Latest on 17” tires

JTD · 05-24-2005, 08:47 AM

Tried purchasing Nitto 295-70-17 1 year back order.
Tried Purchasing the Goodyear 305-70-17 MTR which are on back order.
Discount Tire tried to locate the Tires since I got the run around with the Nitto’s called Goodyear and was told that there was a tire problem and the molds where pulled with no ETA.

Now the question I have is if the 305-55-20 Nitto ran on a 20-8.5 wheel.
Would the side wall be too small/low for mild to medium 4 wheeling?

I would like to stay with the stock wheels and move to a little larger tire, but the 17" is wheel is killing me either the same size or to big.

Thanks for the assist,
JTD

KTMNealio · 05-24-2005, 08:57 AM

The issues you run into with a 20" wheel and a 33" tire:

You don't have a lot of flex in the tire going over big rocks and you could damage your tire, wheel or both. Also hitting a sharp edged rock at speed could also damage your tire or wheel because a small sidewall tire has less room to "give" before it will be damaged.

When going through soft terrain (mud, sand, gravel) you do not have much tire height. The lack of tire height won't keep your rim above what you are driving through which will allow your rim to be scratched/dinged it up.

If you plan on putting around on gravel roads or doing some real slow dirt off-roading, then I think you would be fine with 20's.
- Nealio

ptgarcia · 05-24-2005, 09:07 AM

Now, in MY opinion, I think the 20" rim is too large until you get into a 37" tire. Anything smaller than that and I would stick to a 17" rim.

I have been going through the same exact thing you have. I wanted the 295/70-17 also due to its slighly larger size (even though I don't care to much for the Nitto Terra Grapplers). I ended up going with the BFG 285/70-17 Mud Terrains. It is a great tire, although a little weak in the mud (in this case Mud Terrain is a total misnomer). And it has still taken a week to get these. Also, Pro Comp is due to release a 305/65-17 X-Terrain in mid-June.

bestatchess · 05-24-2005, 09:10 AM

I called Discount Tire last Wednesday and drove out with a new set of BFG AT KO 285-70-17 on Saturday. It fills up the wheel well pretty well. I think you would want flares with anything wider.

K-MU · 05-24-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

I called Discount Tire last Wednesday and drove out with a new set of BFG AT KO 285-70-17 on Saturday. It fills up the wheel well pretty well. I think you would want flares with anything wider.

Did you have the oem BFG rugged trails in 285x70? are the new AT you have larger than the stock even in the same size? did you notice any improvement?

THX in advance

QWIKWHIP · 05-24-2005, 01:06 PM

Don't forget about the 325/60/18 Nitto's if your looking for other options than 17". They will give you plenty of beef on the tire.

However, my 20's have been fine for me, but I'm not into hard core offroading, just the ocasional romp in the muddy trails and they have always done great.

JTD · 05-24-2005, 01:37 PM

I defiantly don’t hit the trail hard and have been known to walk a hole and turn around if it looks to bad.
I do EASE though mud holes during that hide lime rocks.

Discount Tire tried to make me a good deal on 325/60/20 but 35.5X12.5 are just little to big for my leveled truck, not to mention the gas mileage.

Do like the fact that purchasing 20” wheels now would mean I could pretty much add any lift and not care about wheel size again.

Thanks again,
JTD

bestatchess · 05-24-2005, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-MU

Did you have the oem BFG rugged trails in 285x70? are the new AT you have larger than the stock even in the same size? did you notice any improvement?

THX in advance

Yes, I had the oem Ragged Trails. The AT KOs seem a bit larger, but I'm not sure. I went from Cooper Discoverer studded M & S to the BFG AT KOs so it was a few months since I took the oem tires off. I can take a couple of pictures if you want. They seem like good tires so far. I have about 500 miles on them and maybe 25 miles off-road.

bestatchess · 05-24-2005, 04:00 PM

One thing I would like to add is that all of the techs at the Discount Tire I went to were using torque wrenches to install lug nuts, rather than air tools. I was watching them like a hawk due to my prior mishap at a different tire shop.

HavockWK · 05-24-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

One thing I would like to add is that all of the techs at the Discount Tire I went to were using torque wrenches to install lug nuts, rather than air tools. I was watching them like a hawk due to my prior mishap at a different tire shop.

All the Discount Tire shops I have been to always spin the lugs down with the impact driver, then snug them up with a torque wrench. I've never had a problem with Discount Tire in the 15 years that I have used them almost exclusively.

ptgarcia · 05-24-2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HavockWK

All the Discount Tire shops I have been to always spin the lugs down with the impact driver, then snug them up with a torque wrench. I've never had a problem with Discount Tire in the 15 years that I have used them almost exclusively.

Yup, they're my favorite tire shop. That's one reason, the other is they do free tire repair and free rotations, whether you bought your tires there or not.

avroflyer · 05-24-2005, 06:26 PM

Give the Mickey Thompson MTXs a shot. I was holding out for the Nittos myself but once I heard about that year backorder...sheesh! They ride great, handle great and aren't loud (granted I've only had a week experience with them, but so far impressed!), plus they were only $160 apiece.

TYTAIN · 05-24-2005, 07:16 PM

BFG KO specs
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/asse...rrain_ta_kd.pdf

JTD · 05-25-2005, 08:43 AM

Any hydroplaning issues with BFG AT-KOs?

bestatchess · 05-25-2005, 08:51 AM

It was raining on the way to work today and there were a few puddles on the hgwy. I didn't have any problems. Haven't been through any real down pours yet.