For all considering 17" wheels read here first!

4 years ago when I put higher load rated wheels and tires on my 2500HD I went with 17x8.5" wheels with Nitto Dura Grappler 285/70R17E tires rated at 3750. This was a fairly new tire at the time and Nitto also sold the Terra Grappler in this size rated at 3750 and Toyo had the Open Country AT in this size rated at 3740. I figured by the time the Dura Grapplers wore out there would be more options. I was dead wrong. Nitto discontinued the orig Terra Grappler and replaced it with the Terra Grappler G2, the 285/70R17E for this tire is rated at 3195. Toyo replaced the Open Country AT with the AT2 rated at 3195. All that's left rated at 3750 is the Dura Grappler and unfortunately it is aweful in the snow which is bad in New England. I should have stuck with 16" wheels, tons of tire options rated at 3750 in the 285/75R16E size and very good prices too.

Somewhere along the way the tire MFG got together and decided that 17" wheels were not going to be good for heavy loads. Newer trucks will have to go 18" due to rotors being so big, my 2007 classic came with 16s so I'm going back to them now.