305/65-18 vs. 285/65 –18

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-05-2007, 11:41 AM
Rochester's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
305/65-18 vs. 285/65 –18

I will be putting one of these tires on my stock FX4 rims in the coming month or so. They will be the BFG T/A KO tires. My question is which one? I am mainly concerned with the ride stiffness. Will the added profile height of the 305 cancel out the negative effects of the extra width? These are both E load range tires. I am coming from the 275/65-18 Goodyear ATS, which I believe are only a C load range tire.
 
  #2  
Old 01-05-2007, 01:17 PM
Jordan not Mike's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The LBC (Long Beach, CA)
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you are on the right track...a taller sidewall generally provides a little extra ride comfort.

This is one reason why I run 60-series performance tires on my Expy, and am not interested in huge wheels with skinny sidewalls.
 
  #3  
Old 01-05-2007, 01:46 PM
smitty'slariat's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I got the 305's and they ride just fine, i drive on the interstate 30 min to work each day both ways , bigger is better, get the 305's. I have only lost 1.2 miles per gallon, and it rides a little stifferbut not enough to hardley notice, and its a truck not a luxury car.
 
  #4  
Old 01-05-2007, 04:00 PM
mewaschuk's Avatar
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Haverhill, MA
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I thought they only came 265 or 285 in the 18", no 275? I will be getting the 285/18s on Tuesday with the 2.5 AS. I'll keep you posted.
 
  #5  
Old 01-06-2007, 10:35 AM
DCinMI's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Upper Peninsula, MI
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Rochester
I will be putting one of these tires on my stock FX4 rims in the coming month or so. They will be the BFG T/A KO tires. My question is which one? I am mainly concerned with the ride stiffness. Will the added profile height of the 305 cancel out the negative effects of the extra width? These are both E load range tires. I am coming from the 275/65-18 Goodyear ATS, which I believe are only a C load range tire.
Do you have any mods up front to help with lift? It would seem to be a tight squeeze (diameter-wise) if you go with that 305/65/18. I'm not 100% sure, but just a guess.

I've read about guys getting the 285's on with no problems. Just not sure about the 305's.
 
  #6  
Old 01-07-2007, 10:30 PM
Rochester's Avatar
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Goodyear’s I currently have are 275. The BFG's in an 18” rim come in widths of 265,285,305 & 325. Yes I have a 2" spacer up front. I am not concerned about the fit of either I was asking opinions on the ride difference. Generally speaking a wider tire gives a rasher ride due to the larger contact patch. Conversely the taller sidewall gives more cushion. Thanks for the help.
 
  #7  
Old 01-08-2007, 02:20 AM
FX4life's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor

Join Date: May 2006
Location: High Plains of West Texas
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Id say the 305's, thats what i plan on going with. Ive seen a couple of pics of them on stock 18's and they look great. The 285's look good, but are a little small i think.
 
  #8  
Old 01-08-2007, 03:11 PM
Copenhagen848's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm pretty sure you'll need a leveling kit with the 305's. The 305's get my vote.
 
  #9  
Old 01-08-2007, 06:21 PM
DCinMI's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Upper Peninsula, MI
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Rochester
The Goodyear’s I currently have are 275. The BFG's in an 18” rim come in widths of 265,285,305 & 325. Yes I have a 2" spacer up front. I am not concerned about the fit of either I was asking opinions on the ride difference. Generally speaking a wider tire gives a rasher ride due to the larger contact patch. Conversely the taller sidewall gives more cushion. Thanks for the help.
I guess I kind of missed that in your first post. Sorry.

I do know that all else being equal, more sidewall = more cushion. Your question regarding the dynamics of tire width in conjunction with taller sidewall is intriguing.

I'd say just go with the 305's and any little bit of stiffness in your ride will be offset by how sweet they look.

And show us some pictures when you're done!
 
  #10  
Old 01-09-2007, 01:02 PM
smitty'slariat's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Could not said it better myself. Nicely put
 



Quick Reply: 305/65-18 vs. 285/65 –18



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:11 AM.