[d-rap]

It's been a while since I've posted, but you'll be hearing more from me. My truck is at SLR getting Kings, Deaver Springs, a version of the Titan arm long travel thing and more. I'll start a thread soon.

But my immediate question. I'm about to buy Toyo M/Ts 285 75 16s, and mount them on the 16x8 Pro Comp forged wheels you can see at AC. The Toyos are super strong, and I run a very heavy X when I go camping, probably pushing 6000 lbs. at times, since I'm Shrocked all around, have a winch, tons of recovery and camping gear, buddies, loaded roofrack, etc. The problem is that the 285s weigh 68 lbs, are load range E, and have a max. load of 3700 lbs., way more than I need even when I'm heavily loading one tire or another. They can of course be inflated to 80 psi., since they're Es.

It's overkill, I know, but how much would anyone discourage me from getting this tire? I take long very remote trips fully loaded on very rugged trails, but I also use my truck as a daily driver, as most of us do. I'm concerned about the extra weight (a comparable Pro Comp tire weighs more like 55lbs.) and the ride of an E tire on the X. But I like the tire a lot, and it seems like it would be super strong and dependable. I have no experience with a 10 ply tire like this, and it's clearly designed for pick-ups that carry very heavy loads.

What do y'all think?

 

[PacoPico]

I have them, and have had them for 28,000 miles. I have a few of the tread blocks that have chunked out from running on rocks, but the sidewalls are unscathed (better than my previous BFG's could boast under similar situations).

As far as "overkill" they do need to be aired down rather low to get some good sidewall flex (12-15psi), and if you try to ride the trails at street pressure (35psi in my case) they are rough, and get crappy traction.

As far as good things, I tow my near 5Klbs boat, and they handle that very well.

Not that they are bad, but they are wearing a little fast for my tastes, and their traction on rocks is poorer than BFG M/T's...especially when wet. I am going back to BFG's next time, but I wouldn't say to pass the Toyo's up particularly...especially if you spend the majority of your time on-road and light trail riding...they are quiet!

 

[d-rap]

Do you have the 285s on your X? How do they handle on the road? Sand? Rain? Snow? Mud? I have heard that they wear fairly quickly.

I'd hoped that traction on rocks would be better than the BFGs. The BFGs are classics, but I don't like the fact that they aren't siped and they're kinda loud. But I run rocks often--Utah, Baja, the Mojave--so traction there is a big deal.

Dependability, long life, quiet, good traction all around, strong sidewalls: too bad tires can't be all in one!

 

[PacoPico]

Yep, I have 285/75R16.

I had them Siped FWIW:

Rain - Excellent (though they are siped which helps)
Road - Excellent and quiet, though shorter tread life. (though a bit heavy as you know - they make the truck shudder more on big hard pot-holes, etc.)
Snow - Good
Sand - Fair/Good
Mud - Good
Rocks - Fair

My rating scale is poor-fair-good-excellent.

As well, I chunked the tread in Calico - so that is some real experience on "california rocks".

I think you would be OK in Moab, on the not so "slickrock", and mostly the desert is dry so they may be good enough for what you use them for. Remember I am in the northwest US, so wet traction here is more of an issue!

 

[usmc xterra]

I have the 285 75 16 BFG AT KO's LR D for like 23K miles and they look like new. I am sure they can handle your load and seems like I won't be able to wear them out, I want to, because I will go a smaller tire. On the factory rm they weigh about 82 LBS. Thats an 05 S alloy rim. MC

 

[d-rap]

Thanks. I've been running the BFG ATs--265 75 16s--for 35K miles on my X. Lots of wheeling, sharp rocks, sand, you name it. I often air down to 12 psi. or so. Never a flat, no problems. And while they don't look new, they're insane for a wheeled tire with 35K on them. They really only suck in mud and deep fluffy snow, obviously.

USMC, I've seen your many posts arguing against upsizing tires, and I hear you, but the lure of just one little bump up is too great. Spencer at SLR wants to send out my newly minted ride with the wheel wells filled, too. I decided to go with the BFG MTs this time, 285 75s, mounted on the Pro Comp, series 107s (the ones AC swears will clear the calipers). PacoPico's post helped me decide to steer away from the Toyos, plus the extra 13-14 lbs. per tire seemed excessive. Not to mention the lost flex, harder ride, etc.

One dissenting opinion came from John at Expedition Exchange, who wrote a feature article about wheeling in this month's 4WD and Sport Utility (the issue with Jim's sliders). He's in Torrance, CA, right near me in So. Cal. John's philosophy is: go with the strongest available tire, preferably Load Range E. Dependability in the field is his watchword.

But I think the BFGs will do me nicely. Every other driver on every trail can't be all wrong. I like the LT metrics, D range, for dependability. And I do think the 305s, or the 12.5s are more than I (or my spindles and drivetrain) need. The high flotation C rated tires many guys run make nervous since I do a lot of expedition-type camping and remote wheeling, sometimes solo, despite the warnings. I'll give up some flex and conformation on rocks for strength.