Need help with tire decision. Before I explain any further, let me tell you about my previous truck. It was a 2002 F250 5.4L Reg Cab long bed. Towed a one car hauler 2-3 times a week. Weight of cars towed ranged from 4000-8000. I believe the tires were 235 85 16. Every time I towed with the F250 it felt safe and comfortable. My new to me truck is a 2001 F350 Diesel 4x4 crew cab stock rims on 285 70 16 Pro Comp Mud Terrain tires. The tires have 65% on the tread left, but they don't feel good when towing. I don't go off road, except for the occasional ski and camping trip. I love the look of the Pro Comps, but I think safety first. Had the truck for about 7 months now and tried to get used to the Pro Comps, but it time to change them. I want a good looking AT tire with the comfort of a highway tire(if possible). There are too many tires to choose from and too many reviews with negative and positive feedback's. Any suggestions? Can someone tell me how to post pics? Thanks

 

I'm in a similar boat, so I'll jump on the help me bandwagon. I currently have the aforementioned 235/85/16s, but they were worn badly before front end was fixed... so it's time to change. I'd like to go bigger, but don't want to sacrifice much mileage. I've been looking from 265/75/16 to 285(or295)/75/16. Interested in some Terra Grapplers, but wanted to get some feedback on loss of fuel efficiency, towing, etc.

Jon

 

I'm probably going to a BFG TA/KO when I replace mine, but that sounds a little too aggressive for you.

I've read some great reviews on the Nitto Dura Grappler. It comes in Load Range E, which is important to you when towing.

Nitto Tire - High Performance Tires for Car and Truck Enthusiasts

 

What I really want is more comfort with an aggressive looking tire. Seems like a lot of choices out there. Want to here from you folks that have logged some miles with your new tire.

 

Sounds like a set of BFG A/T LT285/75R16 E tires would work well for you. They are fairly aggressive for an A/T tire but still ride smooth without a lot of noise. My dad has been putting 285 BF A/Ts on his SDs since 99'. I've been running more of a cross between an A/T and M/T tire in the 285 size on my truck, which of course are louder and ride rougher than the BFG A/Ts.

 

How bad is it for my towing performance to go with a load D? I found Terra Grapplers for ~$740 installed in a 295/75/16 or 285/75/16, but they are load D. I don't haul much in the bed, and my trailer tongue weights won't ever be ridiculously high..

Jon

 

Others will loudly disagree, but I say MAY be fine...

Of course, you have to make sure the load rating is adequate for the max load you expect to haul. With the sizes you're looking at, may be fine.

After that, it depends on the tire, your trailer, and your hitch.

If you have a nicely balanced setup, the D's will likely work out fine. If the setup us not right, the stiffnes of an E rated carcass will cope better than a D.

I tow a 7K trailer with NO problems whatsoever, even with all the sidewall the 315/75-16 has. My trailer is a Nash (which is inherently stable due to great design), and I use an Equal-I-Zer sway control hitch.

 

redford, started to look into the Nitto Dura Grappler. Everywhere I look, the tires have great reviews and price is decent. My local tire guy trying to push some Bridgestones, but it's a little more.

mwsF250, truck and trailer are well balance, but the cars and trucks vary in weight. I think a D rated tire would work, but prefer to stay with a E rated tire for extra strength and safety. Can't have enough safety.

 

Yokohama Geolandar AT/S

 

The Terra Grapplers are a great tire and perform excellent in rain/snow. They are not a high mileage tire and if you tow on a regular basis you may run them down quicker. I have about 15k on my set with very little if noticeable wear but i have only done light hauling since installed. They are also a great looking tire in my opinion and only a little noisy but i like that.

I have always loved the BFG AT's but ran with the Terra's because i couldn't get them in the size i wanted with my current wheel width but am so far very pleased. They can also be a little bouncy when unloaded.

 

I have run BFG ATs in the past on several trucks and have never had problems, even towing 5500 lbs with my F150.
My 05 SD V10 had Wrangler Silent Armors and they were the most stable and impressive tire I have ever run. They are not an aggresive looking tire but they are E rated and have great reviews.

That being said, I went to BFG M/Ts because I got new wheels and wanted something bad a$$ looking. I got the look I wanted but they are more noisy and have nowhere near the smoothness and stability that the Wranglers had.

My number two chioce was Toyo. Their Open Country A/T is supposed to be really good and their M/T is even more aggressive looking than BFG and supposedly has lower noise. They are E rated also. Check them out.

Do the math on weight ratings for the weight you plan to have on the truck. Some D rated tires are only a few hundred pounds per tire less. For ultimate safety go with E. That is what you SD is supposed to have to meet overall capacities of the truck.

 

Quit thinking D and E, look at the lb load rating of the tire you're interested in. Moving up a couple of sizes probably means you are fine with a D rated tire. And Yokohama Geolanders are the very best, especially since they sponsor our Trophy Truck team.

 

I have the Nitto Terra Grapplers in 285/75R16E (32.8") and put over 40K miles on them over the last three and a half years. They're getting down to where I'll be replacing them before next winter, not to the wear bars yet but I want more tread for when the snow flies.

I've looked at the Rickson 19.5" wheels a few times and like them but something always seems to put the hurt on the cash reserves I'm trying to squirel away...

That said, the 265/70R19.5 tires are all in the 34-34.5" range and should fit without issue on a stock SD. The weight ratings are over 5000# single/4675# dual. These are G rated, supposed to have better handling under load and give twice or more the mileage. The 285/70R19.5 tires are H rated and up to 35.4" tall with even higher weight ratings, over 6000# single and 5675 dual.

The down side is a more limited choice of wheels and price. I got a price of $3500 for a full set of five tires/wheels which would give a matching spare and allow for five-tire rotations. That's about $1000 more than new tires and wheels in the more common LT sizes like 17" or 18" wheels with decent tires. Of course you can spend a lot more if you want to....

Here's a link to the Rickson site:

http://www.ricksontruckwheels.com/tires-26570R195.php

 

I get the most mileage from the bfg's and they are pretty quiet and handle the weight well.

 

I have the Nitto grappler on my F250 and they seem to ride great on the highway but yet still have a hint of aggression for the "offroad", or camp sites. So far I dont have any major noises or shimmies. The only thing for me, is they look a tad too aggressive for my tastes on the sides. My truck doesnt look like an offroader, more like a lux truck. So they dont fit the image like I would want.