285 tires

[scooter70]

I want to go to 285s on my 2000 Z71.  I don't do much (any) off roading, but I like the looks of the BFG All Terrain TAs.  Are they too much tire for what I will use?  My commute is ~40 miles a day of surface streets (stop and go to 55mph) so I don't want something that's going to be too loud or wear out in 7000 miles.

I've read good things about the Michelin LTX AT, but it doesn't look like they come in 285.    What else is out there that you guys would recommend?  

TIA.

Matt

[THE BIGPUNN]

i just went with 285's. i wanted name brand so my picks were goodyear a/t, bfg, dunlop, cooper, yokohoma's or Kelly's. i also didnt want to pay an arm and a leg. i wanted something agressive looking for the looks, i too hardly off road. i went with the goodyear a/t's. because of the tread design they are a bit noisy. the BFG's i really wanted but i could'nt pay that much, if you have the money for BFG without a doubt get them. everyone seems to like BFG's. you can get good information at tirerack.com.

[scooter70]

Thanks for your reply.  Tirerack doesn't have much for 285s and they don't carry the BFG All Terrain TAs because BFG makes their dealers charge a certain price in order to keep prices up.  (I think they call it MVP.  They say it's to protect the value of the tires.)  Therefore, since Tirerack can't discount them, they stopped carrying them....  at least that's how it used to be.  Now they just say to check back later.

 

Thanks.  I guess that's 1 vote for the BFGs.

[woyster_00z71]

I have 31x10.50x15 BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires on my 1997 truck.  I got them put on at about 14,000 miles and currently have 82,000 miles on the truck.  I replaced two tires about 15,000 miles ago and I am about to replace the other two (money willing) because the tread is almost gone.  But, 53,000 and 68,000 miles on all-terrain tires isn't too bad.  I rarely do any off-roading especially since it is a 2wd truck so they are about 99% highway/city miles.  As far as noise goes, I like a slight road noise and these are nice...not anything that you can't hear over or have to turn up the radio to cover.  Overall, I love these tires.  As soon as my 2000 Silverado needs tires, I will probably put 285 BFG's on it as well.

 

I have had experience with Michelin's too, although not the A/T.  I had a '92 F*%d with 30x9.5x15 LTX M/S tires on it.  I liked them alot too.  Lots of grip in all weather conditions and very quiet on the highway.  I like my BFG's much better though plus I think they look better.

 

My opinion...BFG!

[84john]

avoid MICHELIN LTX AT !!! had them on my new 99 ram 2500

only got 27,000 miles with them. then i put a set of GOODYEAR WRANGLER ATX got 50,000 miles with those (not to bad) just put on a set of KELLY TRAIL MARK APR ( I do not like these at all , poor wet/dry traction , weak contact patch, dont handle well) BFG GOODRICH ALL TERRAINS ARE THE WAY TO GO ( LOOK GOOD. HANDLE GREAT, WEAR LIKE IRON ) my friend got 65,000 on his last set and could have ran them at least another 5-10 but it was winter  so he bought another set

[Z71Adrenaline]

I would highly recommend the 285 Sport King AT's.  We've got them on our 2000 Z71 and they look, ride, and perform very well.  They ride better than the stock 265's did.  We had them on our old Dodge Dakota and they did very well on it so they last a long time!

[Nick R]

Take a look at the bridgestone dueler's a/t's. I have them on my avalanche and like them alot. They are cheaper than the bfg's all terains($141vs$167) . I had bfg's befoe and got 44,000 miles on them and still had good tread left. Just could not justify the difference for bfg's. Now if you want solid white letter they are one of the few. Dueler A/T's have outline white letters on them. I don't notice to much noise with them. Now if you are thinking Bridgestone=Firestone the 285's are made in Japan not in Illinois where firestone had all the troubled tires come from. I also have had some Trailmark APR's, they were worse than the factory Goodyear Wrangler RTS's that GM used before. my $.02

[desertZ71]

My $.02 too. I currently have Bridgestone Dueler A/T's (LT265/75R16) on my 2000 Z71. Got rid of the Wilderness A/T's the day after I bought the used truck in December 2001. Besides, one tire had quarter size chunks out of it's tread. For me, the Dueler A/T's are rugged looking enough, fairly quiet--but audible, a decent riding street tire and they have been grrreat for desert hard dirt and soft sand off roading; A good compromise tire leaning towards off road. I plan to have them till worn out so the long term cost factor is minimal for me.

