Tons of research - now I need advice...(tires)

[ExplorerDMB]

Well - here is the problem: right now I have the Super Swamper Radials (SSRs) and i know for sure Super Swampers aren't good for excess of 65 mph continiously, so I need to get some highway/traveling tires. I plan on traveling about 50 miles at about 70mph for about 30 mins for school. I have the 4.56 gears, so I don't believe I will have any trouble with excessive RPM levels.

Here is what I've been considering:

BFGoodrich All-Terrain (33x9.50xR15, 33X10.50xR15, 33x12.50xR15)
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain (33x12.50xR15)


Now, I'm thinking gas milage already - I was wondering if a skinner tire will get better milage. That's why I put the 33x9.50 on the All-Terrain. If it really doesn't make a difference, then I will just go with the 12.50s and possibly the mud-terrains. But I am looking for a tire that will look decent on a lifted ride (so no, I don't want to put my stock tires on there ha), good gas mileage, and is good for the highway/traveling.

I am guessing my best bet is the All-Terrains. The other reason I don't want to stick with the SSRs is because I've gone up to 70mph before and it shakes a good amount that makes me nervous. Also - I plan on gettin new wheels, possibly Black Rock Cralwers (cheap - remember this is a traveling vehicle now ha) or some type of steel deal. So should I stick with 15x8s or 15x10s. I currently have 15x8s cause of rubbing issues, but I think I might stick with the 8's because I might want to put the black rock cralwers on my SSRs instead of the all-terrains.

Enough rambling - Any advice, expierences (with the A/T tire at highway speeds), problems that might happen, etc - please tell me. Thank you!

-Drew

 

[410Fortune]

Get some All Terrains, I personally like the new Dick Cepeks because they are far cheaper then the BFG KO and they are a better tire IMO.

Stick with 10.50 wide, 9.50's look funny. If you are concerned with gas mileage keep the air pressure up.

If you run off road tires on the highway you should not only have them static balanced (weights) but you might also consider running a continual powder style balancer in the tires, such as Equal. That stuff works AWESOME if you ask me.....

 

[burgo]

I have never had a great interest in any BF tires, just because they are so soft, and friends of mine that have gotten them have not been impressed with their life span. I went and got a set of 32"X11.50 Wrangler MT/R's last summer for a few reasons. First, they look awesome and perform just the same. Second, two of my summer time coworkers run these tires, and they have gotten alot of life out of them so far, (75,000kms and still lots of tread left!!!) THis is mud terrain yet is still going to last neary 100,000kms IF you keep care of them. Myself, like my buddies that run them, rotate them every 5,000kms, and all that other good dtuff that needs to be done. Get MT/R's is my vote, they will/can last a long time.

 

[swak6287]

i agree that BFG tires are soft. we wheel at Gilmer in tx and the lugs get abused so easily. Now, the Dick Cepek tire, i cannot find any for the 15 inch rims for 35 inch tires. where do u guys find yours?

 

[swak6287]

or.. how about procomp AT. they are pretty good and inexpensive

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Get some All Terrains, I personally like the new Dick Cepeks because they are far cheaper then the BFG KO and they are a better tire IMO.

Stick with 10.50 wide, 9.50's look funny. If you are concerned with gas mileage keep the air pressure up.

If you run off road tires on the highway you should not only have them static balanced (weights) but you might also consider running a continual powder style balancer in the tires, such as Equal. That stuff works AWESOME if you ask me.....

I believe the All-Terrains are what I'm going for. Yeah, the tires call for 50 psi, so I guess I would put about 45 in them! I run about 32 in my SSRs. The SSRs are static balanced, but yeah I heard about that Equal stuff. I don't believe its the balancing that shakes the truck, I believe it's just the knobs on the side of the tires. They don't spin that bad on the balancer, but I'm not exactly impressed by them. Maybe i'll just stay on the median! haha Thanks for the $.02!

-Drew

 

[ExplorerDMB]

i agree that BFG tires are soft. we wheel at Gilmer in tx and the lugs get abused so easily.

