Hey everyone, winter is approaching and my good ol Duratrac's are coming to the end of their lives, unfortunately. I was browsing what new ones would cost me and they were looking like nearly $1100! I came across treadwright.com and I know several guys on here use them and like them, and you can't beat the prices.

My questions are though,
Which Tread? The Guard Dog or the BFG-AT's? Most of my driving is snow and ice, with the occasional mud in the summer, but I'm on-road quite a bit as well so I don't want an M/T one.

And, which size? Retreads seem to run a little bigger in diameter. Usually 285/75's are 32.7/8 in diameter, but on treadwright they say 33.2. I have a 2" level, and just want something a little bit bigger than what I have now, is the 33.2 too big? Or should I just get the 265's at 32.2?

Wyo

 

Keep in mind going to a larger diameter tire is going to eat your low end grunt. Unless you have an off-road edition, that already has 4.10 gears..... (but it doesn't look that way.) Treadwright seems to be a good company, with good feedback, and good customer service.

 

Going from my 265/75 Duratracs to a 33.2" from treadwright, how much would I lose?

 

It'll be noticeable. If you do a lot of highway driving.... you will notice that at 65 mph, the tach will read a couple hundred RPM lower as well. Going to the 285's, you might wanna consider doing gears. 4.10's would be good, if you do mostly around town, 4.56 would put a big ol' smile on your face.

 

I have 285/75/R16's in the Guard Dog Pattern. I have a 2" lift and the tires rub on the control arms but no where else. The offroad traction is awesome but there is a significant increase in rolling resistance. I had 225/75/R16's with street tread and I would accelerate going down hills, with the guard dogs my speed stayed steady. Gas mileage went from 15 highway to 12 highway, same road same conditions.

My truck is only used for side work on a farm and other odds and ends so gas mileage was not a huge deal I needed the traction. I would not suggest the guard dogs for a truck that sees a lot of road use. I have 7000 miles on them and they are wearing very evenly and not to fast. I beat on them, spinning in mud/snow, sliding corners on pavement(rarely), and towing and I have never had one bit of trouble or any signs that they are coming apart.

 

So maybe staying with a 265 would be a better idea? I don't have the money to do gears as I'm off to college soon, and the treadwright 265's are already a little bigger anyways.

 

Unfortunately, they don't let you 'test drive' tires..... maybe chat with one of your local tire stores, and see what they have to say?

That said..... I have the stock 3.55 gears, and I would LOVE to upgrade to 285's. (currently on 265's, just like yours....) The truck seems to have more than adequate power for those..... but, I haven't tried it with larger tires yet either......

 

I honestly just like the look of the 285's. I'm not out at the track racing, but that being said, it's my DD, I drive it to and from town, (I live 8 miles out a country road), I mow lawns and regularly pull a 2-3k trailer, I take it hunting and mudding, but it also sees highway miles too.. So I don't want to kill my power, but a little loss wouldn't be terrible..... I'm just torn on which way go.

 

Go with the bigger tires, see what you think, and start saving for GEARS! and lockers.

 

I went from 265's to 285's and yes you will notice a difference. It's not huge , but it is more noticeable when towing.