replacement or snow tires in 255/70x17?

[HankB]

That's the size that comes on the FX4 S-Crew according to the sales brochure. I just went to a couple of tire sales sites (Discount Tire, Tire Rack) to see what a set of snows would cost and they have *nothing* in that size.

Is that an odd or new size or am I just looking in the wrong place? I'm concerned that tires could be hard to find/expensive down the road. (I recall a road test for ??? an F150 a few years back where they had a flat and it crippled the vehicle because no one had a replacement tire that would fit. I don't recall the situation WRT the spare, but perhaps they wiped out two tires. IIRC it was an 18" low profile tire and those might be easy to pinch flat on hard bumps.)

Anyway, I'm wondering about the availability of tires in the factory size for this vehicle.

thanks,
hank

[FordManDJ]

I worked at shore tire and i never heard of 255/70x17 are you sure they were factory tires? My guess the dealer took the truck to a third party to have those tires mounted on that truck.

[HankB]

Originally posted by FordManDJ
I worked at shore tire and i never heard of 255/70x17 are you sure they were factory tires? My guess the dealer took the truck to a third party to have those tires mounted on that truck.

That's the size listed in the brochure. There is also an option for an 18" wheel with 275/65x18 (4x4). I can confirm that by going to Tirerack.

Never heard of that size? That's my concern! Searching Tirerack shows only one tire in the 17" size but 4 in the 18" size. So maybe it is a good idea to get the 18" wheels because there may be more choices when it is time to buy replacement tires.

Thanks for the reply. It made me look.
hank

[kingfish51]

There is not much in the 18" size either that are LT (which I pefer) tires. I believe only Goodyear makes the LT275/65R18. What I have is the 18" for summer, I don't really like the Goodyears in snow, and a set of LT265/70R17 on 17" XLT rims for winter. Turns out the diameter difference is only .25".

[Harrski]

You will find a lot more choices by looking up tire sizes using the metric size converted to english.

The 255 70R17 is a 10"x31" tire on a 17" Rim
The 275 65R18 is a 10 3/4 " x 32" tire on a 18" Rim

You can find a lot or tires that are close to this by looking at ads in magazines.

You can also go to www.natltire.com and they list a lot of tire sizes that will work. Some are a little bigger or smaller, but they will work as long as you don't go too big

[Caddy 53]

Hank B: I don't feel you need to be concerned. I have that tire on a XLT 4x4 The tire is a general tr series. The book and website does not list that size but that is it. The general website braggs on being a supplier for the new 04 Ford. I live about 40 miles n.of cols. ohio. We haven't had a lot of deep snow but a lot of ice.
The traction is much better than I expected (also have lmtd slip)
When replacement time comes I will use Michlin 265-70 17 in lxt style. I think that the popularity of the truck will put more option's in the future.
The tire seems a little stiff, will handle 41# but 35psi recomended. The tires run smooth ,have very slight hummm.
So far I'm happy camper.I want ice and wet road traction more than mud,and no loud rumble. I have no use for the 18's do some price chk, the 17 is bad enough. I had GDYR on a 02 Z-71 and they were squirmy. Hope this help's
caddy 53 chuck

[Caddy 53]

Hank b:
I just wrote you a letter telling you not to worry. Ford is using a General tr series. The book's and general web sight don't list it but I have them on my XLT 4x4.Seem to be good tire with better than expected traction. I want wet road and ice traction more than mud.
Somewhere the letter may surface tha I wrote.
caddy 53 chuck
THIS IS DUPLICATE ORIG JUST SHOWED UP