2011 Tacoma: BFG All Terrains - Wavy driving?

Yep. Any time you go from a P to LT tire you will want to raise PSI.

 

I'm running mine at 36 psi. Had them about 25,000 miles now with no problem. With lift and all I can let the steering wheel go on the highway and it tracks straight.

Edit... Mine are E load 10 ply

 

So raise these closer to 40psi?

 

I boosted these up to around 40 psi this week and it is better.

It appears my real issue is fighting a straight line in wind. Now, I know our Taco's aren't heavy and wind will blow these around a lot, but I don't ever remember it being this bad when I had my other tires on.

Why would a set of BFG AT's make wind travel that much more difficult?

 

would make sense if u went DOWN in load range, or had LESS PSI due to more sidewall flexing and a less stable footprint I guess.

Now ur making me wonder if u have a belt issue.

do u have any blisters on the tires, or any raised areas u can see/feel?

I have seen the BFG AT with belt seperation multiple times.


positive your not MORE AWARE since its a new tire and just super sensitive?

 

maybe I missed it.........

can u give the size, load range, and model again please?

your taking into accnt that u raised the front end almost 2" and that will cause the wind to play a factor too right?
This isnt the first big "wind storm" or anything since u lifted the truck is it?

just checking all avenues

 

Go get the alignment checked and have them give you the print out. If they don't give you the print out of the specs then make them do it again.

 

So here is an update and I would appreciate some input/help. A few days ago, we had a cold front come through with strong winds. Because of my issue, I have to FIGHT to keep my truck straight on the road when the wind is like this (more than normal - but this all began with these new BFG AT's). Because of this, I was pulled over as the office thought I was under the influence. Luckily, I had paperwork with me to show I had this issue and was fighting with the dealership on it. He was very understanding and sent me on my way.

That was my breaking point. I am not quite pissed. However, I have narrowed this down to the truck pulling to the right on none windy days (more than a vehicle should - so no wonder I fight to stay straight).

Yesterday, without appointment, I took my truck to the dealership (Toyota of Grapevine). I explained my issue to another rep (New tires, wavy driving, pulling to the right, alignment done, tire pressure changed, etc). I explained that it is extremely noticeable past 60mph and if needed, I would ride out with the mechanic. I also wanted the alignment checked again because just hours before I had our company mechanic put this on a lift and look - he said a wrench hadn't even made it to adjust anything and that he doesn't believe an alignment was done. I was willing to wait....and wait I did. I was there from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. At around 3:30pm, I was called back and explained that during those 3 hours, all the technician did was drive it around the block at 45mph (something about can't go above this on their own due to company policy) and didn't find any issues. I started to get frustrated and said nothing I had asked had been done and wanted the alignment looked at again. I waited and an hour later I was told "good news - he adjusted the alignment and the truck is better now". I thought odd..how can it be better now if the mechanic said he couldn't find the issue. I said OK, but asked to see the readings of the alignment (print out). Mysteriously no one printed it out....but said it had been done. This is when I explained that I wasn't leaving until I had a reading/print out and if I needed to contact Toyota about the lack of service here, I would. Truck went back on, new alignment readings and I was back on the road.....STILL with a pull to the right.

Below are the readings from the previous alignment and the alignment yesterday. Knowing NOTHING about alignments, I was told on 11/16/2013 that my alignment really needed to be done. Also, could the alignment from yesterday really have different numbers? Also, both times I told them the tires put on were 265/75/16 vs the stock 265/70/16 the "computer" tells them to do the alignment at. Again, does this matter?

Here are the readings. Help me understand.

Alignment 11/16/13


Alignment 01/24/14

 

How much lift do you have? Factory UCAs? You might wanna ask the tech if your caster is maxed out. You might have more adjustment but they're not touching it cuz it's technically within spec. Caster at 3 on both sides might help. You might need aftermarket UCAs for that though. Also, is this your first lifted truck? I ask because it took me awhile to get used to the lifted truck feel. My Taco has always pulled to the right also and I've never been able to fix that. I just got used to it.

 

I have absolutely not lift at all, just the slightly different size tire.

 

Only other idea I have is to try a different set of tires. Maybe you can find another local TW member willing to put his truck on jackstands while you take a test drive on a different set of wheels/tires. I've never heard of this issue with a new set of BFG AT KOs.

Another idea would be to rotate your front tires and see if the issue is the same. Simply move your LF to RF and RF to LF. If the issue is exactly the same I doubt it's your tires.

These ideas could help you narrow down if it's a tire issue or something else.

 

You think its too late to get the dealership to buy these tires back and put something else on?

 

BFGs are made by Michelin and might have the "30 day buy and try" promise plan. If you're outside of 30 days, your only hope would be proving it's a tire related issue. Only way to do that would be only of the ideas in my last post

 

I think the advice already stated is very sound. Try rotating the tires; hopefully that solves it since it is the easiest/cheapest.

Something else is that you could have a suspension component (i.e. ball joint, TRE, etc) that needs replacing and the tech just arbitrarily 'aligned' it even though something is worn out. I have an alignment print out from my local Toyota dealership from three days ago that shows everything within spec even though the truck wanders with a 1/4 wheel of play to drive straight due to a worn out upper ball joint. Anyhow, the alignment specs show perfect even though it is dangerous to drive until the ball joint arrives from SPC.

 

Thanks guys. I have rotated the tires twice since this has began and still resulting in the same issue. I am scheduled to take my truck in to my original dealership on Friday. I want them to tell me what is wrong vs me telling them what I think is wrong.

Toyota of Grapevine has to be the worst dealership for repairs I have ever messed with. They spent $30k on my previous truck trying to fix and issue they never could (I eventually saw all invoices).

I do have a question. On both alignments, they obviously did it to "computer spec", but did it on 265/70/R16. However, the BFG's I had put on were 265/75/R16. Would they need to change their alignment settings with a different size tire?

 

I don't think so. My alignment sheets all say the same thing even though I'm running 315/75r16

 

I have run them in the past, never again.

I have switched to wrangler duratracs and LOVE them.

 

I am running at 40PSI. Up this?

 

yes

 

when i ran them they liked to be at 45 psi

I run 40 on my current wranglers, I have extra weight to compinsate