This week I thought long and hard, agonized back and forth about moving from 265's to 285's. Eagerly I asked and Firestone offered to exchange my now used 265's for new 285's--I'd just pay the tire price difference and pay for a 285 spare tire. I'm a regular customer and so as a favor the franchise would absorb all other costs. Plus I'd pay the Chevy dealer to get the computer reprogrammed at least for the speedometer and anti-lock brakes. I scheduled the install and the reprograming. Bigger, better, kool. Then after closely checking the existing front tires clearance from all steering angles, I saw the inside wall minimum clearance was only 2 fingers and the tread at times was 1 finger from the wheel well. I wondered how close is it when driving and the tire is bouncing and flexing, especially with 285's? I've read in this group and in another, that some have put 285's on their Z71's and have had been satisfied or pleased with the results--no problems; One reason I considered 285's. But, after further reading I have also read of minor to serious rubbing. Some have adjusted the torsion bars and/or installed lifts, and trimmed the plastic to correct or minimize the rub. For some it was hopeless. I decided that on my vehicle the Deuler 285's would possibly rub, if not on the street then most likely while off roading. Considering the above and the possible slight loss of power and lower MPG, I cancelled the appointments.

I am again pleased with my Dueler A/T 265's. OK, more like my $.08 worth.

[Stepside Z]

I have 285 BFGs and love them. They are a little pricy but well worth the money. jmho

[RyanbabZ71]

I have 285's.  Dealers cannot reprogram for them gotta leave it and have a reading that is off or pay $300 for a hypertech programmer.  

 

I have had no rubbing problems at all.  Even with moderate offroading no problems

 

Price is high but the bfg's are a quality tire

[caddelma]

I have 31x10.50x15 BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires on my 1997 truck.  I got them put on at about 14,000 miles and currently have 82,000 miles on the truck.  I replaced two tires about 15,000 miles ago and I am about to replace the other two (money willing) because the tread is almost gone.  But, 53,000 and 68,000 miles on all-terrain tires isn't too bad.  I rarely do any off-roading especially since it is a 2wd truck so they are about 99% highway/city miles.  As far as noise goes, I like a slight road noise and these are nice...not anything that you can't hear over or have to turn up the radio to cover.  Overall, I love these tires.  As soon as my 2000 Silverado needs tires, I will probably put 285 BFG's on it as well.

 

I have had experience with Michelin's too, although not the A/T.  I had a '92 F*%d with 30x9.5x15 LTX M/S tires on it.  I liked them alot too.  Lots of grip in all weather conditions and very quiet on the highway.  I like my BFG's much better though plus I think they look better.

 

My opinion...BFG!

I have a 98 EXT cab 2wd, that will be needing new tires soon.  I want a wider/taller tire than the stock 235-75-R15 Tiger Pucks.  Do you have any pics of your 1997 with the 31x10.50's.  I am curious how they would look.  I have been told they will fit a stock 2wd, with maybe slight rubbing.

[woyster_00z71]

I have a 98 EXT cab 2wd, that will be needing new tires soon.  I want a wider/taller tire than the stock 235-75-R15 Tiger Pucks.  Do you have any pics of your 1997 with the 31x10.50's.  I am curious how they would look.  I have been told they will fit a stock 2wd, with maybe slight rubbing.

