I have done a few searches and cant really find what I am looking for.

I have an 03 and it has the bfg factory tires on it. I want something a bit more aggressive without giving up the e rating and keeping the stock size. I cant afford new wheels and I need to keep the gearing for towing. Otherwise I would be looking at the h2 wheels.

So, what are my options?

Thanks
Paul

 

There are few 265/70 17in load range E offerings. The other OEM tire is the Michelin A/S, which seems to get better ratings than the BFG OEM tire but per my experience is still mediocre in rain unless you add siping, and it's useless on ice.

Nokian is listing a load range E tire to be offered in the fall but it's a studdable snow tire, and although you could press it into service as an A/T I think that tire life would be bad towing on dry roads, especially in warmer weather. So far I'm leaning towards a set of these as snow tires.

Toyo initially listed their Open Country A/T as a load range E but now it might be just a load range D with a similar load index rating. A max tire pressure of 80 lbs would indicate a load range E, while the tires with a D rating seem to max at 50 to 65 psi.
It gets some good reviews for traction at places like 1010 or TireRack but also gets complaints about poor mileage.

Cooper is listing their studdable S/T and an A/T as a load range E. The S/T seems to be a light M/T or aggressive A/T. The A/T is advertised as having good mileage. If I don't get the Nokians the S/T with studs and additional siping is my next choice for a snow tire.

I'd like to get a A/T with decent rain and snow traction and decent tire life. Since they're available at a decent price as take offs and have decent life, I'm considering another set of the Michelin A/S and modifying them with a tire grooving tool. The siping that I added to mine gave them better traction in the rain, and more voiding or at least grooves would help off road or in deeper snow. From what I've seen so far the only thing that works on ice in all conditions are studs, so I'll rely on studded snow tires for that.

 

I buddy of mine has an 02 and he put on BFG A/T KO's. They last around 40K. I am not sure of the rating D or E that he purchased.

 

Interco Tires (aka Super Swampers) sell 10 ply tires (E rated) in almost all models.

http://www.intercotire.com