I don't see how it would be hard to find 235/85s, they are about the most common 16's out there.

Anyway, the 265/75 would be a good option, you really don't want to go lower if you're driving freeways, lower tire means higher RPMs.


So are your current tires too checked/cracked to be safe? Or is the current hype about date codes have you concerned?

 

If your not worried about clearance, 285/75/16 and 305/70/16s will work on a 4x4, idk on a 2wd.

 

About 18 months ago one of my matched set of 4 LT235/85R16's started to disintegrate while the truck was parked - the tread cracked and separated from the body of the wheel in multiple places. The tire remained inflated as normal. Prior to this the tire looked fine, neither cracked nor checked. I replaced it with an LT235/85R16 from a used tire shop, lots of tread wear, but only 4 years old. The other tires still look fine, but I don't trust 'em.
I checked with some local used tire stores since my original post. One showed me a single fine specimen of LT235/85R16, with a date code of the year 2000. It looked just great, inside & out, no checking or cracking, but fuggedaboutdat! Another owner of a local used store couldn't help me & told me if I could find that exact size used, it would have to be on the internet.
In addition, I got rid of a previous set of old tires years ago after having the left rear tear blow out at 70 mph on an interstate when the outside temp was 95. Prior to this, no cracking or checking was observable to my eye, and there was very little treadwear. I put my spare on, but immediately stopped at the next garage to get a later-model used spare mounted on my rim. This new/old spare had a lot of tread wear but was only 4 years old. The old spare then blew out at 45 mph the next morning after about 50 more miles of driving. I switched out to my new/used spare and then went slowly to the next Wally World & bought a complete set of new tires so I could make it home safely.
Incidentally, I called AAA on both days for help with changing the tire, and neither of the servicemen had the proper sized impact socket for my lug nuts. They used my own non-impact socket, which survived the air wrench treatment.
At that time I was driving my fully loaded truck camper, net weight about 7600 lb.
Going by the date codes is not 'hype', in my not so humble opinion.
I will be going with the P235/70R16's, Michelins with a date code 4210. The guy I bought these from gets his from the tire shop he works at, when people switch little used OEM tires for newer ones. That size is fairly popular among late model SUV's, and he is likely to get more. I just may get a set of these for my F150. The F150's current set is 6 years old & has 44,000 miles on them.

 

It is hype though, you go by condition, not age. I've seen 4 year old tires rotten as hell, and I've got some rigs with 30 year old tires that are doing great.

MY tire rules:

If it's cracked, split, or severely weather checked it goes irregardless of age.

If it had good sidewalls and no tread cracking and only mild weather checking it stays irregardless of age.

Conjuring up scary things and telling us that we'll die if we do XY or Z is how media sells 'news'. After a bunch of new laws we don't need are passed on tire age and all the small tire shops are put out of business and tires cost us 3 times what they used to the media will back slap each other and move onto the next crisis.

 

PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE NOT PUTTING PASSENGER TIRES ON YOUR HEAVY DUTY TRUCK?!?!?!?!?!?!?!


seriously people, i can understand not having a lot of cash but next to brakes and steering, tires are the last thing you should skimp out on.

GET THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE OR DON'T DRIVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

 

have fun with that........

but hey what do i know about tires......

 

Haaa, me either, only been in them longer than some guys here have been alive.... kind of sad really...

 

You know, that's darn near what my Lincoln's running.

 

Agree completely lower rated tires can blow out, and hurt you, your truck, or someone else.