Why Do My Tires Suck?

[sahls01gmc]

I have an '01 Sierra 2500LD 4x4, and I put 285/75/16 BFG A/T's on it about a year ago. I have been anything but impressed with their performance. I can't tell you how many times I have gotten stuck when I've gone off-roading. I have a buddy that has an '06 F-150 with 265/70/17 BFG A/T's, and his truck can run circles around mine off road. Also, I drove an '08 F-250 bone stock (had a plow on the front) with 245/75/16 (whatever came stock), and it hardly ever slipped on a parking lot with snow while in 4WD. Not to say Ford is better, but those are my only comparisons. My truck struggles to go up decent hills when the roads have snow on them with these tires.

 

I am somewhat to believe that these tires are too wide for the amount of weight my truck is. Either that, or these tires are not aggressive enough for this size, but I don't want to go that route since it's a DD.

 

I don't disagree that different driving styles get different results, but when i drive my truck (in 4WD) in the snow, it goes all over the place if i go more than 1/2 throttle. The '08 F-250 HARDLY slipped at all even when I floored it.

 

What am I missing?

 

 

Thanks

 

 

James

[Tylerz71]

thats weird.

Most people say the BFG AT is one of the best A/T tires made...

and my 2000 Sierra performs great offroad since I got my 285/70-17 Kumho's. but it sucked with the 265 Goodyears.

 

I really dont know what to say here...

[Hulk1999]

maybe the fords have a locker or a LSD in the rear. Could be there in 4LO and are creeping up hill. I run Mud Grappler on my Chevy and 32x11.50 BFG A/T on my dodge. I found that my dodge handles the simple stuff with ease and it's a open diff. I drove it in the snow (the Ram) to work one day and it maintained traction pretty well, but i was only going like 30-45. I think the vortec puts out soo much more power then the ford (as it should be) that the tires spin. I know when i drive the big block on snow it spins for a sec and then the lsd kicks in and i get traction. the dodge doesn't do that unless i mash the go pedal on purpose. Maybe you should check your tires to ensure you're running the proper air pressure.

Hulk

[sahls01gmc]

Most people say the BFG AT is one of the best A/T tires made...

 

I know, that's exactly why I bought those tires. I also bought them in that size because a lot of people ran that size, and had great results.

 

I'm confused as to why they are so bad in my case.

 

I know tire pressure can make a difference, but not that extreme of a difference.

[2000DV4.8]

I think HulkBlock8.1 hit the nail on the head when he mentioned lockers.

[Zembonez]

What am I missing?

My guess is skill and locking diffs...

 

Four wheelin' (especially in mud) takes skill and locking differentials. I've seen a lot of so called 4x4s spinning one wheel at each end and going nowhere. I've also seen novice pilots screaming deeper and deeper into the mud with their foot planted to the floor... That and ATs are not designed for mud. They are designed for rough terrain.

 

I'm not knocking you here. I don't know what your skill level is or what kind of equipment your rig has but you really can't blame the BFGs. They are one of the most proven tires on the planet.

[sahls01gmc]

What am I missing?

 

 

I'm not knocking you here. I don't know what your skill level is or what kind of equipment your rig has but you really can't blame the BFGs. They are one of the most proven tires on the planet.

 

 

I'm not trying to say I am an excellent off-roader, but when i see a night and day difference between the F-250 and my truck (even though i clearly have more aggressive tires), it makes me wonder what the difference is.

 

It just seems to me that the tires are too wide. In 2WD, the truck will get sideways way too easy in the snow. In the F-250 in 2WD, it takes some convincing throttle to get it to go sideways.

 

In my mind, it just makes sense that if the tires aren't as wide, they will force more pressure on each tire due to the thinner width. I know snow shoes are designed to be wide enough to not sink, but I think that is what's affecting me the most on snow. The tires are so wide that they won't bite through the snow enough to get to the pavement....am I crazy???

[Zembonez]

What am I missing?

 

 

I'm not knocking you here. I don't know what your skill level is or what kind of equipment your rig has but you really can't blame the BFGs. They are one of the most proven tires on the planet.

 

 

I'm not trying to say I am an excellent off-roader, but when i see a night and day difference between the F-250 and my truck (even though i clearly have more aggressive tires), it makes me wonder what the difference is.

 

It just seems to me that the tires are too wide. In 2WD, the truck will get sideways way too easy in the snow. In the F-250 in 2WD, it takes some convincing throttle to get it to go sideways.

 

In my mind, it just makes sense that if the tires aren't as wide, they will force more pressure on each tire due to the thinner width. I know snow shoes are designed to be wide enough to not sink, but I think that is what's affecting me the most on snow. The tires are so wide that they won't bite through the snow enough to get to the pavement....am I crazy???

 

There isn't enough difference in the tire sizes to make such a big difference in performance. A little bit? Maybe so bit I still say there is a mechanical difference and possibly a weight difference that are the main causes.

[Woodcutter]

I have an '01 Sierra 2500LD 4x4, and I put 285/75/16 BFG A/T's on it about a year ago.

 

I am somewhat to believe that these tires are too wide for the amount of weight my truck is.

 

James, I agree with the tires' being "too wide". For better traction, a skinnier tire will increase the contact pressure applied through the tires to the ground. Try out a set of LT255/85R16 instead of the 285s you have on now.

[wellinghurst]

There must be a mechanical difference in the trucks. I drive all types of trucks here at work, and I can tell a big difference just in the rain. For example, a Nissan Titan will not spin the tires nearly as easily as a Dodge Ram in the rain. Some throttles are touchier, lockers, etc.

[ws6_guy]

Could also be a different PSI level, are your pumped up high? & did the Fords have a lower PSI?

[BigJayDogg3]

I know for snow skinnier tires are better. You want to cut through the snow, and not stay on top. I'll find the topic I read that in if I can.

 

EDIT: Here it is: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...st&p=495280

 

 

As for the poor control in poor footing, check to see if you have a locker. In the glovebox check for the RPO code G80.

[justin95]

Well, its an AT. You cant expect much in mud.

[markw8]

If you have the stock 6.5 wide wheels, your tires are too wide for them. If you have more than about 25#s in them, especially the rears, the tread will be crowned, and you loose contact patch. Mark.

[sahls01gmc]

Wow, thanks a lot for all the responses guys! This is really helping me out.

 

I'm not sure about tire pressure, but I'm pretty sure they are at 65lbs right now. (Whatever the "stock" tire pressure is) I've had these tires about a year now, and the tread is actually wearing evenly, even in the rear. I haven't driven my truck in the snow with the "stock" tires, so I can't exactly compare to what it was like. But the F-250 had 245's, and it had no problem getting around in the snow.

 

I know those tires aren't designed for mud, but (like mentioned before) I have a friend with an '04 F-150 with 265/70/17's BFG A/T's, and that truck drives through mud like it's dirt, while mine is getting stuck 5 feet off the paved road (literally at one point).

 

I know that both rear tires do not spin together (like a locker would), when I am off-roading. What are the characteristics when the truck is in 4LO? I was trying to help pull a skid-loader up a hill (he was slipping in the rain, I was on a dirty road) and I know that the front wheels would not spin like rear wheels did. I'm not sure if there a certain procedure to fully engage 4LO, like fords do i believe. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

I guess one thing I can try for now is to lower the tire pressure the next time I go off-road.

 

 

Thanks again for helping me out

 

 

James