I'm getting my 14 sr5 lifted with bilsten set at 2.5 in the front with daystar 1.5 in the rear. I May keep the stock rims or get some level 8 mk6 in 0 or -10. The tires I'm considering are Cooper atp, Cooper at3 or Goodyear duratrac. Is there any other tires I should consider. I do mild trails and sand driving with 95% on road but do make a few trips out a year. I'd like to keep decent mileage and improve traction over stock tires
Best 285/70/17 for off road and mpg
- Thread starter Mowgli
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1engineer
Moderator
I don't understand. You are doing mods known to decrease efficiency by 2-4 mpg. Check weight, tread pattern and compound to try to salvage a bit of efficiency. Close tread blocks, lightweight (P rated) and a hard compound will be the most efficient.
There is nothing, short of putting an extended air dam on the front, that will make up for the inefficiency of lifting the truck.
There is nothing, short of putting an extended air dam on the front, that will make up for the inefficiency of lifting the truck.
I'm not trying to make up for the loss of mpg with lift. I'm trying to choose a tires that will do good for my needs but not decrease gas millage so much like a mud terrain
1engineer
Moderator
Then pick the lightest, hardest 285 out there that has the tightest tread pattern and that will be your answer.
sandcrawler
Senior Member
soooo... answer ≠ Duratracs
oljedi11950
New member
Or 275s
oljedi11950
New member
Cooper s/t maxx ?
CSix
New member
Nokian Rotiiva's Nokian Rotiiva AT - A all season tire that offers optimal performance with no compromises in terms of safety and driving comfort. / Nokian Tires
Also, look at the Nitto Terra Grapplers like they put on the TRD Pro. I think they are made by Toyo?
Also, look at the Nitto Terra Grapplers like they put on the TRD Pro. I think they are made by Toyo?
mook21
New member
somewhat similar lift and 285's… some thoughts
I initially had Firestone Destination 275/70/17 C rated on my lifted 2012 TE and was doing some challenging trails, ripped a side wall, and replaced with a used set of Firestone Destination 285's load rate E. Rougher ride and lost 1.5 MPG vs 275's but still a quiet tire. After LOADS of hours researching weights, reading reviews, etc. I decided to go with Cooper ATP 285/70/17 load rate E. I lost more MPG AND it was a much louder, rougher riding tire than the Firestone. Called Cooper and talked to a product manager who walked me through the differences in the tires (ATP vs AT3) and made the decision to so decided to get a beater set of MT's on steelies for any heavy offloading which I only do 1-2x per year and go with the P rated AT3's for every day driving, sand and light off road. I have not regretted it one bit. The ONLY thing that I can currently say as a negative vs. the Firestone Destination tires is that even the AT3 is a little bit more noisy… not much but it is noticeable. Firestone claims to have noise canceling technology in theirs using the tread pattern to cancel out road noise, I believe their claims, they are dead quiet tires AND performed very well off road. Coopers AT3's were absolutely amazing in our first snow, they were as good as the dedicated winter tires on my wife's car.
I initially had Firestone Destination 275/70/17 C rated on my lifted 2012 TE and was doing some challenging trails, ripped a side wall, and replaced with a used set of Firestone Destination 285's load rate E. Rougher ride and lost 1.5 MPG vs 275's but still a quiet tire. After LOADS of hours researching weights, reading reviews, etc. I decided to go with Cooper ATP 285/70/17 load rate E. I lost more MPG AND it was a much louder, rougher riding tire than the Firestone. Called Cooper and talked to a product manager who walked me through the differences in the tires (ATP vs AT3) and made the decision to so decided to get a beater set of MT's on steelies for any heavy offloading which I only do 1-2x per year and go with the P rated AT3's for every day driving, sand and light off road. I have not regretted it one bit. The ONLY thing that I can currently say as a negative vs. the Firestone Destination tires is that even the AT3 is a little bit more noisy… not much but it is noticeable. Firestone claims to have noise canceling technology in theirs using the tread pattern to cancel out road noise, I believe their claims, they are dead quiet tires AND performed very well off road. Coopers AT3's were absolutely amazing in our first snow, they were as good as the dedicated winter tires on my wife's car.
Synister
Member
Cooper does make a P-rated AT3 in 285, I have them, they are about 15 lbs lighter than a comparable D or E range tire. Should do just fine for sand and mild trails, Ive taken mine just about everywhere with no issues. Just have to be a little more cautious with the lighter sidewall.
Having said that though, the 285 is a gas mileage destroyer. Before these I ran 255/75 GYSA with nearly no impact to gas mileage. Moving up to a 285 I saw a permanent 2mpg drop, no matter how I drive.
Having said that though, the 285 is a gas mileage destroyer. Before these I ran 255/75 GYSA with nearly no impact to gas mileage. Moving up to a 285 I saw a permanent 2mpg drop, no matter how I drive.
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gm350reratliff
New member
I agree. You may see less mpg impact going with a narrow tire such as a 255/80/17, which is just as tall.
Honestly, I'm not a fan of any of your choices. If you were dead-set on 285s, I'd go with a BFG AT, Cooper st maxx, or Toyo AT.
Intruder
New member
Define "mild trail". One thing you learn on this site is that there are people with a very wide range of experience levels, so one person's mild trail may be another's intensely difficult trail. Also, trail conditions vary a lot based on where you go. For me a single mild trail can include mud, hard packed dirt, rocks, and water crossings. For someone else it might only include rocks.
When I was looking into tires I emailed Nitto about the new Terra Grappler G2 in 285. They make an E rated version and a standard load version. The standard version came in at only 44.53 pounds, which is quite light for a 285. If you're not off roading much these might be a nice option and they look fairly aggressive for an AT.
KidVermicious
New member
^ This. You won't find one with a tight semi-AT tread pattern, but less wind resistance, less rolling resistance, less unsprung weight and less rotating mass all equal better MPG than the equivalent tire in a 285.
I took no mileage hit going from 245/75r16 P-rated Big-O Bigfoot tires to 255/85r16 E-rated KM2s. Skinnies rock.
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