C Rated 285's?

Currently have Duratracs in a 265/70.17. Great tire but I have it in a E load. Rides like a dump truck. I'm looking to soften up the ride by purchasing a C load. I know I can get that size in a C but I figured if I'm getting new tires might as well go bigger. I've searched every tire manufacturer site I can think of. Does anyone know of a 285/70/17 tire in a C load? I found the STT Max's in a C load in a 255/80/17 BUT I have a 9" wheel it calls for a max width of 8.5". Nitto has a 285 in a P as well but that maybe too light?

 

Lots of options in D range

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?filtering=true&width=285/&ratio=70&diameter=17

 

I havent seen any 285 in a C.. the D rated ones are just as heavy as E rated in most cases.

 

I noticed that. Manager at my tire shop said I would notice very little difference in ride from E to D. If I'm going to spend 1200-1400 I'd like to notice a difference in the ride. Not sure if he's correct or not?

 

I went from E to C.. they ride was immediately better and has been the entire time.. they air down better and ride smoother on the roads.

I will never run an E rated tire again... ever..

 

I think I might be stuck on a 265/70/17 again if I want a C load. Kinna sucks getting the exact same tire just to get a better ride.

 

E is so stiff. I tried the chalk test. I got to like 20 psi and it was still wearing evenly. I'm 28psi in front now and 24 in rear but still rough as hell.

 

I am going from a 265/75/16 C rated Duratrac to 265/70/17 C rated BFG AT KO2 tomorrow.

I have a lift and they seem to be a great size for all the conditions I drive, I dont have to worry about my speedometer being too off, my MPG are great and they have never been too small for off roading.

 

I run 33 psi front and back and its perfect.

 

Note this is city driving. Our Edmonton streets are like rabbit trails with construction everywhere. Truck rattles like its going to fall apart it's such a harsh ride. I dropped my coilovers down to a 2" lift and it helped a little.

 

Nice. Any reason on going from Duratrac to the KO? I''ve had both. I guess I learn towards the Duratrac here due to all the snow.

 

I'm surprised you find them too stiff. My in laws run 10 ply duratracs on their FJ and like them. Those tires have pretty soft sidewalls. I think they ride pretty smooth but I'm used to my 10 ply Michelins at 45 psi.

You could run the Cooper ST Maxx in 255/75-17 in a 6 ply.

 

I had an FJ too and it was fine. It's due to the Tacoma's light weight that they ride like hell. I never haul or tow. I would be interested in the 255/75/17 but I have a 9" wide wheel. 8.5" max for 255 tires.

 

The new KO2 is very similar to the Duratrac now.. the old KO were absolute shit..

I have loved my Duratracs since I got them 2 years ago but I like to try different tires each time, when I bought my truck in 2009 I started in this order:
BFG AT KO 265/75/16 E rated, 16 mpg Average 115k - 140k ......were near unsafe levels of tread 7/32
BFG Mud Terrain 265/75/16 E rated, 15 mpg average 140k - 183k .... still had 9/32
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 265/75/16 C rated, 17-18mpg average 183k - 205k still have 12/32

 

Or you can run the Cooper A/T3 in a 275/70-17 in a 6 ply. Ah. disregard. 8.5 max for these as well.

 

I've had P (aka C rated) 285's from Toyo and Nitto. Both were the AT's. Similar design and both wore very well. Now I have Nitto G2 (P285/70R17) and they are a little louder than the original design but great wet / snow traction. Probably not like the duratracs but I've never wanted to go to E rated so no experience there. I also know from my searched that Bridgestone Revo II comes in P285/70R17. No experience with them but I've heard awesome wet traction, never hydroplane, but wear quickly. Good for maybe 40k miles. I got 60k out of my last set of Nittos and the new G2's have a 65k mile tread wear warranty for the P tires. So far I'm happy with Nitto and would buy again and again.

 

If I dont like the new KO2's I can always swap them for a Duratrac in that size no problem

 

I'm considering the G2's but I'm worried they might be too soft being a P and having no swaybar and a plate bumper up front. I read and read threads and obviously everyone has a different opinion so it's tough.

 

Ya I had the original KO's. Just awful here in the winter. Like driving frozen hockey pucks on ice. The KO2 do look much better.

 

Picked up some 1.25" wheel spacers at lunch. Getting Duratracs P255/75/17 installed in 2 hrs. Recommended 8.5" max but I'm putting them on a 9". I've done this before. Just can't air down to like 10psi or it may come off the bead put for a dd I'll be fine.