DD 2003 Silverado needs new tires

[NV_K5]

Yes - I've searched and read! The existing threads are old and some appear to be of another tread design.

I have a 16x10 inch wheels so I cannot get smaller than a 295. And was quoted by the Les Schwab dealer $920.00 out the door for some Hankook MT RT03's.

I've run Good Year MT/r right after I lifted it and when I had enough of the square pos's I sold them, got like 25k miles out of them. Now I'm running Toyo MT's and like them but need to downsize to a smaller tire since now I'm pulling a trailer, commuting, gas prices etc. I got nearly 50K miles out of them, so no real complaints. They dont make a 295 x 16. they do make a 305 but I dont think I'd be gaining anything in the economy dept.

So my question(s) are:
Anyone have them with the new design?
Any reason to truly avoid them, I know their Korean/Chinese made - so what! so is everything else.
If they were sipped (sp) would they rate better wet traction? $55.00 more.

 

[6.2Blazer]

So my question(s) are:
Anyone have them with the new design?
Any reason to truly avoid them, I know their Korean/Chinese made - so what! so is everything else.
If they were sipped (sp) would they rate better wet traction? $55.00 more.

New design of what, or did I miss what tires you were talking about in regards to this question.

For the comment about needing at least a 295 tire:

295 = 11.6" wide
305 = 12.0" wide
285 = 11.2" wide

Basically, there is only .4" difference in width between your mentioned 295 series tire and either the very common 285 or 305 tire and therefore I don't think it would really make that much of a difference on way or the other.

 

[NV_K5]

It's not really standing out but the tire is: Hankook MT RT03's. The fitment guides for the Toyo and Hankook tires show 9.5" wheel max width. So with a 10" rim I'm pushing it anyway. I dont want the tread to crown when mounted and look goofy, but I need to reduce the size of the tires for economy sake.

 

[dremu]

Umm, you say "daily driver", "downsize" and "economy" ... and you're talking about wide, aggressive tires.

These are, in my mind, mutually exclusive concepts.

Seems to me like you could get a new set of smaller steelie wheels and some 31 or 32x10.50 tires (whatever the heck that is in metric) in a decent AP or AT pattern ... AND pay less than a grand for the set. You'd come out ahead on $$ and on mileage, power, etc.

That would be, umm, like a 265-70-16, 265-75-16, whatever they come in.

Heck, depending on what your existing tires are, diameter-wise, it would be like going down a couple steps on gear ratio, so you'd gain a bunch for towing from running the engine in the right power band, etc etc.

Or do you have your heart set on giant tires for a reason?

-- A

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I agree. I've seen factory steel wheels practically given away after folks can't sell them for the high prices they expect. Some even with good tires!

Siping will always increase traction and will definitely make any tire better in wet/slick conditions.

I say find some stock wheels (as long as you can run them with your lift) and either run some stock sized tires or some narrow 255/85R16's or 285/75R16's. Both are a 33" tall tire but neither is wider than 11".

 

[rob h]

i had a set of 315 75 16 bfg at on my 3500hd and i rotated em every oil change and i got 50,000 miles. thats good and i had extreme all terrains on i got 30,000 out of them...

 

[NV_K5]

So the answer you giving is - no you have no oppinion about those particular tires, and I should put stock tires on a truck with a 6 inch lift. got it.

Thanks.

The less than a grand per set is not reallistic. You're saying I could buy tires and wheels for less than a grand. These tires using my existing wheels with sipping would be less than a grand.

As far as ratio/power I have 4:10's now and can pull my 27' travel trailer pretty damn well, but Northern Nevada isn't flat and power is always good.

Anyway, thanks for the input and I will be buying the Hankook tires with siping later this week.