Hey guys. New here. My work truck is a 2009 f-250 4x4 gas truck. Nothing fancy. I need new tires and i was wondering if i could get away with a lt 285/70r17? It is mostly usef for hauling mowers and plowing snow. I am looking at the Toyo open country at2.
Any help would be great. I hate having a 245. If 285s are too big ad rub i'll just do a 265

Thanks

 

Hi Stubie82 and welcome to FTE.

You should be fine with a 285 series, but you may want to discuss the issue with your tire shop. I went from 265s to 285s on stock rims, but my shop said they would go no wider. Some shops will mount a 305 series on a stock rim, but a lot of shops will refuse.

 

I dont need anything too big, i just hate the dinky 245s, ya know? Should i be ok as far as rubbing?

 

I cannot comment on the 285 size tires and rubbing or otherwise. What I can say as far as a wider profile is, be more careful with your heavy truck in the rain. Both with off the line gas pedal mashing and braking of course. I have the 5.4 Liter v8 GASSER and 4:10 gears, I can let loose the rear tires (even the new ones) easily on dry pavement and get sliding sideways quickly on a hilly stop light acceleration in the rain. A wider profile would make all of these things worse, from my understanding. Also PLOWING, you want the tires digging in to get down to the asphalt or pavement. I have no experience with CHAINS or STUDDED tires, but the wider profile might help you there. Also gas mileage will be better with the skinnier tire, less wear on the transmission, more efficient overall performance regardless of the gearing on your truck. In 4wd i was surprised how well this handled on MILD offroad trails and over sand use on the beaches here on Long Island. Known for sugary soft sands this heavy truck does very well when you properly prep her.

I just wanted to throw in a thumbs up for the Firestone TransForce AT tires (e rated). The previous set on the truck I purchased used had these installed as aftermarkets when the stock tires wore after 40k. The TransForce AT replacements had over 75k miles and still had some tread left, not at the wear bar yet but close! Each one of these tires had a minimum of two plugs/nail holes repaired in the tread, one of the fronts had 5 plugs in it AND a screw in one of the tread lugs that had its head snapped off so it was seated near invisibly.

I replaced them with the same tires, after about 1000 miles on the new Firestone TransForce AT ones they are broken in and drive really great. I went with 265/75R16 tires for my stock 16" steel wheels. Truck is used as daily driver (I own a roofing/chimney business) and sees only materials less than 1/2 ton in the bed a couple times per week. I am running the truck unloaded at 55 front 56-58 rear, when I toss the plow on I raise the fronts 5 or so and the rears get 65psi when I put stuff in the bed. At 65-66 on the rear it is just too harsh of a ride what with the heaviest springs front and back on my truck.

This truck often sees Beach use (not dune driving) for striped bass fishing and when AIRED DOWN properly is a capable sand vehicle even in sugar soft stuff. I have been airing down to 18-20. 20 is alot different from 30psi in the sand in these heavy super dutys in my experience. 18 is a big difference from 20psi as well. For years riding the beach in my bronco aired down to 12 on bald tires I was spoiled thinking this truck would do similar at 30 psi and I rapidly got stuck, but easily extracted myself. I haven't aired them down below 15 yet, but at 15-16psi they were really floating me on the sand. I am more comfy at 18 with the stiffer sidewalls of e-rated tires.

80k miles on a truck tire is pretty good in my book. Keep in mind these Firestones are fleet tires, really designed for commercial use. I am a believer in them and they have alot of high reviews where I have researched as far as longevity goes. They are tough tires.

Lets see some pics when you open that Wallet!

JC

 

285/70/17 will be no problem at all. I have 295/70/18 on mine. I have a leveling kit now, but they fit just fine with no rubbing with stock suspension.

 

I have no rubbing with 285s and stock suspension.

 

I have 285/70/17's also on a stock truck and have plenty of room.