Another Tire Question BFG'S?

[DMAXTODD]

Hi everyone,Im back,been so busy havent had any time to check this wonderful site. My Firestones are Dead! at 27,500 miles then I thought they were pretty bald at 18,000 I have a question, I see a lot of you are running the Bf goodrich all terrain t/a k/o.I was considering this tire but had a few concerns.It appears the tire in a 265 75 16 is only available in load range D that im told is only 3,000 pounds per axle? Some how I think my tire place is not so sure,they told methey called a company rep. I tow 10,000 fairly regularly and don,t want to comprimise capability.


:D :D :D :D redface.gif :D

[3TV]

Todd,
I have owned several sets of BFG tires over the years, and BFG makes excellent tires. Your tire store is correct in regards to the load rating of the BFG tire you have in mind though.

My truck is just three days old smile.gif but I have already swapped the original 245/75R-16 tires for a set of 265/75R-16 tires, simply because I wanted better tires for towing an 11000 lb Weekend Warrior toy hauler, and because the stock tires are so pathetic and puny looking. You may wish to at least consider the tires I chose, because they seem to be a very high quality tire. They ride better than stock, and they are quieter than stock as well.

I chose Cooper Discoverer AT tires, in a 265/75R-16 size, with a load range E, 10 ply rating. They are rated to carry 3415 lbs.

Here is a link: http://www.coopertire.com/tire_cooper/ltsuv.asp?id=21

I was able to buy them for $137 a tire, and the tire store gave me a $40 rebate on the tires, and bought back my stock tires for $75 each.

Something to think about anyway.

3TV

[huntindog]

The 3000# is per tire so if your're under 6000# on the axle you'll be fine. As you go up in tire size less pressure is necessary for the load. Air volume is what carrys the load, so it is not necessary to use an "E" rated tire.(If you could even find one)
Cheers!

[JimWilson]

The stock Fartstones are rated at about 3050 per tire, so you're very close at 3000 with the BFG's. My 285's are "only" load range D, but they're good for over 3300 per tire. Load range is somewhat relative, so in this case size matters! :D

[DMAXTODD]

Well everything went alright once I got to the sears auto center.The BFG All terrains 265/75/16 are rated at 3,042lbs. per tire which is exactly what the firestones were rated although at 80psi.The only problem I encountered while there was none of the three idiots walking around,sitting on cars ect... wanted to mount my tires,so I had to wait over two hours for the one capable mechanic to mount them. Atleast they gave me $25 off the bill and the truck does ride noticably better.

[GMC-2002-Dmax]

Anyone having anything weird happening with larger tires. I am on the fence bacause of the lack of speedometer calibration.

Let me Know.

Thanks,

GMC ;)

[ThePend]

So far ..... No problems with 285's.

Yes the speedo is off, but who cares. As long as you know its off and can keep it below the posted limit and can live with it, then there should be no problem. State Troopers, Highway Patrols or local cops usually have a variance on their radar, I believe its 10-12 mph. But even with the factory rims and tires some speedos are off by a few miles per hour. If youre going to take your chances and exceed the posted speed limit and you get caught, then its your bag. YOu just have to live with it.

My $0.02's.

[JimWilson]

GMC-2002-Dmax;

I've only had mine on for about 3-4K miles, but I haven't experienced any difficulties.

[Lawnboy]

Maybe they've changed in the last few years, but all the BFG A/T's I've had were soft, and wore rather quickly. Maybe that had to do with being a teenager with a bunch of horsepower, but they did not give me the tread life for the (premium) money I spent for them.

I've used all kinds of brands, from General, BFG, Centennial, Firestone, Goodyear, and Michelins. By far and away, the Michelins have and continue to give me the most satisfaction. You'll pay a little more, but for the high load rating, carlike ride and sound, good handling, and very nice winter, offroad, and traction, the 265 Michelin LTX M/S's are a very capable tire.

This is the tire that SHOULD come on the pickups from the factory.

[andy911]

I'm confused (not an unusual state for me admittedly! :D ).
The optimum tire size upgrade from stock would appear to be a 265/70/16 which retains the stock rolling diameter (30.4 - 30.7 depending on tire manufacturer) for zero speedo problems, but gives a wider tread (around 8") which is more than either stock or the 265/75/16.

Problem would appear to be finding this size with a Load Range E rating, but on checking the Michelin website for their LTX M/S tires the load rating for a 265/70/16 is given as 111S (whatever that means) and listed at 4370 Lbs @ 35psi. The same tire in a 265/75/16 has an LRE rating and a whopping 6830 lbs @ 80 psi listing.

Am I right in assuming that the 265/70/16 has a higher load capacity than the stock Fartstones (3042 lbs @ ?psi) and due to the lower operating pressure would likely give a much smoother ride?

I realise the higher load capacity of the 265/75/16 tires could be useful but I can't imagine ever needing more than 8740 lbs on the rear axle. Am I missing something? :confused:

Andy.

[Lawnboy]

Andy,
Your really confusing things here! You got me scratching my head, too many numbers!

My Michelin LT 265/75-R16 are load rated at 3415lbs @ 80psi (Load Range "E").

I'm sure some tire manufacturers make a 70 aspect ratio tire, but all the ones I have seen were a Load Range "C", and were more for the "SUV" crowd and a passenger car type tire.

These days for weight ratings, you need to stick to the following 3 sizes:

235/85
245/75
265/75

I'd rather have More than enough tire for those times when I'm haulin 2 ton of salt with a V-Plow hanging on the front!

[JimWilson]

andy911;

Those ratings are grossly exaggerated -- you've somehow confused the numbers, for there's probably no tire made that has a 6830 lb capacity. I'd be surprised if you found many that had that rating even for a dual setup. For the most part D and E rated 245's, 265's and 285's will have capacities from about 2700 to 3400 for single-wheel installations.

[andy911]

Sorry for the delay in replying, I was taking some R&R with the RV.

Jim:
I agree the numbers look way high, but this is right off the Michelin data tables. Go to:

http://www.michelin.ca/ca/eng/local/catalog/docs/doc_ltxms.pdf

The load rating column is headed "Single Max. Load (LBS) per axle @ PSI"

The last listing shows the 265/75/16 at 6830 lbs.
Maybe they fill them with cement not air :D :D

Andy.

[bmoeller]

Per axel = 6830/2 = 3415 per tire ?

[JimWilson]

Correct; per axle means for 2 tires, not 1. That's where the discrepancy is.

[ 08-28-2002: Message edited by: JimWilson ]</p>

[andy911]

DUH!!!!!
Maybe I'll start reading what I write instead of writing what I read redface.gif redface.gif
Thanks for setting me straight.
Andy. :D