Need some tire choice help 18s

ct_corey · July 12, 2016

ive been looking at picture of tire set ups for a while now. I just picked up a set of factory 18s and need to buy tires. I currently have oem 20 inch wheels but the tires are conti highway tires. I drove the same truck as mine with 18s and the ride was much better. I would like to go a bit bigger then OEM size on the 18s. My truck has a 1.5 level kit in the front. I see people going with a 275/70r18. I see that most tires in this size are E load. Will this affect ride quality? Also like to see what others are running for tire size with just a front level kit. I would like to not loose to much fuel economy, all though its not a big deal. I would like a tire that is aggressive looking but not to loud. Thanks

Headqrts66 · July 12, 2016

285/70R17 Method "The Standard" wheels of BFG KO2. Love it.

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rockfish24 · July 12, 2016

I went with 285/65/18 BFG KO2. Not to loud on the highway and not much bigger than stock. I can't comment on MPG because I had the dealership install them when I bought the truck. They are an LT tire so they will be a little stiffer than a P rated for ride quality. They are also winter rated which gets me 5% insurance discount where I live. Mine fit without a level so you won't have a problem.

Back in a Bowtie · July 12, 2016

33x12.5 nitto ridge grapplers!!! the look of a mud terrain but the quietness and road friendliness of an all terrain.

ct_corey · July 12, 2016

so many options. its hard to make a choice

ct_corey · July 12, 2016

any pictures of the nittos?

amxguy1970 · July 12, 2016

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Nitto+ridge+grapplers

Honestly you will probably get over half the people saying get the BFG's, they are the newest must have tire for looks. Problem is they are expensive, more so where there are other better choices for a much more reasonable where you aren't paying for a name. The Nitto Terra Grappler is probably the second most recommended AT tire (looks/newness > performance for many people).

To answer your questions, yes a LT tire will ride rougher (kinda negate the smaller rim choice). Most likely in that size they will be E-rated (for some reason C-rated are hard to find which is ideal in many instances. It will be worse on gas (because of the added weight, the more aggressive tread and wider tire).

If you want an in between tire Hankook ATM's are well liked. The Cooper AT3 is highly rated in both off road tests and normal drivers and it is cheaper, though the sidewall isn't as "cool".

The ridge grapplers are a hybrid which is a cross between an aggressive AT tire and a mud tire. If this is a light off road and mainly highway truck they will be overkill but look cool. Many run a hybrid because they look more aggressive like a mud tire but have slightly better road manners. All those and the more aggressive AT tires will give more road noise than what you have.

Not sure what cost range you are looking but unless you tow a ton of heavier weight or off road heavily go P over E-rated (your ride and MPG will thank you). Lots of options, just search around. Tons of other forums with info on tires like Toyota and Jeep forums so search those too. I like the General Grabber AT2 for a cost effective BGF KO2 alternative.

Best of luck. When I replace my stocks on my 18's it will be either the Cooper AT3 or General Grabber AT2 (the truck will be doing some scenic trail riding).

Tyler

ct_corey · July 12, 2016

was almost thinking going just a bit bigger with a 265/70. I can get reg load duratracs for about 200 each

ct_corey · July 12, 2016

only issue im running into is any of the bigger sizes are only load E 275/70 or 285/65 so maybe just go up to a 265/70

arcasey · July 12, 2016

Everything amxguy1970 said is true and I am not disagreeing with any of it, but there is more than just the reason of the name that BFG's typically cost more. They last longer than most all of the other all-terrain tires of equal aggressiveness, with the exception of the Nitto Terra Grapplers. Had a set of the General Grabber AT's or AT2's and a set of the BFG AT KO's and the KO's outlasted the Grabbers by at least 15k on my truck and my driving style (which didn't change from one tire to the next). Just something to keep in mind. I know BFG is running a $50 rebate on a set of 4 tires right now through July 17th (I think). I don't know if it is nationwide or a regional rebate. Just an idea on cost I just had a set of 4 BFG AT KO2's installed (285/75r16) for $978.00 out the door.

Goodyear Duratracs are going to be louder than the previously mentioned AT tires above.