Need Help With Tires...

[roody]

My dad is looking into new tires for his truck. The only thing he knows is that he wants bigger tires than the stock 245s. The truck is a 2008 Silverado 2500HD 4WD Crew Cab.

 

He needs a long-lasting All Terrain that does decently off-road and in the snow. He would also like it to be fairly aggressive looking and (relatively) smooth on the road.

 

So what size would you recommend? He doesn't want to have to trim or crank the t-bars. Would 285s fit?

 

Also, which tire do you think is best for him? BF-Goodrich All Terrain? Pro Comp All-Terrain? Nitto Terra Grappler? Toyo Open Country A/T?

 

Finally, what about load ratings? The stock tires have an "E" rating...should he get another tire with the same rating? Does this have any influence on which tires he should buy?

 

Thanks for any help with this! He really appreciates it.

[BigJayDogg3]

I have heard mixed reviews on the Terra Grapplers. They are a quiet tire, and they perform well, but they don't last long. VMax2007 has them, and is going back to (I think) BFGs after they go.

 

I have heard very few bad things about the BFGs. Same goes for the Toyos. I was originally planning on getting the Terras after these go, but after reading several things online, I think I'm going to go with Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor. A friend of mine has them and loves them.

 

Out of the list you've posted, I'd probably go with the BFGs.

 

As for the load range, it depends upon what you plan on doing. Are you planning on towing/hauling? If so, you need a tire that can handle the weight of both the truck and the load.

 

And the size, you may want to try this site to see the difference between different size tires, and what the correction would be.

 

All-Terrain T/A KO

Wrangler SilentArmor

Miata.net Tire Size Calculator

 

All this information and more can be available to you with a search.

[roody]

Thanks for the input, BJD. This isn't the first time I've heard about mixed opinions about the Terra Grappler, so it's officially off the list.

 

We are going to be towing often with this truck. Probably ~5000 pounds once every month to two months. Not sure if that's considered "heavy duty," but its enough. Does this mean the tire should have an "E" load rating?

 

Thanks again for the help.

[BigJayDogg3]

Try reading here. It has some good information.

 

http://www.dualport.com/bustech/load_tires.html

[wages999]

My dad got General Grabber AT-2's on his Ram and he really likes them. They look almost exactly like the BFG Allterain T/A K/O's, but are a lot cheaper. He doesn't drive the truck a lot, but in a year, you can't really see much wear on them.

 

I just looked up some prices on TireRack.com for comparison of prices between the General's and the BFG's:

265/75QR16, Load Range E, Gen $125, BFG $172

285/75QR16, Load Range D, Gen $131, BFG $187

 

I like reading the consumer reviews of TireRack. This might help you narrow your choices down.

 

I think the 285's would fit with little or no rubbing and I would either stay with a load range E or D tire.

[ursandal]

Unless you want to disrupt/set off the TPMS you should stick with load rng E tires since you won't be able to get a load range D up to the pressures the TPMS wants. I don't think 285's will fit the NNBS without cranking, I have 265's and get a slight rub at hard lock with some compression on the suspension. On level ground there is no rub.

 

I purchased a set of Mastercraft C/T's (made by Cooper) in 265/75/16 load range E. Moderately aggressive tire, gives a slight hum on the highway but with the windows up you can barely hear them. I've only put about 4k on them but so far I'm pleased with them. The BFG is also a good choice, I've run a number of sets on different vehicles and always had good experience with them.

[ursandal]

My dad got General Grabber AT-2's on his Ram and he really likes them. They look almost exactly like the BFG Allterain T/A K/O's, but are a lot cheaper. He doesn't drive the truck a lot, but in a year, you can't really see much wear on them.

 

I just looked up some prices on TireRack.com for comparison of prices between the General's and the BFG's:

265/75QR16, Load Range E, Gen $125, BFG $172

285/75QR16, Load Range D, Gen $131, BFG $187

 

I like reading the consumer reviews of TireRack. This might help you narrow your choices down.

 

I think the 285's would fit with little or no rubbing and I would either stay with a load range E or D tire.

 

I'd definetly look into the Grabber too. I almost got those instead of the Mastercraft's. Good reviews for that tire. The shop I got my tires also claimed that the Generals came with a 40k or 50k (can't remember) tread warranty for the load range E tires. Finding load range E tires with a warranty is nearly impossible these days.

[BigJayDogg3]

FYI, if he plans on using them in the snow, you want a narrower tire. From what was typed on here narrower tires cut through the snow better.

 

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

[wellinghurst]

BFG's are the best, followed by Mastercrafts IMO. Not sure about the TPMS as my truck thank the lord doesn't have it, but as far as just the weight goes, you can get an 8 ply (D range) tire if you're going bigger. 285 D range actually are rated to handle more weight than a 245 E range. Not sure about fitment on the NNBS trucks either.

[roody]

The General Grabbet AT-2 is DEFINITELY being considered. Why are they so inexpensive compared to the BFGs (is it just the name)? They seem like a good tire at a good price...

 

We're not too concerned about snow performance because any of these tires will be good enough in the snow we drive in. 75% of the time, the roads are plowed before we can even get out to play on them. And when they aren't plowed, there usually isn't more than 6" of it, which is no problem for even stock tires.

 

What about a tire like the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R? They came stock on our previous Z71 Tahoe and were great tires.

[wellinghurst]

Generals are cheaper than BFGs because they are not the same quality-good tires, but it's the same reason Craftsman tools cost more than Stanley tools. I buy tires based on how long I will be keeping the truck. If I know I'll be putting at least another 50-60+k miles on it-then it's BFG. If not, then it's either used BFG or a cheaper alternative.

[Kodiak450]

I've used the 235 85R16's before (the skinny ties) I've found no difference when going through deep snow vs using a 265 75R16 tire. I do alot of snow plowing in the winter and had 2 great Winters back to back plowing more then 23 inches of snow in seperate snow storms using the skinny tire and the regular tire. The skinnier tire is very prone to hydro planning if you hit a puddle going fast, and that skinny tire was a BFG mud terrain. Maybe the skinner tire helps the truck to work less in deep snow, as it is skinny, but as far as noticeable performance I couldn't tell. I personally don't exceed a 265 75 R 16, one being price of tire, two the bigger the tire, the worse the mileage. However beefier tires would look alot better on the new 2500's as the way the body is designed it looks like it needs a beefier tire to begin with.

[2006 K1500 HD CCSB]

My dad is looking into new tires for his truck. The only thing he knows is that he wants bigger tires than the stock 245s. The truck is a 2008 Silverado 2500HD 4WD Crew Cab.

 

He needs a long-lasting All Terrain that does decently off-road and in the snow. He would also like it to be fairly aggressive looking and (relatively) smooth on the road.

 

So what size would you recommend? He doesn't want to have to trim or crank the t-bars. Would 285s fit?

 

Also, which tire do you think is best for him? BF-Goodrich All Terrain? Pro Comp All-Terrain? Nitto Terra Grappler? Toyo Open Country A/T?

 

Finally, what about load ratings? The stock tires have an "E" rating...should he get another tire with the same rating? Does this have any influence on which tires he should buy?

 

Thanks for any help with this! He really appreciates it.

I have a set of Bridgestone dueller revo's LT 265/75 r16 on my 06 1500 HD and love them. I have about 6000 miles on them and I have no complaints at all. They are great in the snow and wet roads. I paid around $170 a tire installed/balanced. I would recomend them highly and nice aggresive look with no road noise.