Jump to content

Looking for tire advice.


freeclimbmtb

Recommended Posts

The truck is a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD WT, regular cab, 8' bed, purple torsion bar keys ("factory leveling kit"?) I picked it up with the regular 245's on stock 16" steel wheels.

 

I bought a used set of 17" alloy "hummer rims". I'm looking for recommendations on a tire I can run with no suspension changes. I like the height of the 285/70R17, but they look a little fat for my taste, I think the 265/70R17 looks like a more well proportioned tire. But since the truck has the little 245's I struggle picturing it with either of the other sizes in terms of if it will look like I shoe horned them into the wheel wells or if they look appropriate.

 

Ideally I would get a set of BFG AT's (I've had them before and love them) but the truck is a second vehicle and I'm having trouble swallowing the price tag of the BFG's.

 

I use the truck mainly for firewood, dump/lumber yard runs, and the occasional load of a few thousand lbs of stone. I really have no use for anything. More aggressive than an all terrain tire. (That's what I have the CJ7 for).

 

That me for the input all.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been a fan of the BFG's also, but because of the price I tried the Cooper A/T3's, and was very happy! Plus they have a 50 (or 55)k mi warranty.

 

I never had them in an off road situation, so not sure how they do in the mud and muck, but in snow they worked great!

 

As for the size, not really sure what will fit that beast and look good. Does the local tire dealer know what will fit without any issues?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey thanks for the replies fellas. I haven't stopped into a tire shop and asked about fitment, also, my two go-to sources are Town Fair Tire and Tire Rack, and neither seem to carry the Coopers, but I was looking at the Bridgestone Dueler AT, most likely in the 265/70R17 size.

 

I had forgotten about this site:

http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

 

They let you punch in the specs for two tire/wheel setups and show you (dimensions and pictures) of what will happen with fitment. (Just had to google the ET (offset) for the two wheels.)

 

So from the stock size of 245/70R16 on a 16x6.5ET29 to a 265/70R17 on a 17x9ET10 hummer wheel, I would have the following:

  • No loss of suspension clearance (how far the tire will protrude INTO the wheel well)
  • 29mm (1.1") loss of fender coverage (additional tire stickout)
  • +54mm (1.8") taller tire, so about 3/4" more "fill out" in the wheel well.

 

Here is the link to the actual calc sheet if anyone cares to see it:

http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp?item=Wheel-Tire size comparer&sw1=245&ar1=70&bd1=16&rw1=6.5&et1=29&sw2=265&ar2=70&bd2=17&rw2=9.0&et2=10&text1=Stock 2500HD Steel Wheel&text2=Hummer H2 Alloy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You didn't mention a price range. So here's my list of tires that I've owned:

 

1. Toyo Open Country M/T = Great tire and you can get 40k out of them easily.

2. Toyo Open Country A/T

3. Cooper AT/3 which I currenlty have but you can't seem to get.

4. Pro Comp A/T

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good point about price range. Obviously cheaper is better...but only to a point. (I think a $150-$175 tire is where I would LIKE to be...) And I was able to find the Coopers on discount tire direct, but the $140 version of that tire isn't an LT (so lower load rating..) the LT version is up around $180 through those guys. (Difference isn't HUGE, but I would just assume not derate the capacity of the truck because of the tires.)

 

I also looked again and saw that the Bridgstones don't even have a treadwear warrantee. (though it seems like many of the LT tires don't.)

 

The General Grabbers seem to have decent ratings too, we got a set of Generals because of the Firestone Recall back in the day, I don't seem to remember us getting very good mileage out of them though...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think many of the coopers have a 50k mile rating... But it will vary with use. If you aren't always towing or hauling they should last longer. For our dually work truck, anything that makes it to 20k is an awesome tire.

 

I won't use anything other than an LT, and I have a half ton. I'm not going to volunteer to put on my spare on a mountain road when it's blowing and 20 below... Or a muddy country road when it's 100.

 

I think there are a lot of good tires out there. Michelins will last a long time, but are expensive. Toyos are expensive but have a very good rep. Coopers are cheaper but the ones on my pickup have done great. 20k without a flat so far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

my truck is pretty much the same as yours, wheel base is the same so here's how it would look with 285/70/17. the tires are falken wildpeaks(rocky mountian) have about 20k miles on them with no complaints. i got then for 156 a tire but not sure if that was a fluke or not. discount near my house had them for 156 but where i actually got them had them for 250 but i argued with the guy to honor the price if he wanted to sell me the tires from his store lol

 

IMG_20141116_164145874_HDR_zpsab67b0d0.j

 

just for reference this is how it looked with the 245s on it

 

IMG_0541.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice! I see you plastidiped your front end too, I did the grille a few weeks back but still have to do the lower cowling. Did you have to tweak the key screws up to clear on the front end? The front fender gap looks about the same from the two pictures while the back looks a little more filled out.. Too bad you didn't snap a picture of the old tire next to the new tire.

 

Good looking truck! Thanks for the reply and the perspective!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Funny you mention that, I filled up yesterday and got 10.5 ...so...awesome.

 

Fortunately I only drive it a mile and a half each way to and from work and just for the winter while I am in Connecticut for work. I have the VW for when I need the mileage.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have yet to actually lose mileage with my LT's, and that's a half ton... They will have no effect on a 3/4 ton. 3/4 tons come with 10 ply.

 

Short trips are terrible for fuel economy.

 

I looked at the Falkens when I was tire hunting. I ended up passing since they didn't have much siping and weren't very aggressive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice! I see you plastidiped your front end too, I did the grille a few weeks back but still have to do the lower cowling. Did you have to tweak the key screws up to clear on the front end? The front fender gap looks about the same from the two pictures while the back looks a little more filled out.. Too bad you didn't snap a picture of the old tire next to the new tire.

 

Good looking truck! Thanks for the reply and the perspective!

 

 

7 turns on the factory keys and a little plastic trimming to get them not to rub at all. that was until my oops now they rub on the passenger side when turning left :(

 

I have yet to actually lose mileage with my LT's, and that's a half ton... They will have no effect on a 3/4 ton. 3/4 tons come with 10 ply.

 

Short trips are terrible for fuel economy.

 

I looked at the Falkens when I was tire hunting. I ended up passing since they didn't have much siping and weren't very aggressive.

i wanted the nitto trail grapplers but at the time the price of the falkens was more appealing. when i kill these i'll get the nittos, i like the more agressive look better myself

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 turns on the factory keys and a little plastic trimming to get them not to rub at all. that was until my oops now they rub on the passenger side when turning left :(

 

Ok that pretty much sells me on the 265s. If it was just tweaking the keys, sure, but I don't want big tires enough to trim anything. (like before...I have the jeep for that)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.