I am not using these for wheeling - thats why I have the SSRs. That is also why I am gettin a whole new tire/wheel package, so it'll be an easier swap!

-Drew

 

[swak6287]

i keep talking and talking anf forgot.... i have 33/10.5/15 on 15x7 factory tear drop wheels. it is 1 1/2 year old.. never seen offroad... still blue writihng on the BFG. u interested? i look at it the other day and it looks like at least 50%, if not more, left on the tire. i am in dallas, tx. just a thpought. i am gonna upgrade to 35 soon, maybe sooner if u take this off my hand.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto what 410 said. For a second set of "road" tires, for MPG, maximize the pressure, minimize the width, choose a road type of tread pattern, have as low of an airdam as possible.
Over 29" tires do hurt MPG, mostly from weight, so try to find actual tire weights before you decide. Good luck,
DonW

 

[410Fortune]

I have 33.x12.50x 15 Dick Cepeks for daily driving.
My wheelers are 35x12.50x15 MTR's on black mods 15x8
4.10 gears

the tire pressure listed on your truck is based on stock size tires on stock wheels, you can determine correct tire pressure by using the chalk line test to make sure the entire footprint and side lugs of the tire are making contact.

The DC II's have excellet tread wear and on road performance, while still being an aggressive AT in the dirt.

The BFG KO's hydroplane like crazy in water and slush = no thanks. But thats the same reason they work so well in sand and on soft snow, lots of floatation. I have not been happy with BFG AT KO's tread wear, not even close tot he old BFG AT's that would last forever....they went to a softer compound....

 

[ExplorerDMB]

The BFG KO's hydroplane like crazy in water and slush = no thanks. But thats the same reason they work so well in sand and on soft snow, lots of floatation. I have not been happy with BFG AT KO's tread wear, not even close tot he old BFG AT's that would last forever....they went to a softer compound....

So now you're saying the A/Ts are bad? I know that BFGs are pretty light, but what about the Mud Terrains? Maybe I should go with those? Let me know what you think

-Drew

 

[410Fortune]

I never said I liked the BFG AT KO's, in fact I hated them, I ran a set of 31's when they first came out because the old BFG AT (non KO) would last forever.

The Dick Cepec DC-II's are also a A/T, A/T jsut means All Terrain.

 

[JDraper]

I'm surprised your ko's didn't last very long. I replaced mine at 50k miles and they still had some tread left on them. I was very happy with 'em except that they began to get squirrely on wet pavement at about 45k miles. I replaced 'em with a set of REVO's, and I have been happy with them so far.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I never said I liked the BFG AT KO's, in fact I hated them, I ran a set of 31's when they first came out because the old BFG AT (non KO) would last forever.

The Dick Cepec DC-II's are also a A/T, A/T jsut means All Terrain.

Is there a site for these Dick Cepec tires? I would like to see them. I don't plan on driving a whole lot on these tires - right now on my odometer is a little over 70grand and I plan on selling the truck before or after 100grand. But, yeah I want something safe. Nothing that will hydroplain me into the guard rail! My brother runs BFG A/Ts and he's been happy with them, but he's only had them for about 3,000 miles!

-Drew

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Ok - I've seen these tires before. For right now, those are too expensive for my taste for a highway tire. I paid almost 200 a pop for these SSRs! I have seen these on 4wheelparts website. I didn't know mickey thompsons are the manufacturer of those tires - thats why they are so expensive. Also, I won't be driving on the A/Ts all the time either - I will switch the SSRs and A/Ts pretty often I'm sure. Oh well, I believe the BFGoodies are gonna be what I get. But I want to get the black wheels! I think it'd look kind of cool on my white rig. Thanks for all of your help, guys!

-Drew

 

[CDW6212R]

Do check the TireRack.com, they have the largest selection, and just about the lowest prices. Most wise tire shoppers start there to check sizes, and see reviews.
Good luck,
Don