I have an 05 6.0PSD Limited with 51K miles.

Had the original BFG All Terrain TA on it and wanted to swap out tires given some upcoming long trips with the travel trailer.

I did a ton of research and over time became concerned that the Ex would become even less stable with the wrong tires. I read tons of forums, including this one, to attempt to make the right decision. Many guys on those forums complained about additional wander, looseness, slippryness, due to the wrong tires.

Finally made what I thought was the right decision and went to Sams club tire shop. Bought 265/75-16E GoodYear Wrangler Silent Armor Pro-Grade tires. They looked GREAT on the truck. And they were very, very quite due to the kevlar. But the truck felt like it was on ice. The handling was horrible and "slippery", even when going straight down the highway at highway speeds. I towed my 7500# TT with it over Mem Weekend and really felt uncomfortable and not in control. I really thought these tires were going to be great. Man, were they a mistake.

I went back to my Sams and told them about my experience. They readily agreed to swap out the tires, even after 500 miles, to something else. I went back to the 265/75-146E BFG All Terrain TA. They ordered them for me, returned my money for the GY SA and called me a week later when the new tires came in. Put them on tonight...and man, what a difference. The truck is back to its old self. The BFG does not look as good (rugged, aggressive, etc.), but the handling is so much better. And I noticed that they are very quiet compared to my old BFGs.

Three main points:
1 - Thought the GY SA were going to be great for this truck. Not so much.
2 - BFG pulls through again.
3 - Sams Club Tire Shop was awesome...worked really hard to make me happy.

CARMK

 

Sounds great
how much did you pay for 4 new bfg vs gy? Big price difference? I currently have a set of cooper wonderers (haha) and am looking to replace them

 

Ditto on the wrong tire.... just went thru a similar drama.... but I ended up with Michelin LTX M/S (so far )

 

I put the nitto grapplers on mine, bridgestones came off. I would recommend either tire.

 

Excursion4x4 - which grappler did you go with? Stock size?

 

sorry if i but i have a question regarding tire size, is it best to stick with stock size 265-75-16 or go up 1 size , would it ad stability or decrease it especially towing ???

thanks

jeff

 

The BFGs were about 90 dollars (for four) less than the GY. Right around $700 installed as I recall.

I seriously thought about going up from the 265/75-16 to the 285/75-16. I decided not to because of rim width concern. The 265s of either tire are made to fit a 7-8 inch rim. The 285s are made to fit a 7.5-9 inch rim. The 05 Limited Excursion rims are 7 inches. Because I pull a TT and haul 4 kids down the highway, I was not willing to risk a tire made for a 7.5 inch rim on a 7 inch rim. Seems logical to me that the manufacturer set the rim width on purpose...

Although I REALLY wanted the look of the 285s...

Two days now on the BFGs and feelin good again

 

makes alot of sense when you put it that way. the last thing i wanna do is install a problem , i wil just stick with the stock size, for safety sake, he wife gets nervous enough as it is, she doesnt like to drive it now, says it intimidates her, which is cool , i dont want her curbing it anyway, and she always freaks when we start rolling out with trailer atached, so i am going stock for my sanity

 

~have never had an issue with my 285's-look great werk great wear great!!

 

After the recall on the stock Firebombs, I went with the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo in the 285 size. The ride was so much better I thought I put new shocks on the Ex. I don't have experience with the other tires, but I love the Revos.

 

^--here-here!!!--REVO'S----

 

carmk,

Glad it all worked out for you...

After 18,000 towing miles in 3 summers...I know how sure footed the BFG Rugged Trail T/A's are...I would be hard pressed to leave them...I've got 42K miles on them so far and have plenty of tread left...

I have found that when people who tow change tires...tire pressure can be a HUGE **** to relearn...you may have not had a good pressure for the GY's...but it all worked out in the end...you have your sure footed Ex back and that is all that matters!

Good story and thanks for sharing.

Joe.

 

I've been happy w/ my original BFG's w/ 55k miles and plenty of tread, except for that fact that the sidewalls are all flaking off. I believe it is mainly a cosmetic issue (looks like bad adhesion the white layer underneath), but I think about new tires everytime I look at them. Would rather not spend $700 right now though if they still have plenty of life in them.

Anyone else had this issue & should I be more concerned?

 

When I bought my X it had the Michellin LTX's and I changed to the BFG Rugged TA's back in Jan. I was happy with the Michellins and I'm happy with the BGFs (though the BFGs have a bit more humm to them).

I'm not surprised about your experience with the SAs - not the first time I heard that story.

BTW - for those that don't know, BFG are made by Michellin... just a little side bar info for ya. Goodrich Corporation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

About 6 months ago I put on some Kelly Safari Trax in the original 265/75/16 and have had no problems. They were great in the snow and rain and pulling the TT.