285/75R18 Tires

[Redline]

I'm a big fan of taller, narrower tires. 255/85R16 has been my favorite size for over a decade. I have owned a couple sets of 285/75R16s only because the tire I wanted was not available in a 255/85. I don't hate a 285-mm tire on my old ‘96 F350, but I have never become 'converted'. I prefer the 255/85R16 over all others and recently thought that if I was going to run something other than a 255/85 in the future, maybe I would sacrifice some height and go back to the stock size of 235/85R16! Thirty-fives never really interested me because it has always required a wide tire, like a 35x12.50R16. Since 285s were already 'wide', going wider yet for more height was never considered and I just always ran 33s.

Related to this is the new tall wheel craze. Very tall wheels with low-profile tires on a 4x4, even on a 2WD pickup that is to be (should be?) used as a truck is simply idiotic. Stiff ride, tire/wheel damage, etc.………………..

However, I was talking with Spressomon a couple days ago and he mentioned an interesting size: 285/75R18. While I would prefer a 16-inch size, the fact that a 35-inch tall tire is available that is ‘only’ 285-mm wide is impressive in this age of super wide tires and tall wheels. I’m thinking that the actual sidewall height on a 285/75R18 has got to be almost the same as a 285/75R16? Probably enough to work well off-highway.

I’m not about to run out and buy a new set of 18-inch wheels and tires, the approx. $2,500.00 price tag isn’t appealing, particularly when I have plenty of very good 16-inch tires in my shop, and an old F350 that is driven sparingly. But this size has made The Imelda Marcos Of Tires actually consider a wheel other than a 16 for the first time, EVER.

 

[Redline]

Yep, that is exactly the tire I was considering. I have owned two sets of Toyos MTs, one in 285/75R16 and another in 265/75R16. Though the Toyo MTs are big, heavy and pretty stiff (sidewalls/tread) they are a very high quality tire with beefy sidewall lugs and often take little weight to balance.

IF (a big IF) I was to dump a bunch of money on tires in this size these would probably be the treads I would go with. I say this without even knowing what else is available in this size.

A better move would be to just buy another set of 16-inch wheels for my old, pre-Super Duty truck and continue playing with my sweet sixteens.

Redline

Have you seen this, new Toyo size 285/75R18 MT

http://marktg.toyotires.com/file/18136.pdf

This is what I'm thinking of trying on a new Superduty using stock 18x8 wheels (if I ever buy one!)

Was told recently they are coming out soon and quoted $345 CDN ea. Though might be cheaper now (promo)

 

[boblynch]

If I'm reading the chart right it's 4080 max. load for the 285/75R18. I agree this may be a good fit for the F350. Question, how do you find out the rated load for the various OEM wheels (16, 17, 18, 20 etc.)?

 

[Redline]

Yes you're reading the specifications correctly, that is how much they are rated to carry!

OEM wheels are usually 'rated' to carry whatever the maximum load the stock tires was up to at maximum PSI at the time of manufacture. For example, my '96 F350 tire/wheels were rated for 3,042-lbs as that is what the stock 235/85R16E tires were rated for at 80-psi. A look at the label on the door frame usually tells the story and often lumps the capacities of the tires/wheels together. To learn if the wheels can actually carry more you might be able to find a similar truck with the same wheels but a different GAWR (gross axle weight rating). Or maybe a fleet salesman's 'Source Book' that might have more detailed specs on the wheels.

For the aftermarket your wheel salesman should have the specs for the wheels they want to sell you. If not it is possible the wheels are not rated for weight and I would look elsewhere if you need them for a truck. I was recently casually shopping for another set of 16-in wheels for the Ford. Some wheels I looked at were rated for only 3,000-lbs each while others were good for 3,400-lbs.

At some point regardless of the tire & wheel capacity you need to be concerned about the axle housings, bearings etc.

If I'm reading the chart right it's 4080 max. load for the 285/75R18. I agree this may be a good fit for the F350. Question, how do you find out the rated load for the various OEM wheels (16, 17, 18, 20 etc.)?