Air pressure ? for 285 BFG's

Upstate RednEck · September 9, 2005

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. I just got a set of 285 75 16 BFG TA KO's. I know these tires run hot and right now I am not getting a good contact patch (overinflation) what is a good pressure to run if the truck is empty, no towing, to get the best wear and fuel economy? I did a search but could not find a sure answer for this brand of tire.

Thanks in advance!

JON

Mattt · September 9, 2005

Ive run mine at 50 PSI unloaded. I usually air them up to 65 when towing. With gas prices where they are, I recently aired them up to 60 to try to maximize MPG.

WileE1 · September 9, 2005

I run my 295's at 55 PSI wear is great, no problems

builderpaul · September 9, 2005

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. I just got a set of 285 75 16 BFG TA KO's. I know these tires run hot and right now I am not getting a good contact patch (overinflation) what is a good pressure to run if the truck is empty, no towing, to get the best wear and fuel economy? I did a search but could not find a sure answer for this brand of tire.

Thanks in advance!

JON

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I assume you got at least load range D. If so I would run them about 55 unloaded.

Mattt · September 10, 2005

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. I just got a set of 285 75 16 BFG TA KO's. I know these tires run hot and right now I am not getting a good contact patch (overinflation) what is a good pressure to run if the truck is empty, no towing, to get the best wear and fuel economy? I did a search but could not find a sure answer for this brand of tire.

Thanks in advance!

JON

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I assume you got at least load range D. If so I would run them about 55 unloaded.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think thats the only load range available in the BFGs,,,,no?

vhato · September 10, 2005

A 285/75r16D runing 55 pounds should wear in the center fast.

A good decent inflation for this tire and Load D rating, assuming you aren't towing, is 40 in front and 35 out back.

The ride will be close to plush for an HD and the mileage will be outstanding. The contact patch will be stock looking. The front tire when viewed from the side will have maybe 3 lugs on the ground and the rear may have 1 and half when viewed from the side.

If you tow with an HD you should have an E range tire. I think BFG does offer the 285 in E Range.

I just set up a friend 20 minutes ago on his extracab HD with this exact tire. The tire shop had him at 65 PSI all the way around.

Mighty HD · September 11, 2005

I was wandering why the hell everyone says 50+ on the BFG..even the mud terrains. I keep them @ 35 all the way around and have perfect wear.

Shawn T · September 12, 2005

No way, 55psi? I run 40 all of the way around. They barely bulge. I you run anything over 50 your going to wear them right down the middle. Plus it will ride like a tank.

Upstate RednEck · September 12, 2005

I was out looking at them this weekend, I have about 500 miles on the tires and the nubbies were still on the outermost portion of the tire. The tire shop had them at 60-65 all the way around. I lowered it down to 45 all the way around and seem to be getting a better wear. Does anyone know if there is a formula to determine how much pressure should be in the tire based on the weight of the vehicle when you upsize? My SOTP feel is that it should be in the 38-45 range for this size.

Thanks

Upstate RednEck · September 12, 2005

If you tow with an HD you should have an E range tire. I think BFG does offer the 285 in E Range.

BFG will offer it in a Load Range E later on this quarter or after the first of the year

Shawn T · September 12, 2005

If you tow with an HD you should have an E range tire. I think BFG does offer the 285 in E Range.

BFG will offer it in a Load Range E later on this quarter or after the first of the year

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A 285 D has a higher weight rating than a 245 or 265 E rated tire. I had trouble getting my tire dealer into mounting D tires on a truck that had E's from the factory. I just showed him the rated weight # on the side of the tire and he put his foot in his mouth and mounted them up.

Upstate RednEck · September 12, 2005

If you tow with an HD you should have an E range tire. I think BFG does offer the 285 in E Range.

BFG will offer it in a Load Range E later on this quarter or after the first of the year

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A 285 D has a higher weight rating than a 245 or 265 E rated tire. I had trouble getting my tire dealer into mounting D tires on a truck that had E's from the factory. I just showed him the rated weight # on the side of the tire and he put his foot in his mouth and mounted them up.

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yepper, thats why I got the D's instead of waiting for E's to be availible and at a higher $

Mattt · September 12, 2005

Any HD rides like a tank unloaded. Its a heavy truck with nothing to compress the springs when unloaded.

When I had mine down in the 35-40 PSI range, I could really feel the difference. Leaving from a stop I would have to get on the gas. The truck wouldnt start to roll instantly without the go pedal. Those running low pressure, sit in D and take your foot off the brake, will your truck roll right away? If not, you are probably underinflated. Also, underinflated tires run hot, heat kills tires. I wonder what BFG themselves would say to running a 6000lb truck with low air pressure.

Mattt · September 12, 2005

If you tow with an HD you should have an E range tire. I think BFG does offer the 285 in E Range.

BFG will offer it in a Load Range E later on this quarter or after the first of the year

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I thought that was the case, no LR E 285 BFG. I looked myself before buying the set I have.

Shawn T · September 12, 2005

BFG.com

Appearantly they do make an E rated 285 now. On another note, a D rated 285 is good for 3307lbs @ 65psi. I know for a fact that any one corner of my truck will never exceed or even meet that weight. Yes, at 45 psi my truck will move from a standstill in drive without touching the pedal. These trucks have enough low end torque to overcome the minimal amount of rolling resistance applied with lower air pressure in the tires. If the rear springs do not flex easily, would'nt you want the tires to take some of the burden? These new 1500 series trucks with 20's are beating the piss out of the suspension and body components for one simple reason. They are riding on rocks. And I haven't heard of any of them getting better gas mileage because they put "harder" tires on.