Tire Help

SWDoodle · December 15, 2008

Anyone have experience with either both or one of the mentioned tires? I have a 2500HD with the 6.0/4.10. I need to replace the stock 245's with something a little more aggresive. I don't really want to go to a 265 as I feel it will zap some power and mileage away, but I also hate the looks of the stock tires. There too small looking. I thought the MT/R's in a 245 would look better, but I've seen some Silent Armor Pro-Grades in a 265 and they looked good. However, they were on a D-Max. My past experience going with a larger than stock size tire hasn't been the best. On my old 1/2 ton I put 285's on it and I wouldn't ever do that again. I run mainly on road, but at our farm it's very sandy and I thought the MT/R may be pretty good for that. Just want some thoughts I guess before I plunk down $800 on a new set. And no I'm going to stick with Goodyears even though I know there are many good tires out there. The only other tire I was considering was a Nexen Roadian AT II. The reason is that I can get a set for $525 out the door. But you usually get what you pay for.

2000DV4.8 · December 16, 2008

If you are going to be spending a majority of your time on road, I'd stay away from the MTRs. They have very little (if any) siping in the tread, so they don't do well on wet roads, or in snow, and I've heard they wear pretty quickly. Mud tires also aren't great in sand, they tend to dig down as opposed to floating on top.

davzog · December 16, 2008

You might want to look at the TOYO Open Country A/T tires....I have the 265s on mine, and they look much bigger with very aggressive tread....I am sure the 245 would also loook bigger than it is....

SWDoodle · December 16, 2008

If you are going to be spending a majority of your time on road, I'd stay away from the MTRs. They have very little (if any) siping in the tread, so they don't do well on wet roads, or in snow, and I've heard they wear pretty quickly. Mud tires also aren't great in sand, they tend to dig down as opposed to floating on top.

I don't know what to think. Some tell me they are good in sand (MT/R's) and some don't. Some say they wear very good some say they wear out quick. I'm sure it all has to do with how and where you drive. I am a little concerned about the wet traction. That's probably the most common negative thing I run across as I research on the web. I really like the looks of the MT/R. I think it's one of the best looking tires out there. But the Silent Armor would probably be the best choice. If I put a new set of tires on our ranch pickup I'd for sure put the MT/R's on. Thanks for the replies.

SWDoodle · December 17, 2008

I forgot to mention, does anyone have any pictures of a 2500HD with 245 Pro-Grades or MT/R's. I still can't decide if I want to go to a 265 or not.

geektoad · December 17, 2008

I forgot to mention, does anyone have any pictures of a 2500HD with 245 Pro-Grades or MT/R's. I still can't decide if I want to go to a 265 or not.

If you like the look of the M/TR, but want better wet traction, checkout Mickey Thompson MTZs. They have the same style mud terrain lugs, but they're well siped, so they do very well in rain and snow. And they're cheaper too. That was Dan has on the pickle, er...his truck.

2000DV4.8 · December 17, 2008

I forgot to mention, does anyone have any pictures of a 2500HD with 245 Pro-Grades or MT/R's. I still can't decide if I want to go to a 265 or not.

If you like the look of the M/TR, but want better wet traction, checkout Mickey Thompson MTZs. They have the same style mud terrain lugs, but they're well siped, so they do very well in rain and snow. And they're cheaper too. That was Dan has on the pickle, er...his truck.

Yep. I love 'em after over 12k, and have heard nothing but good things about them from others.

SWDoodle · December 17, 2008

As I continue to look for a tire I was looking at the detailed tire specs of the Pro-Grades at tire rack. I'm still not sure I want to go with a 265 because of the power loss concerns, but I ran across something that intrigued me. A 265 E range Pro-grade weighs 52#'s. My stock Duravis weigh 41#'s in a 245 with a diameter of 30.5 compared to the GY's at 31.7. That's an 20% increase it weight! Surely that would have some effect on mileage and power wouldn't it? What's really interesting to me is that I looked at the Firestone Transforce AT in a 265 and it had a diameter of 31.9 but a weight of 44#'s in a E range. My question is, do you think any possible power loss would be more influenced by tire height or weight? Just curious. I couldn't believe there was that much difference between brands.

Sierra250004 · December 17, 2008

As I continue to look for a tire I was looking at the detailed tire specs of the Pro-Grades at tire rack. I'm still not sure I want to go with a 265 because of the power loss concerns, but I ran across something that intrigued me. A 265 E range Pro-grade weighs 52#'s. My stock Duravis weigh 41#'s in a 245 with a diameter of 30.5 compared to the GY's at 31.7. That's an 20% increase it weight! Surely that would have some effect on mileage and power wouldn't it? What's really interesting to me is that I looked at the Firestone Transforce AT in a 265 and it had a diameter of 31.9 but a weight of 44#'s in a E range. My question is, do you think any possible power loss would be more influenced by tire height or weight? Just curious. I couldn't believe there was that much difference between brands.

Sounds like the Silent armor are going to be youre best choice between the 2 tires youre talking about. Personally i would go with a 245 or 265 Bfg A/t, yes there going to cost more but there going to be worth it.. In my opinion..

ursandal · December 17, 2008

I went from the stock 245' to a 265 and honestly I didn't feel any loss of power or mpg. I don't really worry too much about mpg, our trucks love gas, no way around it. I have a set of Mastercraft C/T's. So far i have about 10k on them and am very happy with their performance in all conditions.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

BuckFeverZ · December 18, 2008

I know a few guys who run Transforce A/T's on their truck and they love them. The Transforce is a remake of the Steeltex and those tires wore like steel so I would imagine the Transforce's would wear great too.

SWDoodle · December 18, 2008

Thanks for all the replies. In the end as stated before a gasser in a 3/4 frame is going to suck fuel no matter what. I'm going to order some GY Pro-Grades in a 265. I'd get the Transforces, but I can get the Pro-Grades almost as cheap (dad works for Goodyear) and I just like the looks of them better. But you're right the old Steeltex literally wore like steel. Those were some great tires.

Paulie G · December 18, 2008

You could look for a tire in a 265/70/R16. This would make it a little wider for looks but keep the same height.

SWDoodle · December 19, 2008

Went with the LT265/75/16's in the E load. I'm probably getting a tune at some point so I don't think the tire size will end up hurting me. Thanks for all the replies! I'll give an update on the performance when they come in and I put some miles on them.

landryd · December 23, 2008

I just put on a set of GoodYear Silent Armour E load range 245's for the winter. They looked more aggresive than the stock Bridgestones I will run during the other fair weather months. I don't have any experience with sandy conditions, but I have to say I am very impressed with the traction in the snow. Also, their claim of the tires being "silent" so far are true. These tires are much quieter than the ones I just pulled off.