW sucks...I wouldn't wish it on anyone (especially if you have family in the truck with you). My wife wouldn't ride in the truck for 6 months (on the other hand...maybe that worked out well...)
Good luck!

 

Appreciate your input and it’s consistent with a lot of data I’ve read… the BFGs are probably not a root cause, but they may be a tuning fork to bring the problem to light. Dodge obviously has some inherent design flaw that can result in DW when the right sequence of component breakdown occurs. I’m thinking I’ll look for another tire. Thanks.

 

I love my Nitto Dura Grapplers. They are the same size you are looking for too.

Just food for thought.

 

I run this tire, in D rated,, no death wobble at all in 20,000 miles.

 

2 different sets of KM2 on my truck 305/65/17 E no problems

 

I have these tires in this size on my truck now. Stock wheels, I have about 30K miles on them, all suspension is stock, not even a leveling kit. No DW. Knocking on wood.

 

I put 55,000 miles on my last set of bfg's. they were 265 70 r 17. I just put a new set of bfg's on but went to 285 70 r 17 and have put 5,000 miles on them so far with no problems.