Time for new tires
98 12v 2500 5sp 4x4
Have on 285's which look good
Guess I have been over filling the tires to 80 psi (like my old 265's)
now the middle is worn, never did that before

One tire guy tells me its hard to get at 285 E rated, so they top out 65psi max (maybe he means lotsa lotsa moolah)
He says if I run 265s, I can get E rated, will handle higher psi, will actually tow better, and will do better in mud, since there's less width to turn
might get better mpg too?

I tow bumper pulls, mostly a 6000# horsetrailer with 3000# of horses
I only get mud getting out of my yard in the winter, I'm not 4x4ing in the mud (but it is towing the trailer out to the road, 100ft at the most)

I sure like the way the 285's look,
what do you think about his advice?

 

285s look better and yea a little hard to find in E range but they can be had. My beef is 285s are so dang high compared to 265s, and the 265s has alot more choices. I do like a bigger, wider tire though

 

If you like the BFG All terrain, it looks like they make the 285/75/16 in a Load E now. This will be my next tire. AND you can run up to 80psi in it.

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/specs...t-a-ko/44.html

 

Nitto makes the terra grapler in a 285 with a load rang e.

 

so I think you're saying
285s give a more comfortable ride?
I see I can get an E in 285s, but a D might do ok?

What about the mushy mud--is there that much difference between the 265 vs the 285?
thanks, Jenn i

 

IMO you want to stick to a load range E so you can get better wear and load capacity. 285s will look better and have more meat on the tires for mud traction, but IMO the 265s will give a more comfortable ride.

 

I ran load D 305/70/16 before and now have E rated 285/75/16. I guess I am in the minority but I see no value in high pressures: I never load the tires to the weight requiring 80 psi because that would load way over the axle rating. All that high pressure does is make the ride rough, wear middle of the tire out and shake the suspension loose.
I ran 305s at 45-50 psi and at 55-50 when towing and had absolutely zero problems. Even at D the tires are rated at or above the axle rating, so E is an overkill. My next set will be a D tire again, E is unnecessarily stiff for the weights we can realistically and safely carry.
JMHO.

 

I like the fact that the "E" rated tires have stronger sidewall. It helps the swishy feeling when I tow. I've heard to may horror stories about the sidewall giving out when loaded. I run my 265's @ 75 psi. I'm looking at going to a "E" rated 285/70/17 when it's time to replace my tires.

 

I agree, the stiffer sidewall does make a difference. We had an f-350 on the farm and the thing had "D" rated Dayton tires on it. It was down right scary hauling 10k worth of load. When we got new tires we went with "E" rated Dayton's and they were much better.

 

I appreciate the input

Can anyone address this?

RE: best mud traction (assuming same tread pattern)
a 265 would actually turn better and slip less when making turns in the mud
than a 285?
We're talking about at low speed...pulling off of a shoulder, or in my wet yard that has no roadbase

And does it change if I have tongue weight or not?
thanks

 

Toyo Open Country MT makes a 285 E Mud Terrain, or an All Terrain in the same size

 

Anyone know how the Toyos wear, compared to other brands?

 

Just my .02, but I run Yokahama 285 with load range E . They do well for me offroad, mud and great on highway with or without load. So far they're the best wearing tire I've used on my 99 3500. Cost me $1100 for 6 of em and full alignment

 

The Toyo's wear very nicely, I have the E rated M/T's they still look almost new with about 10k mi on them so far, they are a little high priced though.

 

I just installed Toyo Open Country AT E rated 285/70/17. Only have 200 mile on them so far. Much better than the stock BF crap.
Tow my horse trailer just mainly towing.