285's or 265's?

I have a 2008 TRD Sport DC 4x4 with the Toytec OME 886 coils and Alcan AAL in the rear. I have been running Goliath wheels with 295/70-17 Toyo Open Country M/T's. I have done some trimming and occasionally get rubbing when in reverse at full lock and get very light rubbing on the upper control arms at full lock but I've learned not to turn to full lock. Anyway, it's getting time for new tires and I've made a couple of decisions. First, I don't really need mud tire, although, they are nice for the minor amount of playing in the mud and snow I do and I have 70,000 miles on these tires right now and could probably meke them last for another 10-15K. Second, I absolutely do not want to pay $350 or so per tire for the same thing I have on there now. The prices have gone up hugely on these things in the last 5 years so that means I will need to go with a 285 or 265 tire.

I also pull a travel trailer that is about 5000-5400 pounds loaded. Not only do the tires need a decent load rating, my hitch is set up to tow my trailer level with the tires that are on there now. A 285 is only .55" shorter than the 295 so that means hitch height will only be .275" lower. A 265 is 1.65" shorter than the 295 so that means hitch height will be .82" lower than the 295. I don't think that's enough to have to re-set my hitch so that should be a non issue.

I really like the thought of going to a 265 to get back some of the power and fuel mileage I lost when going to the 295. My biggest concern is that it will look stupid (just to me maybe) to have such a smaller tire on my truck than is already on it. I absolutely love the look of the 295's. I'm at a loss here.

So that brings me to my dilemma. I need at A/T or hybrid tire that does pretty good in the snow and mud (for when I go hunting and fishing and go out playing), gets good mileage, has a D or E load rating, and is in the $200-$275 per tire range. Anybody have any insight?

 

LT275/70/17 Hankook ATm

 

View your choices and see what everyone's input is. Me personally would run BFG ATs. Got 67k miles on mine but gonna try out some duratracs here shortly. Bfgs have been great for me in snow, ice and light mud. But I'm gonna try them duratracs out cause I've heard good things about them up here in the Alaskan Terrian.

 

I've got 265 Duratracs and love them. Plan on keeping them when I put the OME 885 lift on soon

 

X1000. Seems like there is always a tire question, OZ is always saying Hankook atms, and Im agreeing....

 

X1001

 

Nitto Terra Grapplers.....mine have 30k on them and still look brand new

 

x 2...

 

285/70/17
duratracs

 

That's exactly what's going on it right now. I bit the bullet and decided to spend the money since guys are getting good wear and performance and it's a winter rated tire. The 285 is also 20 pounds per tire lighter than the Toyos that are on there now. It would have been nice to go back to a 265 but I had them mount up one of each and the 265 didn't look right to me after looking at my truck with the Toyos on it for five years. I'm looking forward to testing these out.

 

Did Hankook stop making that size. I can't seem to be able to find it anywhere, even their site.

TeaMan

 

No , it's actually a new size as of 2011 , for some reason it doesn't show up in the sizes on their site but I have them on my truck

 

I'll throw a stick into the spokes and say 305/70/16s

 

Where did you get the tires? I can't seem to be able to find them anywhere. My best source so far has been Walmart, and they don't show that size either.

Second, what mods are running with those tires? I'm wondering if I would even need the spacers. They may be what is causing most of the problems. Not sure why I didn't think of the mechanics of it, but they definitely change the arc of the tire, and thus will create a rubbing problem.

TeaMan..

 

Puts me exactly where I was except I'd have to buy new rims to get there. Thanks for the suggestion though...

 

I bought them through a local garage that carries Hankook

I've seen them advertised online , however , be aware that many online vendors label this tire as a 6 ply " C " rated tire when in fact the only way this size comes is 10 ply " E " rated , I confirmed this through email with Hankook .

I run the OME lift kit with 885's and Dakars plus LR UCA's , but I have the tires mounted on stock Sport Alloys with no wheel spacers .

 

Im going with 285/70/17 BF rugged terrains next. Loved the BFgoodrich TKOs at 265 but the 285s only come in D and I dont want the extrac 10lbs a tire for the amount of offroading I will need them for