TexasCTD

Im changing my truck some. It's been "blacked out" for a number of years now and im currently running 35'' Goodyear Duratracs on Black H2s.

Im ready for a change and also thinking about upgrading toyhaulers to a larger 5th wheel model with slideouts and a separate garage area.

That said, im thinking of adding chrome back to the truck and going back to chrome polished 3rd gen wheels and running Nitto Duragrappler tires. Basically more stock looking than my current set up and probably with a chrome exhaust turndown.

Im debating whether to run 285/75/17s or 285/70/17s in the Nittos. I know the load ratings are 3970 and 3750 respectively....and both are E rated.

Does anybody have an opinion about one size or the other for towing heavy and looks? The 70's are going to be a few dollars cheaper. The 75's are very popular here and have a little higher load capacity. Will going to the 70's (33'' tire) make much difference in towing vs the 75's (34'') tire? Has anybody run both?

Thoughts?

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justen920

May I ask why are you going back to stock wheels? I love the look of the H2 wheels. I can understand going to 285's, that is my plan but I would put H2s on in a heartbeat. Your truck looks good.

Shorts

Well, my opinion is based a bit on aesthetics and a little practicality. I think the 285/75s look a little marshmallowish on stock wheels. That and them being a little bigger thinking it would affect mpg more (I do a lot of city driving), I went with the 70s.

TexasCTD

Thanks for the compliment! My truck is 8 years old and I don't plan on buying another one anytime soon. There was a point in late 05 and early 06 in my progression of changing my truck that I want to go back to. It was debadged, wearing the power wagon flares, and running 285/70/17 BFG ATKO tires. It had not been "blacked out" at that point. I liked the look and decided to do something different and go back to that.

The other side of the change, is functionality. I went on a long trip this summer pulling my toyhauler running these "D" Rated Goodyear Duratracs. I feel like they are to squirmy for what I do with them. They are great tires (for what they are) and are wearing like iron.....but I feel like they are hurting my mileage and making the truck work harder than necessary to tow. So if I am going to upgrade trailers (potentially to one very heavy) I want to make the truck more practical. Additionally, im getting older...LOL...and ready for a more stockish looking truck....at least for now.

I like the H2 wheels but mine are powdercoated black. I think I want to retry the backspacing of the stock wheels and also go back to chrome. I was going to keep them in storage a while and see if I want to change back at some point in the future or I may sell them. (I actually have 5 powdercoated black H2s in perfect condition).

That is my thoughts and reasoning behind the change for what it's worth.

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TexasCTD

I drive in the city quite a bit myself....soooooo that's why im not sure what size between the 70's and the 75's myself. IM sure either would be fine. But im trying to finalize my decision so I appreciate your input.

So you think the 75's would look to big...?? on stock wheels?

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wiskeyVI

I also consider going to stock ST rims as i like the looks, but mostly fir weight. the H2's are heavy...

I am running stock size Dura's now abd will go up to 285/75 soon.
I have 4:11s and think it would work well.
I also do very little in town driving. I'm not sure I'd swich if it were not for the gearing.

Shorts

I've never been a fan of "stock with big meats" look and I think the 75s are the first size (going from 265 on up) that starts to look a little funny. There are a couple Rams running around here that I remember seeing in parking lots. The 75s are well proportioned for the truck and wheel wells but it was the rims where they looked weird.

Since you're coming off 35s you'll see a change in your speedo and probably mpg as well. So, the difference between the 70 & 75 might not mean much.

I did the tire calculator last night to double check. Here's a comparison for the readership. Section width (11.22in) and rim diameter are the only things that are the same.

The differences are:
70s Overall Diameter: 32.70 in
75s Overall Diameter: 33.83 in

70s Sidewall Height: 7.85 in
75s Sidewall Height: 8.41 in
(This is where I think the marshmallow look shows)

70s Radius: 16.35 in
75s Radius: 16.91 in

70s Circumference: 102.7 in
75s Circumference: 106.2 in

70s Revs per Mile: 636.0
75s Revs per Mile: 614.8

70s Speedometer1: 57.9 mph
75s Speedometer1: 56.0 mph

70s Speedometer Difference: 3.490% too slow
75s Speedometer Difference: 7.059% too slow

70s Diameter Difference: 3.37%
75s Diameter Difference: 6.6%



Running city, rolling resistance is the name of the game for efficiency. The 75s will be heavier (they numbers didn't list weight difference between the two sizes).


That said I do think the 70s are edge of being small. But (I think) they look better on the stock rims.

All the above said, I haven't seen what 75s look like on an aftermarket wheel. For all I know they look exactly perfect (in my eye) and don't have a marshmallow puff if they are put on a slightly wider rim than stock. Anyone have pics??


Yea the H2s are slightly heavier than stockers. IIRC they are about 30-31lbs and the stockers are at 26-27lbs (polished al. alloys). I remember standing on the bathroom scale with each wheel when I boxed up and shipped my stockers to the buyer and weight my new-to-me tried the H2s for comparison.

Dodgezilla

285/75s look much better than 285/70s. I've run both and if I ever go back to bigger tires again it will be 285/75s.

surfram

Towing in overdrive at 65mph(3.73 gears-48RE), rpms will be 1,660 with the 285/75 and 1,715 with the 285/70. I think the 285/75s look better but may drop you out of the best towing boost/rpm depending on your towing speeds. I went with the 285/70 but I may try the 285/75 next time depending on availability. You will be happy with the towing stability of either size. My 285/70s are alot more stable than any other tire I have used. Regular D and E load range tires rated for 3,195lbs just do not compare to the Dura Grapplers rated at 3,750lbs and 3,970lbs.

TexasCTD

Thanks everybody for your input. I guess after looking at both sizes again and taking everybody's opinions into account.....I guess im leaning now on the 285/75/17s.

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Shorts

Sounds good man. Don't forget pics!

TexasCTD

I went with the 285/75s.....and I'm glad I did. The 70's probably wouldn't fill the wheel well enough. The 75's, imo, are just right.

These tires are so quiet and my steering is so much lighter and easier! Hopefully my mileage will go up.....but that remains to be seen. I'll try to get some pics up soon.....just been very busy. Thanks for the inputs

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rockcrawler304

I went with the 70's because the 75's were on national back order at the time and I needed tires quick before going on a trip.
My next set will be 75's. I have aftermarket wheels also and the slight bigger size I think will look better.

wiskeyVI

285/75.....Enroute right now.
FYI according to Nitto, the 265/70 size has a 40k warranty. I have over 67k on my current set.
The 285s do not have the warranty.

surfram

We just returned from towing our camper 700 miles. Every cabinet in the camper was full, full fresh water tank, and the fridge was completely filled. The back of the truck was full of firewood, a packed 100 quart cooler, and various camping gear. I ran my dura grapplers at 80psi front/rear. They were extremely stable. I can't see myself running any other tire unless something stronger comes out for the stock 17" rims.