Already chose rims need help choosing tire

ShowOnTurf · January 17, 2013

Hey everyone I will finally get my tires changed on my truck. I decided to get 18's however I still have questions regarding tires. Everywhere I go they give me different combinations and what not I just need some honest opinions and answers. I don't plan on doing a lift so here's my questions. What's the biggest all terrain tire I could get? Sizes you guys recommend and brands based on experience? My last question is how much mpg should I expect to lose? I will have this done soon and hopefully show you guys pics. Thanks in advance for input.

Chris · January 17, 2013

Will you do a leveling kit?

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LT1MCSS · January 17, 2013

I am trying to decide the same thing. First I would look to look to see what type of tire or brand you might want to run. Like the above poster asked, have you at least considered installing a leveling kit?

Some of the tires I found I liked are:

BFG All Terrain KO

Nitto Terra Grappler

Toyo Open Country AT2

Yokohama Geolander ATS (I currently run these on my 2500 the last 4-5 years and I'm happy with them)

Of the tires I listed above even though I currently have a set of the Geo's on my 2500 and my mom has them on her explorer I like the clean sidewall look of the Terra's. My friend put them on his 08 Silverado almost 2 years ago and seems happy with them. I think I may give them a shot. The KO's are nice too but they are only available in E-rated tires over 17" so it makes them heavier than some of the others. If you plan on getting an E-rated tire anyway I would seriously consider them.

I know you could at least run a 275/65/18 or a 285/65/18. The 275 is 32.07" the 285 is 32.58" I'm not sure a 275/70/18 would fit even with a leveling kit. It's 33.15" I honestly don't think it will fit even with a leveling kit. Maybe if you got the right offset and backspacing it would work. Most people seem to run the stock +31mm offset or +20mm or +18mm with the leveling kits.

For me, I think I'm still going to go with the 275/65/18. Its a little wider and taller than the stock 265/65/18 tire. I would really like to run the 285/65's but the tires are more expensive and heavier since most of the tires i found I like in that size are E-rated (10-ply) tires. I just don't think it's going to be worth spending the extra lugging around the extra weight and wider tire for an extra 1/4" of sidewall and 1/2" overall. Obviously the heavier and wider the tires the more it will effect your gas mileage. I know the tire compound (harder/softer rubber) also plays a roll in mpg but since I really don't have a good way to measure that accurately it's out of my control. In my case I currently run the 20" factory wheels so they're already pretty heavy. The factory 20" (275/55/20) combo is around 78lbs ea. So I'm using that for my baseline.

I haven't bought wheels and tires yet. I'm going to wait till after winter. So, I still have time to change my mind.

Big Whiskey · January 17, 2013

To the OP...give us more infomation so we can help you better. What year and model is your truck? 2wd or 4wd? Will you put a leveling kit on the front? Are you going to run stock 18's or aftermarket? If you're changing to aftermarket rims, then what offset and backspacing? There are too many variables to give you an accurate answer without more information.

ShowOnTurf · January 18, 2013

I am considering putting a leveling kit. People advised me not to I know mostly everyone on here has. I guess how LT said I wouldnt mind putting a kit but if the tire wont fit then whats the point. I guess at this point is if anyone of you may know if I do put the kit if the 275/70/18 would fit. By the way it's 09 and its a 4x2.

Big Whiskey · January 18, 2013

Ok, there are plenty of guys that run 275/70/18's with a level kit on stock rims...on 4x4 trucks...without a problem. I've never paid much attention to 2wd trucks...because I've always needed a 4x4...but I think they traditionally sit a bit lower than a comparable 4wd. So, although the 4x4 guys can run that size without any problems...you may have to trim a little bit because your truck sits lower. For a 2wd, I'd probably recommend a 275/65/18...to avoid rubbing issues, and give you the chance to run aftermarket rims...since you didn't specify what type of rims you plan to use. Hopefully, some of the 2wd guys will chime in, and give you some more insight.

blackout07 · January 18, 2013

If this is a 900 there is no difference in the height of a 2 or 4 wd.

LT1MCSS · January 18, 2013

Ok, there are plenty of guys that run 275/70/18's with a level kit on stock rims...on 4x4 trucks...without a problem. I've never paid much attention to 2wd trucks...because I've always needed a 4x4...but I think they traditionally sit a bit lower than a comparable 4wd. So, although the 4x4 guys can run that size without any problems...you may have to trim a little bit because your truck sits lower. For a 2wd, I'd probably recommend a 275/65/18...to avoid rubbing issues, and give you the chance to run aftermarket rims...since you didn't specify what type of rims you plan to use. Hopefully, some of the 2wd guys will chime in, and give you some more insight.

That's actually good to know. I was curious if a 275/70/18 would fit with a leveling kit. I wasn't sure if it would since that tire is around 33.15" I figured it would still rub at full lock at least.

Big Whiskey · January 22, 2013

If this is a 900 there is no difference in the height of a 2 or 4 wd.

Interesting. I didn't know that.

That's actually good to know. I was curious if a 275/70/18 would fit with a leveling kit. I wasn't sure if it would since that tire is around 33.15" I figured it would still rub at full lock at least.

On stock rims, you should be fine...unless the brand of tire you choose runs abnormally large for its size. I've seen many, many sets of BFG AT's ran in that size without issue.