Need new tires - what size?

Need new tires - what size?

05-08-2003, 12:17 AM

#1 (permalink)

navyjoe

Offline
Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Chuckey Tennessee Posts: 61

Need new tires - what size?

I'm looking to purachase a new set of tires for my 98 (12V, quad cab, 8 foot bed, 410 rear end, with air-lift air bags) . I have both a truck camper and a 10,000 lb 5th wheel so I would like to get something biger than the 245ers.

I hear a lot of guys really like the "all steel" type claiming greater stability (like the michalen RIB). I have been looking at the 285/75/R16 load range D tire offered buy several vendors. Its a much larger diameter (33 inches vs 30.7 for the 245). It will really mess up my speedometer but will improve my fuel milage some (maybe, since they do add have more friction than a smaller tire).

I also like the idea of the extra 4 inches of rubber on the road and the 2 extra inches of added width, but I would have to buy new rims since the factory units are only 6.5 inches and you need an 8 inch rim for the 285s.

I'm pretty sure I can go with 265s load range E on my factory rims, but I wonder if I would be better of with the bigger 285 tire, or all steel or what ever.

I'm open for input. What has been your experience?

Non members can only view the initial post on threads more than 7 days old. There are 7 additional replies on this thread that you could view if you were a member.

TDR Membership offers many benefits including:

4 issues of the TDR magazine per year including these columns:
- Tailgating - A Letter From The Editor
- Letter Exchange - Responses From The Readers
- Member2Member - Members' Solutions To Members' Questions
- Technical Topics - Service/Parts Update
- First Generation - Owner-Specific Articles On The '89 - '93 Dodge Diesel Trucks
- 12-Valve Engines - Owner-Specific Articles On The '94 - '98.5 12-Valve Dodge Diesel Trucks
- 24-Valve Engines - Owner-Specific Articles On The '98.5 - '02 24-Valve Dodge Diesel Trucks
- Third Generation - Owner-Specific Articles On The '03 And Newer Dodge Diesel Trucks
- Blowin' In The Wind - Industry News
- Shadetree - Back To The Basics
- Celebrity Corner - The Shadetree Mechanic - Sam Memmolo
- From The Shop Floor - Tips From Turbo Diesel Repair Shops
- Products Showcase - Featured Products
- TDRelease - Vendor Press Releases
In many areas of the country a local chapter with events
A yearly printed copy of the TDR Travel companion listing approximately 700 TDR members across the country willing to help you if you have trouble on the road
Complete access to the TDR website including:
- Ability to do advanced searches over 1.1 million posts
- Access to members only forums (Truck 911, FAQ Forums, Discontinued parts support, Rigs spotted, Pay it forward, Other, and Political)
- Posting ability to the forums
- Ability to read an unlimited number of posts from the forums
- Can customize your forum list to your interests
- Can choose 1st, 2nd, 3rd gen, or rotating header graphics
- Limit searches to forums your interested in
- View posts since you last logged on
- Private message ability to other members
- Chat room access
- Diesel truck specific TSB listing by model year
- Online access to the Travel Companion database (with most current information)