I have 285-75-16 Dayton tires on my 2002 F250 4X4 CC 7.3 Powerstroke. This is what came with the truck when I bought it used. They are wearing ok but it is getting to be time for new tires. These tires are BAD in the rain or any kind of water.(wet dip in the road) I am thinking of new tires and have been looking at the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo tires. I have a few questions that you all might be able to help me with before I spend my hard earned dough!
My mileage is a poor 12.5 around town with very little freeway driving. I heard that since my tires are a size above the factory size my mileage will suffer. I also have that problem mentioned here of the lack of power steering when at idle at a stop.( I heard it was caused by larger tires)It is bad news when I try to park the beast and the power steering goes out.

Question one is should I go back to the factory size of 265-75-16?
Should I expect my mileage to increase? Should I get my power steering back?

Another question comes to mind and that is the tire rating. I see on the door sticker that I need a 'E' load rating. The ones I have now are 'D' rated. So what is the differance? Do I nned the 'E' rating?

I am taking a long trip at the end of the month and expext snow and ice but living in Vegas I see very little snow and ice.

I am open for opinions.

Thanks,
Steve

 

basically the one size up will affect your mileage...in a very very small increment..depending on where you live and what temperature you see, you might be using winter blend fuel right now which will drop your mileage a good 1-2 mpg. Personally, i think the 285s looks better on a SD IMO, so i would keep them. I would look into a BFG a/t or a Nitto Terragrappler, i personally am partial to BFgs a/t


if your power steering is going out at low speeds, you have other issues. i am running 37" tires and never does this happen. IF i try turning the wheel at a complete stop, it is more hesitant but definetly still have power steering. CHeck your fluid level, and remember it uses ATF not PS fluid.


as far as the load range, i suggest load range E. If you do little to no towing, a D would suffice but not for heavy loads. IF you do any towing at all, especially of any weight, E is a neccessity. THe differnce is the sidewall strenth. A D rating has 8 plys and a E has 10 plys. THis makes the sidewall stiffer and more stable in a towing environment and with our heavy trucks.


So basically, you decide. IF you can get a good price on 265's versus 285's get them. I would stay with the larger size. Heck, if it was me i would be slapping 305's on my stock truck.

 

I am running the Goodyear Silent armor tires on mine now. I had Big O brand tires on it before the good years and put close to 60K on them.

1999 F250 XLT Lariat, CC, LB

 

im running a 33x12.5r17 Mickey Thompson Baja Claw and i get around 17mpg town and 20mpg highway you may want to look into something else causing that millage drop IMO

 

is the air filter clean?? poor MPG can also be from leaks in the up pipes and boost leak from the boots..also a pluged EBPS tube can cause loss of MPG..might be worth checking.here is how to clean it..
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/ebps.html

 

I have 285 Michelin LTX MS tires on my Excursion. The ratings say they are Load range D, I could not find this size in an E. I've seen other 265 range E tires rated around 3400 PSI. My 285 Michelin D's are rated at 3300 PSI. So this is basically a range E tire then, right? Is it b/c of the larger diameter, give it more strength? Does anyone know if this Michelin comes in Range E for that size? Thanks.

 

I get 19.5 on highway, 18+ back and forth to work. My info is in my signature. My gearing is 373s and auto trans. There is something else wrong causing bad MPG. As for your steering, its most likely a weak PS pump, common in these trucks. My pump just hit the weak zone @ 144k !! Time for a better pump.

 

Have you thought about going to the dually sizes? Thinner tires but tall. 235 85 16 should at least help with the power steering problem, they should go to an E.

I'm thinking of going to those from my 285 BFG's on the next tire change, for mileage reasons.

I'm seeing about 15 MPG with highway driving thrown in.

Remember you are warming 15 quarts of oil every time you start and any idling is killing your mileage. Depending on your start/stop patterns 12.5 might not be bad.

 

you cant get 10 ply (E) over a 265...