Tire Size

MustangMatt96GT · Aug 4, 2012

I have a F350 that needs some tires... Eventually(within the next year - year and half) I want to do a 2.5 RSK and SD springs just for the ride improvement. But right now it has 235/85/16s on it.

I know what type of tire I am gonna go with, its a Goodyear Duratrac, I love these tires. But I was wondering how much taller you guys would go. a 265/75/16 is actually the same height as a 235 basically. And If I am not gaining any height, im not putting a taller tire on the thing. Wider tires are more friction, and cost more.

a 285/75/16 is the only tire I know that would be bigger in height but would be stretched pretty well on a stock Alcoa's. Should I stick with a 235/85/16 on the truck and save a little bit on tires, or should I just jump up to the 285/75/16? I am not opposed to jump to the 315/75/16s but I want a truck that doesnt have rubbing issues at all, and a 315 on a 8 inch stock alcoa is even more stretched than a 285. I do like the look of a bigger tire, but I want it to last and be safe while towing and driving across the country.

The truck is my daily driver and tows a trailer 2-3 times a month. I can sacrifice the stock size tire if stretching a tire on the stock wheel is gonna wear the tire out faster.

Thanks guys!

97powerstroke · Aug 4, 2012

A 285/75r16 is as big as I would go on a stock rim. Nobody around here will even mount a 315/75r16 on a stock rim for liability reasons. My truck had 315's on stock rims when I bought it and it drove like **** on the way home. The next day I mounted the tires on 10 inch wheels and what a huge improvement in the way it drives.

MustangMatt96GT · Aug 5, 2012

That is what I figured.

Here is a 285 on stock rims on a truck that looks similar....

Here is my truck, I might end up going with the 285s.

old man dave · Aug 5, 2012

In Bridgestones the Dueler A/T Revo 265 and 285 are within 0.5" diameter of the stock 235s. I'm on my third set of 285s without any funny tire wear using the stock Alcoas and about 40psi empty.

By the way, thanks for your help.
dave

Nodge · Aug 5, 2012

255/85r16 is taller than a 285 by a little.
They are also only 2 cm wider than a 235.
Perfect fit for stock Alcoa wheels.

MustangMatt96GT · Aug 5, 2012

Nodge said:
255/85r16 is taller than a 285 by a little.
They are also only 2 cm wider than a 235.
Perfect fit for stock Alcoa wheels.

I wish a Duratrac was in this size. I had the 235 dura tracs on my dually, and for being 2wd it did better than my regular cab ever did that was 4x4. I am a big fan of the wear and the noise of a duratrac too.

Ill probably end up seeing the price difference in a 265, 285, and a 235 and making a decision from that.

another thing is, I do not want a D rated tire, I want an e rated tire.

Thanks guys.

BTW dave, No problem, happy to help.

jstann · Aug 5, 2012

i had 315s on my stock rims looked great never had a prblm

PSDEng · Aug 5, 2012

Here's my puller with 305/70/16s....they're actually a nice fit and look good.

Here's my daily truck with 285/75/16s, personally I think they're a bit small and would prefer the 305/70/16s

Tom S · Aug 5, 2012

Do the tires on either truck stick out enough to throw crap up on the sides of the truck?

MustangMatt96GT · Aug 5, 2012

The 305/70 is the same hieght as a 285/75. With that said, I would go with the skinnier tire just because of less friction, they don't cost as much, and a skinnier tire is slightly better in snow and mud.

I think I want to go to a 285/75/16 and now just need to get my ducks in a row for funds!

MustangMatt96GT · Aug 5, 2012

Tom S said:
Do the tires on either truck stick out enough to throw crap up on the sides of the truck?

That is a good point too, another reason to go to a skinnier tire.

old man dave · Aug 5, 2012

Tom S said:
Do the tires on either truck stick out enough to throw crap up on the sides of the truck?

On my truck the fronts stick out less than 1-3/4" beyond the bottom edge of the body, the rears about 1-1/4" beyond the bottom edge of the body with the stock Alcoas and Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 285s. Thread width is just about 9". There is no noticable rock/sand pits on the body with over 100k miles with the 285s with both offroad/snow driving at times. They use a lot of sand in the Sierras in the winter in California, there's a lot of flatland loonies out here.

PSDEng · Aug 5, 2012

Tom S said:
Do the tires on either truck stick out enough to throw crap up on the sides of the truck?

The 305/70/16s stick out a bit in the front and I occasionally get some stone chips from them. The tires on the green truck don't however.

Tom were you at the ATS diesel event yesterday?