Since this is my first post I want to start by saying that I have been reading this forum for a couple years now and have always found it to be a great source of information.

2000 expedition EB 2WD 17" wheels

The expy currently has a very well worn pair of Goodyear Eagle GT II tires up front and almost new (<8,000 miles) BFG Long Trail T/A Tour tires in back. Now that I am having to cycle out the tires with a new pair I am considering upgrading to a LT tire as I drive a lot of the national forest roads in arkansas while fully loaded and the Long Trails don't like the rocky roads at all. Obvious from non critical damage such as rock drilling and cuts. Doing so would require a switch from a 30'' diameter 275/60/17R 113T tire to a 31.7" 265/70/17R tire as they do not make a LT tire in the smaller size.
The big question I have is how will the difference in tire size between the front and rear effect handling and stability, the ABS system, and or any thing else I am not thinking about.

Also, as they do not make a Load Range D tire in the 265/70/17R size. I would have to get either a C or E tire. Is a C tire really all that much tougher than a standard passenger tire. I am questioning how harsh an Expedition would ride with E Rated tire. Could this be properly managed through proper inflation for the load carried and less than maximum tire pressure? Anyone run an Expedition with E Rated tires?

I was looking at Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor.

Thanks,

 

Are you wanting to run a much larger size in the rear and keep the front tires you have?

That is probably a large enough difference to throw an abs light.

For your truck and the way you want to use it, the 265/70-17 load range C tire is the way to go. I owned a set of those tires (D range, 285)on a big Dodge diesel. I loved them.

The LT "C" range tire probably has a deeper tread than the P-metric version of the tire. It will run 50 psi, which is more than enough for your Expy, it is a tougher tire by virtue of the LT and increased wieght ratings over what the Expy requires. Worthwhile upgrade IMO, get a set of four.

If you get into rough terrain be sure to air down the tires. They are capable of taking a good beating that way. As low as 20 psi for rocky, muddy, or sand roads. I would run them at 42-45 on the road. You can go to 25 psi, smooth out the rough roads and have extra traction, then a limited highway run to a filling station with air is workable. For example, I do about 10 miles at 30 mph followed by 10 more at 60 mph on 20 psi. Pretty squishy but they never overheat.

 

No, I was not necessarily trying to go for a larger tire but the tire selection is not all that great in the smaller size. I was hoping that I could avoid having to toss the Long Trails as they still have lots of life in them. I also kinda figured the E Rated tires would be overkill.

I will be getting a full set of the Goodyear SilentArmor C Rated Tires. A full set became a lot more economical when I realized that I probably aught a toss the old spare (13yrs) and replace it with one of the Long Trails.

Thanks for your help

 

Most tire places will also give you credit for decent used tires. My old ones had some tread left and I traded them for the labor costs to mount and balance the new ones.

 

How did those C rated goodyear wranglers work out for you? I was just thinking of putting the same on mine. However, I found it surprising that the C rated tires are rated for less weight than the P. I was thinking the E might be overkill. I don't really tow much but might be in the future. My goodyear triple treads are only getting about half the mileage on them that they should. 30K and I am ready for new tires.