Advise on Tires and Rims

Dave Austin · December 25, 2001

Ok, I am ready to go to 285's. I do a little snow and a little sand. I want to keep my "E" rating because I will be towing a large toy trailer in the future. Are aluminum wheels ok for this type of towing or do I need to keep all steel. Do I have to shave anything to fit the larger tires? Finally I want an all chrome (Highly Chrome in a six spoke design) wheel. What are your suggestions and where on the web can I take a look................thanks.............

gandolphxx · December 25, 2001

Here are some thoughts based on the assumption that you have a HD - then the wheels are 16x6.5 a little small for 285's - you will also have to work around the clearance issues.

Wheels: Super strong forged wheels - probably the 16x8's

http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/wheels/challenger.html

Tires: A great "E" rated all duty tire - supposed to be very quiet on the highway.

http://www.intercotire.com/html/tr_x_us.htm

I would have this on my 2500 AV if I could fit the tires in the front without a lift.

My $.02 - Merry Christmas.

VegasDude · December 25, 2001

Yes, I have an HD. Forgot my password on this board had to come in on my own name............thanks for the advice on the tires and rims........they look great............

Kansas Kid · December 26, 2001

Tires: A great "E" rated all duty tire - supposed to be very quiet on the highway.

Man, I didn't know anybody even made a 285/75R16 tire in a load range "E". I know Cooper, BFG, Goodyear, and the other main brands don't. I hope they start too though, because thats exactly the kind of load rating I need, over 3400lbs. I really like my Cooper mud tires, but if they don't start offering a tire with that kind of load rating I might have to consider the tire you linked too.

gandolphxx · December 26, 2001

If you are interested here is a great article - it got me looking into the combo - I have the MT Challengers - love them - had to go with 16x7 on the front to get clearance - just wish I could fit the tires in the front without dismembering the wheel well.

http://www.extreme4x4.com/vol5num3/alcoa/page1.html

CMNT81 · December 26, 2001

What are BFG All Terrains for a load rating? I too don't want to lose my trailer weight ratings, but I love the BFG All Terrain's.

gandolphxx · December 26, 2001

BFG All-terrain T/A KO's have good load ratings - they are mostly "D" rated - 8 ply, The "E" rated above are 10 ply - supposed to be better for towing - so the book says.

Check out: http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/

CMNT81 · December 26, 2001

Oh good! I can live with the difference between "D" and "E" load ratings.

Kansas Kid · December 27, 2001

Oh good! I can live with the difference between "D" and "E" load ratings.

Yeah, you actually gained some weight rating when swapping out the stock tires, even though the stock tires were load range "E". (3042lbs vs 3305lbs) I think that 3300lbs is the standard weight rating for LT285/75R16D tires, no matter the manufacturer.

To be quite honest, I could probably run the same tire you are and have enough load capacity, but with such a large sidewall I feel much better towing with a 10ply tire. They are quite abit tougher (particulary the sidewall) and more stable when towing then a 8ply tire. Thats why I was happy to see those tires listed above.