VanDOOM 285 tire fitament advice needed

[Shocker]

Hey all. I am in need of tires for VanDOOM. The guys at Pep Boys were nice enough to provide me a new Definity MT in 285/75r16 to test seeing as I still need to swap the alternator.

Now the tire fits just fine in the shop. Here are pics of the various close area's. What I need to know is what you guys think of the clearance and whether or not it will be a problem out on the trail.

Overall view of 285 installed in the rear

This is the inside clearance to the inside fender. What I am concerned here is if the tire is stuffed hard, will it destroy the inner fender or get shredded by said fender? There is about an inch of clearance. Prob a bit less.

From the top of the tire. About an inch (prob a bit less) to the spring perch. When aired down, will it get torn up on the heavy steel perch?

From the back. Another pic of how close it is to the perch.

Overall view of 285 installed on front.

Biggest concern here on the front. Maybe a 1/2 of an inch clearance to the fender at it's closest. When stuffed, will this cause a problem?

At full left lock, clearance to the swaybar. Any issues here? Over an inch, but it is not at the center of the tire. I can't compress it enough to see if there will be an issue when cycling.

Ok, that is it! Give me your opinions. Each end has it's own issues. If I go with the 255 then the rear issues are solved, but the front remains. If I go with 265's, then the problem in the front is solved, but the rear could still be an issue, but prob not.

I was leaning towards the 265/75r16, but I sure would like the slightly wider 285 for the stability of the tall rig.

Thanks all!

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I run 235 85 R 16 on my 1 ton van and they are fine - no stability issues at all. E rated of course. Save fuel as well and great in snow and other areas where the narrower tire is better. Hope it helps!

 

[Shocker]

That is what I have now. They seem just too small to me. Is yours 4x4?

 

[86scotty]

I'm assuming you don't have rear spacers?

Thanks for posting this, I'm just about to buy 285s. That rear clearance to the U-bolt perch is pretty close!

 

[java]

the clearance on the spring an u bolts etc should be fine. Aired down the tire bulges at the bottom, not all the way around.

When stuffed, you may get into the inner fender, but how much will it really stuff? I think you will be needing to trim the front fenders.

I run a 215/85-16 just for reference. and it rubs on my front bumper....

 

[cjken]

I had 285's on my last quigley. They looked close in spots but there were no issues other than having to trim a bit of the plastic part of the front bumper.
I think my rims had 4.5 inch back spacing.

 

[Shocker]

Scotty - No spacers. I think the rear is just fine. I didn't think about the bulge being on the bottom. And I think I won't be stuffing the rear tire to the max.

Java - It's that front fender clearance that has me. Frankly, I think it won't be a problem, but I hate to find out the hard way. How much should I trim do ya think? My bumper is a winch bumper so no change of a rub there.

cjken - What year was that Quigley. The 16x7 Alcoa's are 5" bs I think.

 

[86scotty]

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

[cjken]

Oh. Mine was the newer body style. 2000 e250. It looked tight in spots, but the q-vans don't have a ton of suspension travel.. It drove much better with the 285's compared to the stock tires. The extra sidewall dampened the ride and the width was great in sand (at least it felt that way to me).

 

[java]

Stuff it see where it rubs and trim accordingly. If its dirty it should rub the spot needing trimming clean!

 

[Shocker]

Yeah, that would be the ideal plan. I took the tire back so I need to go get something else to test.