I have a 2005 Ram 1500 SLT 4x4 short box quad cab. Bought it second hand and it has 265/70r17 on it right now. Have to replace the tires, would there be any reason to drop down to OEM size of 245/70r17? Only thing I can think of is gas mileage, but if its negligible I would rather keep the bigger looking tire. If could get 3mpg out of it I would maybe consider it.

Some of the online sites say the 265 is an optional size anyways so thought I would post and see what people think.

I had Bridgestone Dueler A/Ts on and I must say they didnt last very long.

 

You will see 0 mpg change in that. If I was you I would be moving up in size. I got the same truck with 295/70/17`s. With my mods I get a consitent 16mpg in the hills of WV.

Bridgestones suck all together. What kind of driving do you do? I love my Nitto terra grapplers.

 

I had the 20s so its not quite the same, but I just got rid of the stock Goodyears at 35k miles. I was getting 15.5 overall when i was easy on it and mid 16s for all highway. I think they wore pretty well considering I wasn't easy on them. They wore evenly and only started to slightly cup after 30k miles.

Do you haul, go offroad or just street, see snow, want a meety tire, quiet, cheap? Got lots of questions to answer before you should pick out a tire.

 

I agree with Matt, I have heard great things about Nittos. I just bought the trail grapppler because I want the look, off road performance and my truck isn't my DD.

 

I went from 265/70 Dueler ATs (45K+) to a set of 285/70 Bridgestone Revo2s. 245s will improve your gear ratio and give you a bit more jump off the line. No change of tires will give a 3 mpg improvement. You could do many, many things which might provide a cumulative increase of that much, but it isn't likely.

 

I dont do much offroading to warrant extra cash on a more offroad tire and loose any hiway performance. I am 95% highway, hunt in the fall for a bit but thats about it.

I tow a trailer in the summer, but need a good allseason for winter as we have some very harsh winter conditions. As usual, dont want to break the bank, just had a kid.

BTW I am in Canada, prices suck here. I have seen these tires on for $120.00 in the states, oh well.

 

I found a set of Nitto Dura Grapplers for $1200 including a 4 wheel alignment. Seems to be the best price on tires around here that I can tell.

Thoughts on the NIttos?

Other than that its BFG Rugged Terrain TA for $1250, but its a 6 ply. The NIttos are 4 which is all I should really need, only tow a light trailer. Or there are a set of Hercules Tera Trac A/W for $1150.00.

 

I got BFG KO/TAs in Canada for $1100...

You should be able to grind the guys in the USA for cheaper than I got them for!

 

Check out the Cooper Zeon LTZ. ~$180/tire

 

From what your saying I think the Nitto Terra grapplers would be great for you because they are awesome in the snow. We have bad winters here as well and I never had any trouble. I have never heard anything about the nitto`s you mentioned but I looked them up and I don`t think they would be as good in the snow as the terra grappler. Maybe someone here has had them before but they just don`t have a good looking snow tread to me. As for the Hercules if your going to pay that much just go alittle more and get a much better tire if you can swing it.