Help Me with a tire choice-285, 295, or 305....

[issanni]

I'm planning to do a lift in the future but it's a ways off. I need a new set of tires now and am contemplating tire size. Do I go with a 285-75-16, 295-75-16, or 305-70-16. The delimma is I'll be using the stock wheels and no lift.

I don't want to have a problem with rubbing or extreme uneven wear due to stock wheels.

Can somebody please send me pictures of an Excursion running stock suspension and wheels with any of these tire sizes to help me make a choice. Also let me know if you've got any of these installed and if you have any problems. And finally what's available in a Load Range E or equivalent to Load Range E weight carrying from the 265's.

[JDooms]

issanni,

I too will be lifting and putting on larger tires on my Excursion. I haven't had the time to get what I want done to date. I have done many different things with different vehicles. I have never owned a set of 295's, but have had all of the other sizes you mention.

Currently I have 315/75/16's on my 2003 DMAX with stock wheels. I have no "major" problems. They do wear a little uneven, but I make sure that I rotate them reguraly, like every 4,000 miles or so. A pain in the ass yes, but not that bad when you go to Discount Tire company and get the life time balance and rotation for $40 or $50.

The 285's are going to be no problem what so ever. The 305's won't be either, if you don't mind the tire bulge. I think you will find this same thing with the 295's as the tire width is about the same as the 305's.

I'd do it again and again. I've never had a blow out or had tires wearing out in 15,000 or 20,000 miles. My 315's usually get a life of about 30,000 to 35,000 miles. So, going smaller than that you should see even better life.

If you go to the web site of the tire manufacturer you are considering and find the tire you want or are considering, you'll find the tire specs there as well. Load range or weight capacity will be listed as well. What I've always looked at is the tire weight capacity and not so much as to what load range the tire is. My 315's have a heavier tire weight capacity than the stock 265 load range E's that come standard. So, I see there to be no problems there.

Hope this helps! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Jeff27]

I have been doing tire research myself! I have had my X for about 6,000 miles now (I bought it pre-owned). It came with 305/70/16 tires which are just about at the end of their road. I do notice that they droop and the side walls are very worn probably partially due to this and hauling trailers/boats. I actually think the sidewalls are going to be thoroughly worn out before the tread. You can find many load E rated tires in the 265/75/16 size; when you jump above that your choices drop significantly. I have narrowed my choice down to Cooper Discoverer S/T's or A/T's and Bridgestone Dueller A/T's Revos. I found out that the Cooper 285/75/16 is less than an inch less wide than the 305's I currently have...the height will be the same. Also, they are load D but rated at 3,000 lbs. a tire. The load E 265 has a rating of 3,085 lbs. Thus, 85 lbs. a tire less than E will be suffice for me. I think the 285/75/16 size will be the best fit for me...it will look good and should hold up well for towing which I do a lot of! When I first started reading tire threads on this forum I was thinking 305/70/16's again but I have changed my mind. I am leaning towards the Cooper's right now... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] we put some Coopers on my wife's Maxima and they are great tires. Plus, the Duellers are around $800 installed for everything whereas I can get the Coopers for $700. Hope this helps [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[issanni]

Jeff

I have Cooper Discoverer LT on my Excursion right now in the 265 size and they have about 30k +/- miles on them and are close to needing replacement. I've not been all that impressed by them lately, when I first got them they were great. 30-35k miles on a set doesn't seem like very much to me but I guess I didn't rotate them as often as I should have....next set will be rotated every 5k miles or so.

[TXANGLER]

285 on stock rims 295's on 16X8's

[CHPMustang]

We've got 285's on stock rims with no clearance or body contact probs.
I upgraded the front steering stabilizer to handle the upgraded tire size which was worth the $30 spent.

Here's a few PHOTOS of our Excursion with the 285's installed [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

-BILL

[FamilyRide]

285 Revo's. Nothing else for me to say! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[ExcursionPSD]

Below is some tire size /load range/ max. load @PSI / approved rim width info
LT 265/75R16D 3000 @65 7.0-8
LT 265/75R16E 3415 @80 7.0-8
LT 285/75R16D 3305 @65 7.5-9
LT 295/75R16D 3415 @65 7.5-9.5
LT 305/70R16? 2910 @50 8-9.5 don't know load range, may be a mistake?
LT 305/70R16D 3525 @65 8-9.5
LT 315/75R16D 3195 @50 8.5-10

I have accumulated this info over the years, some tire manufacturers do not make it easy to get load range or max. load information from their web sites, and the info from the big tire retailers may not be reliable.

Note that none of the tires bigger than LT285/75R16D are approved for rim widths as narrow as our stock 16 x 7 wheels.

Also, remember early Excursions came with the LT265/75R16D rated 3000 pound max. load tires, later ones have come with the LT265/75R16E rated 3415 pound max. load tires.

I would be very interested in good links to tire inflation/ max. load capacity charts on any of these tires.

[mesu]

Hi,

My 2004 is running "limited" 16" wheels ( no width shown.

Tires are BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A 265/75 R16 LR= E 3415 lbs @ 80 psi.

15,000 miles still look like new, even on the front. Mostly open road and interstate miles with average of 6 adult riders. Smooth ride, and handles great. (STOCK)

GOOD URL for table of load ranges, sizes and the like is:

http://www.goodyear.com/truck/pdf/ra...read_S14_V.pdf

Over 170 entries on their pdf table.

Thought you might add it to your list.

Thanks,

mesu

[gtodriverblake]

Were's what we did.....although I like the look and added ground clearance over ther stock 265's I wouldn't recommend getting the Nitto Terra Grapplers if you want serious off road performance.

We did a 3.5" lift through our local spring shop, and added new Monroe shocks and 295 Terra Grapplers on the stock wheels. During off roading I get a bit of a "rub" on tight right turns but nothing too bad.. This is our family and huntin car so we weren't looking for real serious off road performance.

The look is great and our ride hasn't changed and it still fits in the garage with an inch to spare!

For serious off roading we use the Wrangler and Polaris quad.....

[tlphlps]

I have 285 Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo's. I emailed you a picture (large file). Hope this helps.

Terry

[IMartin]

285 Bridgestone Revo's. Best tires I've owned.

[issanni]

Anyone have 305-70-16 installed on stock wheels on a stock suspension Excursion? Any rubbing? I friend has them on his stock suspension F250 on stock wheels and gets a little rubbing when the steering is cranked all the way to the right, just wondered if I'd have the same or WORSE? (I might can deal with it if it's not bad or the same as his but if it's worse no way) [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

[86GLHS]

You will rub with 305's. The Excursion has BFG ATKOS in 295 75 16 with AR Atlas 16x8 and there's no rubbing but it's close. The last set of the same size tires lasted for 83K miles on the F250.

[Jeff27]

My 2000 X currently has GY ATS 305/70/16 on stock rims with stock suspension and i have not noticed any rubbing? It might be because they are pretty worn I guess [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] I am getting ready to replace them with 285/75/16's! I'm on the fence as to what kind...I'm getting swayed to the Bridgestone Dueller AT Revos. Still looking at the Coopers & BF Goodrich...I'll decide soon [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]!