I have a 96 F 250 extended cab 4x4 with an 8 foot bed. 5.8L and 3.54 Ratio. I bought this truck in February, and I need to replace tires. Currently they have 285 75R 16's on here. They have great tread but are dry rotting. The Factory size is 235 85R 16's. I know the current tires are wider and better for mud etc. I like the look and the performance so far. My queston is should i go back to the factory size or stay with these? Any experience with fuel mileage handling would help, also I know the LT 285's are D range but are marked to handle more weight than the 235 E's

 

I have the exact same setup and after the recent snow we have had here, I know 235's will be on mine by next winter. But I'm not in much deep mud, mostly "slop" on coal mine roads were I work. For the most part I wasn't happy with the amount of sliding the wider tires do on snowy/icy roads.

But if you have no complaints with what you have, why change.

 

I mean i had to run in 4x4 more than i would have liked to even with 1000 # spread throughout the bed. I like the "stance" the wider tires give, but to be honest big tires have never been my thing.

 

I checked a tire comparison chart and honestly, they aren't that much different in size. You lose about an inch in width and a half inch in ground clearance by using the 235s.

But...some tires are just junk even brand new. I did quite a bit of research concerning dry/wet pavement traction, ice and snow traction and average mileage. Off road and mud was not a factor for me but may be for you. Presently I have Uniroyal Laredos and I am not pleased at all. I can't wait to get those things off of my truck.

 

I am looking at Mastercraft Courser AT2's they are updated in design. I am not very worried about mudding but i do pull a 20' car hauling trailer and ground get swampy here in spring and fall but I do have 4x4

 

I use my for what it sounds like you use yours for. It had 33x12.5's on it mounted on 16.5x10" rims. After about 10,000 miles of having to listen to the noise and the wandering from the wider tires, I got rid of them. I found a nice set of factory polished rims and mounted on 4 BFG Commercial Tractions in a 235/85/16, load range E. They work beautifully in the snow and ice and are perfect for the light off roading I do from time to time. I did a lot of research before I purchased them; they were a great deal and are rated very highly in all types of terrain. I will probably replace them with the same thing when the time comes. They are also rated for 50,000 miles, which is great since 90% of my time is on the pavement with it. 1995 F250, 4x4 with a 460 if it matters.

 

Those are the exact same tires that I picked out for mine. Research pays off in the long run.

 

i would stick with the same size, but like everyone else is saying, research and a lot of it. read the reviews, look at the comparisons, it helps. i would go with a mild tread all-terrain. for example, general tire makes some good AT tires, and kumho has a road venture AT for about 120 a tire for 235 85 16r.

just food for thought

 

I have been doing some research, but didnt know what people had for experience. I know there are alot of variables. I have allways been one for standard size tires. I am looking at the MasterCraft Courser AT2 I like what I have seen on a few vehicles. I am still looking, they are a good tire made by Cooper and I am running some of their MSR for winter on my Van. I guess my biggest thought was going away from the 285 75 might help with mileage.

 

My gas mileage improved slightly with the stock size tire, with better acceleration, pulls trailers more easily, and it downshifts less going up and down the mountains.