 

sorry...I don't have any pictures of the truck (but I might be able to borrow a digital camera from work and snap a few at lunch).  I thought I did but can't seem to find any.  I can tell you a little more about my setup though.  First of all, I mounted them on 15x10" wheels to get them to stick out a little bit.  This makes the tires a little more squatty then with the stock 15x8" rims and not quite as tall.  In the beginning, I had some serious rubbing problems.  Not while turning but whenever I hit a bump or any small dip.  It was hitting the metal flashing around the wheel well and bending it up pretty badly.  In addition, it was cutting the tires.  I thought eventually it would bend the fender.  So, being that it was a 2wd and I didn't necessarily want to lift it, I got some twist in spring spacers from the local autoparts store.  I had to put two in each side to stiffen the springs up.  Since then I don't have any problems except when I go over a dip too fast and then I get some minor rubbing depending on speed.

 

Other than that I have been extrememly happy with the tires.  I am not happy about the speedometer error though.  I have gotten probably 5 speeding tickets because of the incorrect mph reading.  All but 2 I have gotten taken off and I am trying to fight this most recent one.  I even had the dealership reprogram the computer but on this past ticket, the speedometer was 9 mph off!  That is why I am fighting the ticket...because I have proof that I paid to have the speedometer taken care of and thought that it was.  The cop told me the only thing he has to go by is his radar and it is calibrated weekly.  My defense is the same...the only thing I have to go by is my speedometer and it was calibrated recently too.

 

Anyway, sorry to ramble.  I hope this has helped.  I really like the tires and decided to do what I had to to make them work out.  I am pleased with the results...now if I could only fix the speedo  :lookaround:

 

B.J.

[caddelma]

Thanks for the info.  I have thought about using some Daystar coil spring spacers to raise the front about 1 to 1.5 inches.  But I would hate to spend extra money if I won't like how it works.  I may just drop down to a 30x9.50 instead.  I have those twist in spacers (1 each spring) to help control the sway caused by the tiger pucks and pogo stick shocks.  I have about 33k on my truck with the original tires and shocks and it bounces/sways everywhere.  My dad has a 1997 with 65k+ with the original tires, but with some gabriel sport ryder shocks and it handles/rides better than mine.  I am thinking about getting the BFG Long Trail tires and either bilstein (comfort valving) or monroe sensa-tracs depending on money.  I just want the rolling to stop, and the potholes....

[desertZ71]

I have Bilstein BE5-2904 front and BE5-2905 rear HD shocks on my Z71. $49.99 each at Autozone and at one source on the Internet and $54.95 most places. According to a local off road salesman there is not yet a comfort valving for them.

 

http://www.bilstein.com/specs.html

 

They are firm, though, which at first was disappointing, but now I really appreciate the improved handling, stability, positive tire to road contact, lack of float, and off road capability. When I was thinking of getting comfort shocks the Chevy service rep recommended the Monroe Sensa-Tracs.

[caddelma]

I have Bilstein BE5-2904 front and BE5-2905 rear HD shocks on my Z71. $49.99 each at Autozone and at one source on the Internet and $54.95 most places. According to a local off road salesman there is not yet a comfort valving for them.

 

http://www.bilstein.com/specs.html

 

They are firm, though, which at first was disappointing, but now I really appreciate the improved handling, stability, positive tire to road contact, lack of float, and off road capability. When I was thinking of getting comfort shocks the Chevy service rep recommended the Monroe Sensa-Tracs.

If I do decide on the Bilsteins, I will problably get them at Autozone as well.  I will stick with the comfort setting however which are available for mine since my truck stays mostly on-road.  For my 2wd C1500 they are 49.99 each.  Sensa-Tacs run about 33.99 each (Advance Auto Parts).  I would probably prefer the Bilsteins, but the boss (read wife) wants to see DisneyWorld in June.  Her F*rd Contour needs new rear struts ($200), my truck needs new tires ($400+) and shocks ($145 to $210), so I am trying to minimize expenses w/o getting junk.  It would nice if Monroe offers the buy 3 get 4th free deal again soon