Are these going to put me out of my powerband towing with a stock 3.73's?

 

I run 315 70 17's on my 96. Depends on how much weight you tow. I definitely know when I get over about 12k back there, but the tall tires actually put the engine in its towing sweet spot in direct (4th). 70 @ about 2150 is perfect for me. That's with 3.54's.

 

I tow a 32' 7000lb travel trailer about once a month. I was looking at the Nitto Trail grappler in that size. E-rating and I think it will cover my off-road needs as well. I know they measure a bit bigger at 33.5 inches, I just want to make sure that isn't too much of a tire.

 

How would a 315/75r16 do on my set-up?

 

Wheel width? I had 315's on factory steelies when I bought my truck from the p/o. Rode nice, but the tire was too wide for the rim to put any decent weight on it in my opinion.

 

That's a good point. I like the 295 size, seems like a good tire that isn't too big. I just wish they had a better selection. Right now it is between the Nitto Trail Grapplers and BFG KM2's. I'm just trying to figure out which one is better in the winter conditions, snow (deep and light), wet, slush, etc...

 

My 96 is the first truck I've run larger tires on (bigger than 32'') and I've found that a mud terrain actually works better than an a/t. I'm not sure why, but that's been my experience. My winter driving conditions are similar to what you describe. I've got a beautiful set of yoko a/t's on right now and they ahve been worthless. Maybe it's the extra width that's just not letting the siping dig in and do its job. Tossed a set of wore out 315 mudders on the back and had a lot more grip. I like a m/t for the look and the grip, but hate the road noise. It'll be a toss-up when I need new sneakers...hate to drop a grand on noisy tires...

 

Keep in mind that all the 03 and up models have 17" rims.

 

For heavy hauling I would suggest stock or 1 size over at best. You lose mpg & the mechanical adavantage of the stock size.

 

Well I can tell you the trailgrapplers will go thru 30" of snow....did it last winters for about 2 miles. first one on the road that morning.