[dustinm]

Truck needs new tires. Factory Goodyears are done (thankfully).
Love the look and performance of BFG AT (had them before on a Ranger), but am wondering what they'll be like towing a 7000+lb TT around all summer.
Will be going up from stock 265/70/18 to 285/65/18.

Anyone have any experience or suggestions. Here's the criteria:
-tow well
-good in snow
-quiet ride
-good tread life
-decent mileage
-not crazy expensive

Thoughts?

 

[dustinm]

I had great experiences with the BFG A/T, but never towed anything with them. How do they handle towing heavy loads?
I don't want to do ANY mods to make them fit either. I like my truck stock. I've heard conflicting reports about whether a 285/65/18 will fit under a truck that has NO suspension mods. The sidewall is exactly the same as stock rubber, but they're 20mm wider. I don't want anything to rub.

 

[dustinm]

Thanks for the tips guys. Sounds like the BFG's are the way to go.
Still looking for a straight answer on the size issue though. Anyone actually run 285/65/18 BFG's on a stock suspended truck? There seems to be an abundance of guys with lifts or levelling kits willing to let us know how big their tires are and that they 'fit just fine', but I am about to drop a wad of cash on shoes, and would like to know if they're going to rub before I wrap them around the rims.
Sorry to be abrupt, but I've searched a TON of posts and can't find any that state what will/won't fit under a stock truck, other than stock tires.
If you know, drop a line for me.

 

[dustinm]

Thanks. Will definitely check on the price difference. That's significant.
Again, same concern - will they fit without rubbing? The 275/70/18 will have a taller sidewall than the stock tire or the 285/65/18. I have heard that the stock suspension setup doesn't allow for much size increase. The 275/70/18 is more than a half inch taller than the stock.

 

[dustinm]

Stock 18' 5-spoke.

 

[dustinm]

I've got a set of these being installed Friday!
Tire Details - Discount Tire

I had the Michelins on my last "truck" ('04 GMC Canyon), and liked them. Michelin has a great reputation. I want something with a little more aggressive look this time.

 

[dustinm]

I've had both the BFG A/T and the Michelin AT2 and they are both about the same for road noise in my experience. I didn't notice them to be any different than any other tire I've run. Was sure to rotate them regularly. The BFG is remarkably quiet for such an aggressive looking tread.
Still hoping to get some clarity on the fitment of the 285/65/18. Can't seem to get anyone to commit either way. I might just order the things and if they rub, return them for ones that don't. Ha ha!

 

[dustinm]

I have and am very happy with the BFG All Terrain KOs. I have the PRO-4X with the 275/70/18 so a 285 would do just fine.

Does the Pro-4X suspension differ in clearance from the standard BT Titan? I checked prices on the 285/65/18 vs. the 275/70/18, and the 275's are significantly cheaper.
I want to pull the trigger on this deal today, so I am trying to make sure they'll go on without rubbing. You mentioned you have the 275/70/18's, and they don't rub, but I don't have a Pro-4X. Issue?

 

[dustinm]

Well, the 285/65/R18 BFG's are on and look great. No rubs, and they look taller too despite being the same as stock. Optical illusion created by the more aggressive side tread I think. No pics yet. They do have a tiny bit of road hum compared to the stock Goodyears, and its only there at city street speeds. Goes away above 40 mph. Have to check pressures, because they seem to be running a bit 'hard' over pavement seams.

The frustrating thing is that the grease monkeys at the tire shop scraped all 4 of my rims! They apologized and offered to fix the mistake, but now I have to be without my truck for 3 days while the rims are refinished. I even mentioned it to the desk girl before it went in because last summer I had a flat fixed at a different shop, and the same thing happened. Bad luck and bad techs! So chapped!