I am getting new shoes for the rig, and have narrowed it down to 2 options and 2 sizes. Here is the current truck with 285/70/17's on it.



I am looking at the following 2 options for tires - Either the Dunlop Rover M/T's, or the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac.

Then I am seeing what everyone thinks about the size. I can either stick with the same size, or go to the 315/70/17's what is everyone's thoughts

Here are the tires.

Dunlop

Goodyear

 

It all depends on the type of driving you do. Long distance highway, towing, and general around town benifits a narrow tire. Less mass, less rolling resistance, easier turn in.

Rock crawling, general off road, sand, and snow do better with a wider tire. More rubber contacting the surface.

 

I do some off road adventures when hunting and fishing. I would say that about 90% is on road. I do the ice fishing thing in the winter, so I do need a good tire on the snow and ice.

 

i thought wider is not better in the snow due to the fact that you will sit on top of the slippery snow instead of cut down to the grippy asphalt or dirt. thats what the tire shop guys are saying. opinions?

 

In theory, the narrow tire digs in better. But, most of the time you can't get down to the asphault or concrete surface. So you end up riding on top of it.

My driving is 99% street. Occasional fire roads, but no real off roading. I also drive it whenever the weather looks bad; I want the 4x4 for the ice and snow. But that's really like 10-15 days a year at most.

A few years ago I drove from Utah to CO in a blizzard. 35-40mph all the way across WY. The usual 10 hour trip took 15 hours. When we stopped for fuel in places like Rawlins, the streets had not been plowed, and the snow was about bumper height. The Michelins just dug in and went. We never had troubles, or slippage. Lots of other 4x4 vehicles were in the ditch, but not us.

I'm on my third set of Michelin LTX M/S's. Best all around tire I'v ever used. Quiet, durable, E-rated. When the roads are slippery, they dig in and go like a tracked vehicle; very impressive. I'm using the stock size/width.

On the highway they're smooth and quiet. With the E rating, I don't worry about weight, even though I'll probably never get close to max weight - my trailer and gear just don't weigh that much.

When these wear out in 60K miles, I'll buy another set. I can't say enough good things about this tire. Best all around tire I'v ever used.

 

Most of my driving is highway too. But I do not like a noisy tire. I just put on a set of Michelins 285-70-17 in the LTX A/T 2. I really like them. Quiet, nice ride and handle like the 265's I took off. The tread depth is also deaper than the original 265's I took off. Tire rack owners gave them good marks for tread wear, traction etc. The one thing that I noticed was that they are a "D" rated tire but have the same load rating as the E rated tires I took off. They also have the same sidewall cords as the E rated I took off. Don't know why they are D rated though. My tire guy said not to worry about it. I trust him. He has been doing tires a long time.

 

I'm loving my Nitto Dura Grapplers in 285/75/17... about 34" tall. Quiet and last like iron. Good grip. No complaints at all.

 

Yeah, I didn't wind up going with either tire. I wound up going with the Hankook tires again. I went with the Hankook ATM RF10 all terrain tires in the 315/70/17's. So far I like them. I don't think the tire shop balanced them well enough, so I think I'm going to try the balancing beads to see how well they work with the larger tires.

 

Good idea. I love 315's but have found they need either beads or the Centramatic Balancers to finish off the fine balancing.
And they keep tires balanced as they wear down! Added 4-5000 miles per set for me.
Both work equally well! I just got tired of buying new beads everytime I replaced tires, so got Centramatics.
315's are a bit harder on factory tranny but with 3.72 rear end you should be ok. (Dana has a 3.72 also... it is on my wish list)

RJ

 

What was the code for the centramatics that you purchased. I see that they have 2 options for the 8 on 6.5 spacing. I'm assuming that it would be just the standard 8 on 6.5, and not the one that is specified for the E-350 van.

 

300-308, with spacers. Spacers in front eliminate any rubbing, for me!
When I spoke with the guy at Centramatic (turned out I got the owner), he never even talked about the 308C, after I mentioned a Dodge CTD 2500.

RJ

 

I like the tall skinny option. It gives more weight per sq in of tread contact with the ground, meaning more traction. Also the narrower width has less rolling resistance & weight than a wider tire of similar tread and diameter, so better fuel economy. I own a ranch so I off road quite a bit so I went with a traction tire. Currently I'm running Toyo M-55's in 255/85R16E. I have a set of Rickson wheels just waiting for a good tire sale (size 245/70R/19.5)...

I would never run a D rated tire on a 3/4 ton truck, just not strong enough despite the similar weight rating.

 

I have the Dunlops in the 275 70 18. For my driving in the Alberta Oiil patch this is the best all around tire I have ever owned.

I am on a rig now & there are three trucks on location that have the Duratracs. All three trucks like the tires but two are gas. The diesel truck is the rig crew truck & the tires are worn past 50% in a year. Gravel eats this tire. I run the same roads & my Dunlops are wearing nice & even.

Both tires are a good choice but be forwarned that to achieve the mountain snow flake rating they are soft & will not last like a Michelin or a Bridgestone tire. Any tire is a compromise.

Dunlop has recently dropped tire sizes & no longer makes the 275 70 18 & I do not see the 315 70 17 as an option. They do make a 285 75 17 & it would be a good choice in my opinion.

As a last note if it matters to you BOTH the Dunlop Max Traction & the Goodyear Duratrac are made in the USA.

 

Looking for new tires for my 2006 dodge quad cab 2500 diesel i have BFG/AT 278-70-17 load rage D with about 35,000 on them. What would be the best tire for the money i do tow a bass boat. Ant help would be nice

 

my son has the Dunlop 315/70-17s and it looks sharp he also has 2" leveling kit its an 06 QC sb auto and pulls a 5 horse trailer the tires do pull a little power but it still tows fine