18" Tires

[flstf-2000]

After purchasing the finest example of truckdom I have ever come across, I find I should have done some research first. I didn't buy the "off road" option so my truck has 18" wheels. The problem? I live on two miles of gravel road.
I have under 5k miles on the truck (and 3k of that was a trip out west) and already have had one flat tire from the rocks on my road. I look CLOSELY at my tires and lo and behold, they are 4 ply tires! A 5k lbs truck with a 9k plus lbs of towing capacity and they put 4 ply tires on it instead of a LT 6 ply tire.

My question is, who makes a direct replacement tire for these wheels? I've already discovered there are no 265 70 R18 6 ply LT tires out there (at least I haven't been able to find one yet).

And the problem isn't limited to just Nissan either. My 2002 Mountaineer came with 4 ply tires also and I had three flats in the first three months with it, changed to Michelin LT tires and never had another flat in the next 80k miles.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

A Brand New Titan (almost happy) Owner

Harry

[HavockWK]

Welcome to TitanTalk! I'm sorry to hear about your problems with the stock 18" tires, but the stock Offroad tires aren't any better. I know someone here will be able to help you with the 18"ers since I have the 17's and don't know what is available in 18" sizes other than the Nitto Terra Grappler 325/60-18.

[antwon412]

bf goodrich is coming out with their all terrians in 285/65/18 this month. thats the exact same size as the stockers. im getting some as soon as i have the moneyh. good tire with a nice look to em

[tortuga]

yeah, those bfg's are definitely going to be your best choice!!!

[Voodoo]

285/65/18

is not the stock size

Original Equipment 265/70-18

good luck finding a replacement tire

let us know what you end up with

[jlarzz]

Originally Posted by tortuga

yeah, those bfg's are definitely going to be your best choice!!!

Were running the 285/65x18 BFG TA's. The ride is suprisingly good, nice and quiet, and a nice look. I think they ran about $1000 total. Americas tire Co. matched Costco's price.

[HavockWK]

Originally Posted by Voodoo

is not the stock size

Original Equipment 265/70-18

good luck finding a replacement tire

let us know what you end up with

Depends on your point of view. The actual tread with of the goodyear 265 is the same as the BFG 285 (stuid BFG!). The diameter is also the same.

Stock BFG OR (285/70-17) Tires:
--Treadwidth 8 11/16" (not section width)
--Diameter 32.7"

Stock Goodyear (265/70-18) Tires:
--Treadwidth 8 5/8" (not section width)
--Diameter 32.6"

When going up from a 17" wheel on the 285 section width, you drop the aspect ratio from 70 to 65 to keep the the same diameter.

[TYTAIN]

member ttammunek04 has had some of the same problems he even bought a differnt set of tires but that didn't help him any, he's still cutting tires?

[flstf-2000]

Originally Posted by HavockWK

Depends on your point of view. The actual tread with of the goodyear 265 is the same as the BFG 285 (stuid BFG!). The diameter is also the same.

One tire web page I visited said the 275 65 R18 was the same diameter as the original 265 70 R18. Is this true or should a person actually measure the diameter of the tire before purchase??

thanks,

Harry

[HavockWK]

Originally Posted by flstf-2000

One tire web page I visited said the 275 65 R18 was the same diameter as the original 265 70 R18. Is this true or should a person actually measure the diameter of the tire before purchase??

thanks,

Harry

The difference between those two sizes is negligable. It might be the exact same, but I think the 285/65-18 is actually like 0.1" smaller in diameter than the 265/70-18. That difference is not enough to worry about for fitment or speedo. It has been a while since I ran the #'s. Here is a tire size calculator: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[KTMNealio]

Originally Posted by HavockWK

The difference between those two sizes is negligable. It might be the exact same, but I think the 285/65-18 is actually like 0.1" smaller in diameter than the 265/70-18. That difference is not enough to worry about for fitment or speedo. It has been a while since I ran the #'s. Here is a tire size calculator: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Just use the specs of the manufacturer's site for the diameter since the tread depth, casing thickness, number of ply's, etc can all vary. Therefore using the cross sectional height to calculate the tire's diameter may not be accurate.
- Nealio

[flstf-2000]

Just an update for this thread. I've now had my second flat on the original 265/70-18 tires. I am AGGRESSIVELY seeking new tires. I think I'm going with the BFG 286/65-18 tires. I'm still pissed but what the heck can a person do about it?

Harry

[Vegas04]

you should be very happy with those BFGs. They are the tire of choice for 4x4 police vehicles, BLM Rangers, and Park Rangers around here and they seem to be invincible. Good luck, I know how frustrating bad tires can be, my 2003 Chevrolet Silverado came with 235-75-16 Goodyear Wrangler ST tires. I lost two in one 60 mile roundtrip through the Arizona strip to the Grand Canyon. $280.00 to replace those crappy pizza cutters.

[92TripleBlack]

Don't forget about he Michelins.
http://www.michelinman.com/assets/pd...terrainsuv.pdf

[flstf-2000]

[quote=92TripleBlack]Don't forget about he Michelins.QUOTE]

I looked at the Michelins but my number one criteria for replacement tires is they MUST be load range C or higher. I don't want a 4ply "passenger car" tire. They just don't hold up on the gravel roads around here. Michelin will probably make a "light truck" tire for the Titan some day but right now all I see from them are "P" tires and I'm assuming those are 4 ply.
Harry