Upsizing tires on OEM Wheels

[WrenchMonkey]

I run 285s on stock 2500 wheels without issue. But I tow rather than haul, so it sees relatively light loads.

Why don't you just drop a couple hundred bucks on some 16x8s?

Robert

 

[BillTex]

I run 285s on stock 2500 wheels without issue. But I tow rather than haul, so it sees relatively light loads.

Why don't you just drop a couple hundred bucks on some 16x8s?

Robert

Can't find hub centric 16 x 8...
I do have feelers out for SRW 3500 wheels.

Tx, b

 

[txnight]

Yeah...but the 255/85/16 is taller than the 265/75/16...the 255 is made for my 6.5"wd wheels though...
So on the farm trucks; you replace OEM 245/75/16 with 255/85/16?

Bill

No, the old ford 4x4's had 235/85/16 when new. The 235 is big enough for us but we have put 255's on during duck season

 

[BillTex]

Well, I called Cooper today and asked their suggestion...and it made sense to me. They explained with a slide in camper (high COG) a tire with a wider footprint would be better than a narrow foot print for the same load index.
The ST MAXX is a commerical traction MS tire (which is what I like to run here in New England) they suggested the 265/75R/16 over the 255/85R/16 because of the wider footprint.
So while either of these will fit my wheels, and the 255 was tempting, I think I will stick with the 265.
One other interesting note; the ST MAXX has a 3 ply sidewall. To my knowledge, this is the only E rated tire with 3 plys. Every E other rated tire I have seen was 2 ply.The stiff sidewall should be just the ticket for carrying a TC.
Is anyone running the ST MAXX with heavy loads/TC yet?
Would love some feedback.

Tx, Bill

 

[redthies]

If your camper is that heavy (mine is), you could just go the whole hog and run 255s on a dually! These are now mounted on OEM 6.5" wheels (Alcoas in the pic). No "squish" at all. The Toyo M55 is what I run, and is a similar type of tire to the BFG Commercial TA. How are you doing as far as GVW goes?

 

[BillTex]

GVW....what's that...

 

[gsanders]

I feel like the 255s track better than the 285s personally, but I do think the sidewalls are soft. I think the next tires I will buy will be the ST MAXXs in the same size or possibly the 265 75 and that is because of the 3 ply stiffer sidewall that you mentioned.

Yeah...the Cooper ST MAXX are E rated at 123 load index (3415#)....I would not run a D tire with my load...

How would you compare the handling with camper of the 285 vs the 255 tires?

Thanx.

 

[BillTex]

I feel like the 255s track better than the 285s personally, but I do think the sidewalls are soft. I think the next tires I will buy will be the ST MAXXs in the same size or possibly the 265 75 and that is because of the 3 ply stiffer sidewall that you mentioned.

Yeah...I think the taller profile might make for more flex in the sidewall...not good for heavy loads.
What other 3 ply E rated tires are there?
Who has the stiffest sidewalls?

Tx, Bill

 

[Shocker]

Hey Bill, there are many other load range E tires with 3 ply sidewalls. I have researched this to death for VanDOOM. I ended up with the Cooper ST Maxx due to it's excellent reviews, tough carcass and proper load range for a heavy rig like mine.

Don't install the 285 on a 6.5 rim. I spent about an hour with the engineers that designed the ST Maxx and AT3 and they were adamant on proper wheel width. My Alcoa's are 16x7 and they told me that testing the 285 on a 7" rim caused all sorts of issues with the bead and other area's. So just get that out of your head.

I ended up with the 265's. They are not installed yet so I can't show you, but I went with the wider width due to the size of my wheel wells and the height of VanDOOM. My opinion would be to go with the ST Maxx in a 265. Best choice for a 3 ply sidewall aggressive AT tire.

Other 3 ply E range are Toyo M55, Toyo Mud Country, Hercules Terra Trac RS in 265, ******** Cepek Fun Country and Mud Country, Procomps (not sure the models), Mickey Thompson MTX, and others. Lot's of choices, but I think the ST Maxx is about the best for the money.

 

[BillTex]

Hey Bill, there are many other load range E tires with 3 ply sidewalls. I have researched this to death for VanDOOM. I ended up with the Cooper ST Maxx due to it's excellent reviews, tough carcass and proper load range for a heavy rig like mine.

Don't install the 285 on a 6.5 rim. I spent about an hour with the engineers that designed the ST Maxx and AT3 and they were adamant on proper wheel width. My Alcoa's are 16x7 and they told me that testing the 285 on a 7" rim caused all sorts of issues with the bead and other area's. So just get that out of your head.

I ended up with the 265's. They are not installed yet so I can't show you, but I went with the wider width due to the size of my wheel wells and the height of VanDOOM. My opinion would be to go with the ST Maxx in a 265. Best choice for a 3 ply sidewall aggressive AT tire.

Other 3 ply E range are Toyo M55, Toyo Mud Country, Hercules Terra Trac RS in 265, ******** Cepek Fun Country and Mud Country, Procomps (not sure the models), Mickey Thompson MTX, and others. Lot's of choices, but I think the ST Maxx is about the best for the money.

Thanx shocker (I have been following you thread...) I scored a set of 16 x 7 OEM steel wheels yesterday and will swap the 265 to these right away. Would love to put 285 on them before next winter...but as noted the 285 specify a 7.5" min wheel width...but there is no such creature in a GM OEM wheel...or any other hub centric wheel that I can find.
So what the heck are you supposed to run a 285 tire on?!

I am leaning toward the ST MAXX or possibly NITTO next...

Bill

Edit; 16 x 7 wheels on the way...should be here Monday.