Best A/T tire and size for TC?

Hey there,

I'm using 19.5's with approx 4500 # per tire rating. My camper has an unladen weight of 3250#, loaded-optioned at 4000#.

Those 19.5's, Rancho 9000's and air bags combine to create a sway free, stable platform for everything we do.

The "major" drawback is in the unloaded ride. Those 19.5s have serious sidewall stiffness(which is what I want when carrying my camper). That stiffness creates a rougher ride than stock. Using my truck throughout the year as a daily driver, I mount my old stock tires/ wheels to achieve a more "stock" ride.

See you out there,

I had Dura Grapplers and really liked them. The continuous ribs of rubber REALLY helped to extend the life of the tire and felt less squishy when driving. I sold the vehicle they were on last year. When my current rig needs tires next year, I will likely buy them again.

Another tire on my radar is the M55 Toyo. It is a 'medium duty' tire and I am told they are SUPER TOUGH. Nearly indestructible. Most of the National Guard and local power company rigs (that routinely get off pavement) run them with very good results.

My $.02

We had the Nitto 3750lb tires on our truck , they rode well but I found the sidewalls to be very soft, they bulged out so bad that the truck looked like it was riding on the sidewalls. I was afraid of ripping the sidewalls out on large sharp rocks.

When doing the research on the Nittos, it did indeed look like TOYO and NITTO were the same outfit...or at least the tires all came from the same place...

Went with 19.5's and Michelin XDS, sidewalls very strong and straight, however need earplugs when on the pavement...wheels and tires now all 5000 pound ratings.. Ride is more harsh now...

I have the tera grapplers by Nitto as well in the 285/70 R17 rated at 3750 @80psi. One thing I found out is that Toyo tires owns Nitto Tires and has joined some type of rim/ wheel association. This means that the tires that were once rated heavy for us srw guys are getting there ratings dropped to meet the factory rim specs. I noticed on the Toyo website that a lot of there tires are only at 3195@80 psi now wear they used to be much higher. This came out of my tire dealers mouth so I believe there is some truth to it.

Very few companys in the wheel business are making 3500+ rated wheels , and if you do find what you like , trying to find the right offset/ backspacing is even worse. Having not enough backspacing pushes the wheel out to far and puts undue strain on your wheel bearings.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Beefie

I stopped at the 3750@80 PSI Nitto Terra Grappler as I could use the factory forged aluminum rims and 7500 lbs. at the rear axle is good enough. By selling the factory Firestone tires the cost for the upgrade to the Nitto tires cost me in total less than $500. With a 19.5 tire I would have to pay an extra $900 for new rims and find 19.5 rims in a 8x180 bolt pattern and good luck on that.

The 19.5 tires are highway treads and designed for onroad truck use and long tread life. I prefer something that is better suited to dirt roads and sand and snow.

I would go with the extra weight rating and looks.
I would check the weight rating on the rims but I don't know if that would stop me from going with the higher rated tires because if you overload the lower rated tires you are still on the same rims.

Cooper AT3 285/70/17 E rated to 3195lbs whereas the Nitto TG 305/70/17 is rated to 3640lbs.

With stock 8" wide 17" diameter rims, both will fit without rubbing. I've heard about some side wall flex with the Nitto TG, but since they are rated higher and look better for that size truck, I'm leaning that way.

We also use and like the Cooper AT3.I agree they are quiet and have good traction. We have used cooper E rated tires for over 20 years without any problems. We have them on 2 trucks and 1 trailer.

If you go to 19.5, the sidewalls are much stiffer even if taller.

Taller will result in more sidewall flex.

Check out the Cooper AT3 (made in the USA )