towing with 285 tires

heavyduty guy · January 25, 2004

i am getting ready to put some 285s on my 03 2500hd 4x4 and my campers total weight loaded is about 6700lbs will these tires create a problem with towing? and also i was thinking of changing my factory shocks, can any recomend a good shock for towing i dont do any offroading with it thanks

Shotgun · January 25, 2004

I tow fine with 305's and have made several long distance trips. As far as the shocks your factory shocks should be ok for a few more years,whats your reason for wanting to change them?

heavyduty guy · January 25, 2004

i cranked my t bars about an inch just to level the truck a little and then i hauled some plywood and the back ones seemed to want to bottom out i know the weight wasent nothing i had 15 sheets of 1/2 inch maybe it was just me, i have been use to driveing duallys for 5 years and this is the first single rear wheel truck i have owned in a while

BlackSilver · January 25, 2004

As long as you're 285's are load range E, and you inflate them properly (80#) you should be good to go.

Shotgun · January 25, 2004

As long as you're 285's are load range E, and you inflate them properly (80#) you should be good to go.

A load range D ,285-70-16 is rated at a max load of 3,305lbs@ 65 psi which is more than a 245-75-16 load range E is rated at I used Goodyear MTR specs for this info.

Wingnut · January 25, 2004

I have towed that much in a 1/2 ton with 285s. It didn't like it much, but the tires were not the weakest link. Suspension was.

You should be fine, as long as (as stated above) you make sure they are load range "E", and are aired up around 80psi for the towing. Rest of the time, air them down to around 40...Or they ride too rough in my opinion.

heavyduty guy · January 25, 2004

the tires i ordered are not load range e they are rated at 3305@65 psi cold is this tire not suffecent to use in my applacation?

Shaners · January 26, 2004

the tires i ordered are not load range e they are rated at 3305@65 psi cold is this tire not suffecent to use in my applacation?

Just air them up, and they should handle the weight...

gmcjoe · January 26, 2004

As long as you're 285's are load range E, and you inflate them properly (80#) you should be good to go.

Cool - a Bonneville with a 5th wheel

JimWilson · January 26, 2004

The OEM shocks are garbage. The sooner you replace them the happier you'll be.

285's don't necessarily need to be E rated in order to handle what you want to haul. I have D rated 285's, which actually have a 10% higher weight rating then the 245 E's did.

The heaviest thing I ever towed was about 8K, and my truck did just fine. Unless you're talking weights close to the limit you really shouldn't have a problem with 285 D's. I certainly haven't, and I've also had 3K in the bed more then once too.

Redapple · January 26, 2004

No Worries at all. Tow away! I towed extensively on my 2k Z71 w/285's no probs. I only have one tow on my Duramax w/285's, but no probs there either.

Bill

heavyduty guy · January 29, 2004

The OEM shocks are garbage. The sooner you replace them the happier you'll be.

285's don't necessarily need to be E rated in order to handle what you want to haul. I have D rated 285's, which actually have a 10% higher weight rating then the 245 E's did.

The heaviest thing I ever towed was about 8K, and my truck did just fine. Unless you're talking weights close to the limit you really shouldn't have a problem with 285 D's. I certainly haven't, and I've also had 3K in the bed more then once too.

i heard alot of people complain about the factory shocks and i noticed they dont feel right with a little weight on what would be a good shock for towing i doubt i will be doing any off roading

JimWilson · January 29, 2004

I'm running the Rancho 9000 adjustables. You can set them up one way when your truck is empty, and then make them stiffer when towing or packing heavy. I definitely recommend them.