This could just as easily have gone in the Tires/Suspension section...

I currently have 265/75/16s on my 2WD F250 and I'll probably be looking into going to 285/75/16s as has been discussed in other threads. While looking around at tires I notice that the load capacity goes down with these larger tires. I fully understand why this is so.

My question is: Have any of you guys that have gone up really noticed the difference? For example, in one brand I am considering, the difference is about 110 lbs less with the larger tire than what I currently have with the 265s.

(On a side note, it seems that in most brands I have looked at, the 265/75 has the highest load capacity. Just FYI)

Anyway, I know several guys here have gone to larger tires and still tow and haul lots of weight. I don't haul/tow everyday, but I do load up the truck often enough (bed full of wood, load of gravel/sand, etc) to make sure my tires are up to the task.

I know the simple answer is: Just make sure you don't haul more than your tires can carry. I guess I'm really looking for any additional things to look out for when gong larger and still loading the truck. Like, does the handling seem to suffer with the taller sidewalls, etc.

Any advice?

Thanks

Scott

 

If your towing as much as your tires will handle your probably in over your head and should consider a 5th wheel trailer. If your towing those types of tongue weights with a 5th wheel then you should consider an F-450 or larger.

 

This info is right of BFG's website...

BFG Rugged Trail T/A (Factory Tires)
LT265/75R16/E (E rated)
Max Load: 3415 lbs. @ 80 psi.
Total Max Load: 13660 lbs.

BFG All-Terrain T/A
LT285/75R16/D (D rated)
Max Load: 3304 lbs. @ 65 psi.
Total Max Load: 13216 lbs.

I have 2 sets of BFG All-Terrain LT285/75R16/D and don't even think twice about towing my heavy loads. You're only talking about a little over 400 lbs. different in Total Maximum Load, and a little over 200 lbs per axle. I highly doubt that minimal amount would affect anybody. I don't know if these loads will correspond to other brands or not. I know on the All-Terrain spec page, the LT285/75R16 is the has the one of the highest load capacity of any of the D rated tires. Another alternative is there is also an All-Terrain T/A LT295/75R16/D with a load rating of 3415 lbs @ 65psi. That is the exact same load capacity as the factory E rated tires. I do not know how well they would fit on the vehicle though. I'm sure somebody is running them. It is kind of wierd that you can get a D and an E rated tire to have the same load capactiy. Possibly the sidewalls are stiffer on the E's to give them the different rating. Or it could be just for the fact that they can hold higher psi's. (I'm not a tire expert)

 

Actually Interco makes a Trxus tire in 285 with a rating around 3600 lbs. Several users have complained about failures with Interco though. Also Goodyear makes a trailer tire (street tread only) in a heavier rating. Not a good choice though for anything but summer pavement driving.

If capacity/tire ratings are what you REALLY want, along with larger tires, check my users gallery...

 

Scott,
Higher profile tires (70, 75, 85's) will not corner as well as the lower profile tires (60, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30's). This is because the displacement of weight during a turn on a higher profile tire causes the sidewall to flex.

For the typical day-to-day and occassional Mr. Projects tasks you're asking your truck to do, a Load Range D or E will be fine. A handful of good manufacturers make 265/75 and 285/75X16" tires with D and E Load Ratings for our trucks for well under $200 each. Remember, these ARE trucks, right? They're designed to throw stuff in the back and haul and pull and do all those things that trucks do. So, it's ok to do them!

I would seriously doubt that you have to go to a F450 or a 5th wheel setup to haul your occassional loads, providing your load weights stay within the capacity of the truck. No disrespect to the guy who posted that , but it sounded like overkill to me. Kinda like taking a bazooka to a dart-throwing competition. Nothing wrong with erring on the side of safety and caution, but swapping out vehicles seems like a large expense just to haul an occassional load vs. getting higher Load Range tires. Call me crazy...



Also, when you go buy a load of gravel, rock, sand, or whatever they usually sell it by the ton (at least that's my experience here in CA). So, if you have a load rating on your tires in excess of 2000 lbs and you're hauling a ton (2000 lbs.) of ???, you'll be fine.

Daryl

 

Thanks for the info. I think I'll be fine with the larger tires. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something major I would be losing that I overlooked.

DS59F100 hit the typical use of my truck on the head. I don't think we're talking enough to warrant a new truck. Although it may be a good arguement to convince my other half why I need to trade this one in

Now I just need to decide on the brand and I'll be set.

Scott

 

Cokeman,
It's tough to go wrong with Michelin's, but if they exceed the alloted budget (and they do for most), check out the Bridgestone Revo's. Got a GREAT rating and tons of good reviews... for about $50/tire less than the Michelin's.

The key for you seems to be to look into the load rating/ load capacity of the tire brand and tire sizes you're interested in (ie, the 285/75X16's). Revo's come in D and E load ranges, BTW.

Glad I could help; and hope you find the tire that suits your needs... to a tee !!

Daryl

 

Gentlemen,

I think I wasn't able to convey my thoughts from my head through the key board. What I meant is, it's tough to find a load that the truck and tires can't handle reasonably. A D or E range tire will certainly handle anything these trucks can handle and what I meant to say is, if you are carrying a load that reaches the limits of the tires your probably carrying too much for the truck. Of course an occasional load doesn't warrant a new truck (unless your looking for the excuse for your wife).

I mentioned the 450 or larger truck b/c they're completely different. If you look closely at a 250 or 350 their very similar with the same rears and spring packs (quite honestly I don't know how a 350 handles more weight then a 250 other then the size of the blocks in the rear). From 450's on up the trucks get larger brakes, rears and spring packs all making for a stronger truck.

To get to your question, I had a 250 with 285 BFG A/T's on it and I occasionally towed a 32 ft camper with the bed of the truck full (say 1,000 lbs) and four adults in the cab and the tires didn't even squat (at full pressure). I now have a 350 with 315 BFG A/T's and towed a 6 ton flatbed with a mini excavator and again no squat. At these weights the truck is on the helper springs all the time.

Keep in mind the load ratings are tire spefic and the width makes a difference b/c the ratings are measured in lbs/square inch and a wider tire has more square inches of contact patch.

Sorry for rambling.....

 

What about Dunlop Radial Rovers 285X75X16

 

Try looking at the Nitto Terragrapplers, they come in oversize tires in load range E.