Tires & towing (need recommendations)
 

Well, I am at a bit of a crossroads with my 2000 F250 SuperCab V10 4x4. When I bought it, I was planning on putting some larger Mud tires and going down that route with gears and Heavy-duty bumper and winch and stuff. My wife has now agreed to get a boat (18-24 ft deck or center console ~4-5k lbs) next summer and we can use this truck to tow it.
The problem is I need tires now & I have to decide what tires (and size) to go with. Right now, I have 285/75/16 on it with 3.73 LS (stock was 235/85/16). I am still wanting somewhat of an all terrain / Mud terrain. I have considered going with a little skinner / taller tire such as Eurekaboy (Stan) with a 255/85R16. I have also looked at some 265/85/16
Did some comparisons…

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/7867/tiresizes.png

Does anyone have any recommendations on size or tires? I still want something that I can play a little in the mud but I also want something I can use while towing and get a “decent” gas mileage (I live on Gulf coast not to much as far as mountains and such here)

Cheers!!:-drink

BF Goodrich A/T, with the E-rated load for towing.

I am running 35" Toyo MTs and tow a 32' 5th wheel.

I doubt you will see much real difference between those 3 tire sizes, given same tread patterns.

With the V10, you will have no problems towing that small of a load with any of those tires.

So the decision is more on cosmetics and function....

You mentioned fuel economy. Narrower is better. Probably 1-2 mpg between 235 and 285. But, if you like to drive out on the sand, wider is better.
Also, H/T treads give best mpg, but luggy treads work better in mud. M/T's will cost you 1-2 mpg compared to H/T. A/T's fall between the two, with weight and carcass compliance (rolling resistance) the factors that matter the most.

+1 on this. Great towing tire, handles a load very well, have 45k on mine and should be able to get at least another 15k out of them.

Dry traction is good, wet traction decent, snow and ice...adequate if you have 4 wheel drive. They are not an MT or an off road tire, but do look half way decent.

Hey neighbor, gatorbait. I can't wait for the fall. I like the 285/75/16. 265 would prolly be good also. I got liberators a/t from walmart and I've put 90k miles on them. Their only a D rating but I haven't had any trouble w/ them. I went w/ these cause walmart is everywhere and I got the warranty with free rotate etc. Its a good tire for around here.

I have always been a fan of most BF Goodrich tires. Just started looking at the BF Goodrich Commercial T/A® Traction. Commercial T/A Traction | BFGoodrich Tires and the Rugged Terrain T/A® Rugged Terrain T/A | BFGoodrich Tires I have the Touring T/A's on my sedan and had Mud Terrains on my 94 Chevy Blazer 4x4 "RIP".

And exiled, I am planning on finding a tire I can buy at Sam's Club for the exact same reasons, They are generally a bit cheaper than at Walmart and other places but when no Sam's around Walmart will service it also. :-X22

I had them on my '90 Cherokee when I lived in CO and that Cherokee with the BF Goodrich All Terrains was a mountain goat. The longevity on them was great too. However I did not tow with that truck.

We currently own a 2010 Sequoia and I immediately replaced the OEM tires with the BF Goodrich All Terrain K/A load rated E tires and they do extremely well for most conditions. We live in rain country with some winter snow/ice but I have also used them for towing, dry river cobble stone crawling, beach sand as well as street and have been very pleased.

I recently bought a beast which will be getting the same BF Goodrich All Terrains once the OEM Michelins wear out and that is now our primary TV.

LMAO ... I live 10 miles from the Gulf of Mexico If there is snow or ice on the road here, there is NO WAY I'm getting out on the roads. :eek:

Mostly I would need for Mud (often clay based dirt roads) and getting to the hunting locations nothing tooo bad. Half of the time I don't even have to engage 4x4. :-X22 BUT I would like something that has a bit of traction that could get me out...

Go with General Grabber A/T2. A better reviewed tire than the BFG All Terrains. Slightly cheaper. I have the Generals and they are a great set of tires.