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To 285/75? Or Not To 285/75?

Back40

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Back40 Enthusiast

Back40

Posted
Posted

Hey guys,

 

So I've got a 2000 GMC Sierra. Great truck, running strong. Leveling kit in the front and 2.5" blocks in the back (looks like a stock 2500 in terms of lift). I have a worn out pair of 265/75 r16 tires on the stock aluminum rims now. Running the 3.73 gears.

 

I've decided to upgrade to the new Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac's soon. I have read around a lot on this forum and see that running 285/75 r16 WILL decrease my fuel economy and make towing worse. But they will fit (may have to trim fender).

 

I have heard that going to 285's is like making my gearing go down to 3.43 gears or so, which would suck for towing. I'd say I am towing 10% of the time (2 place snowmobile trailer and a 3,000 lb Ski Nautique), a lot of which is interstate.

 

My question,

 

Will the upgrade to 285's make the fuel economy and towing that much worse than it is now? What do you guys get for gas milage while not towing or when towing with these tires?

 

Or rephrased, is it worth it for my application? Cuz they do look awesome!

 

Thanks!

 

Tyler

kntharty Enthusiast

kntharty

Posted
Posted

I have 285/75 on my 2000 GMC Z71, I haven't tried it with other tires to know the difference but I haven't had any problem pulling a car on a trailer. I get around 14 mpg in the summer with a slightly heavy foot, I have a programmer hooked up so that the speedo reads correctly aswell as the trip/odo. I have the torsion leveling kit and the 1.5 block kit in the rear. I have some more pictures at the bottom of my sig if you wanna see what they look like

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
Posted

I have 295s on mine with just a bit of a torsion crank and Ive only heard them rub once. As far as fuel economy and power, yeah they suffer a bit but its worth the price when it comes to the looks. I had to put my 265s on for the whole winter and I hated it. With the larger tires i have to downshift every once and a while going up hills on the highway but again, worth it. Makes the truck look completely different.

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
Posted

I dont tow, but with my 265s I got about 16-18mpg and with my 295s its not to much lower, I average 15-16mpg, depends how I drive that week, ha, but I got a tune that helps with that a bit.

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

Posted
Posted

I towed with 295's and 4.10's which I think would be close, and it towed fine. Mileage was 15-16city and 18-19highway. On my last truck... I used Royal Purple Max ATF in the transmission and saw a solid 1-2 mpg better both intown and highway. Also kept the temps down while towing. I also ran 4.10s and 315's without issue... I towed about 6500 lbs (camping trailer/loaded). With the 315's it left me wanting more gear from time to time, but overall I was pleased.

 

I'd do it again, but the new truck has Dexon VI and RP doesn't have an equal.

Steven

01truck Enthusiast

01truck

Posted
Posted

Any of you guys running 285s have any trouble with the tires rubbing? My truck is stock height, getting ready to put some 265 MT MTZ's on the stock wheels, but the 285s look good too.

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
Posted
Any of you guys running 285s have any trouble with the tires rubbing? My truck is stock height, getting ready to put some 265 MT MTZ's on the stock wheels, but the 285s look good too.

If you look back a few posts you'll see I posted that I have 295s (slighty larger than 285s) and dont have any issues. Stock height though you may even have issues with the 285s.

01truck Enthusiast

01truck

Posted
Posted
Any of you guys running 285s have any trouble with the tires rubbing? My truck is stock height, getting ready to put some 265 MT MTZ's on the stock wheels, but the 285s look good too.

If you look back a few posts you'll see I posted that I have 295s (slighty larger than 285s) and dont have any issues. Stock height though you may even have issues with the 285s.

 

 

Thanks for the reply but that dont really answer my question. Is your truck height been modified any? Looks low in your sig pic.

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
Posted
Any of you guys running 285s have any trouble with the tires rubbing? My truck is stock height, getting ready to put some 265 MT MTZ's on the stock wheels, but the 285s look good too.

If you look back a few posts you'll see I posted that I have 295s (slighty larger than 285s) and dont have any issues. Stock height though you may even have issues with the 285s.

 

 

Thanks for the reply but that dont really answer my question. Is your truck height been modified any? Looks low in your sig pic.

 

I have the ford keys in my truck so my front end is about 1.5" higher than stock. Thats just enough to clear the 295s. If you are putting 285s on yours while maintaining stock height you might have a little rubbing on the bumper valence.

JoshRDavis.84 Senior Enthusiast

JoshRDavis.84

Posted
Posted
I have 295s on mine with just a bit of a torsion crank and Ive only heard them rub once. As far as fuel economy and power, yeah they suffer a bit but its worth the price when it comes to the looks. I had to put my 265s on for the whole winter and I hated it. With the larger tires i have to downshift every once and a while going up hills on the highway but again, worth it. Makes the truck look completely different.

 

What size and offset are your wheels?

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
Posted
What size and offset are your wheels?

They are 17x9. Since I bought them used Im not sure of the offset. Im looking on the 4wheelparts.com website and there are the options of -12mm, 15mm, or 18mm. Not sure really which one they are. For some reason I want to say they are -12.

BretD04GMC Enthusiast

BretD04GMC

Posted
Posted
Any of you guys running 285s have any trouble with the tires rubbing? My truck is stock height, getting ready to put some 265 MT MTZ's on the stock wheels, but the 285s look good too.

 

At stock stance, 285's will rub while turning. I have my torsions bars cranked to give about 1.5" of front end lift to clear my 285's. I also nipped the corners off the front valance and trimmed the plastic piece that covers the window washer bottle on the driver's side.

 

With a new set of tires on, I am getting slight rubbing on the driver's side while turning (full lock) and minor body roll.

 

I should note that I am running 16x8 wheels with -6mm of offset.

 

 

I'm thinking about cranking the t-bars a couple more turns to give a full 2" of lift.

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