285 Vs 265 Bfg At On Gmt800

Gryphon · May 19, 2011

I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of BFG All Terrains for my '05 Sierra 1500 with 17" rims. I'm not sure whether I should go with the 265/70R17s or 285/70R17s. I DO know that with the 285s I have to trim away at the rubber in front to prevent rubbing and that doesn't sit too well with me, though I had planned on cranking the torsion keys a little to take some of the factory rake out of the truck, just lift it in the front by another inch or so, nothing serious. Only doing that when I get helper bars or air assist for the rear because I tow.

I'll say that I like the posture the 2500 Sierras have with their massive frame and they're usually running smaller rubber. Not that I need to dress up like a heavy duty but I'm leaning towards the 265s just to keep it a little more proportionate. If anyone has some pics to share with BFG ATs on their GMT800 I would REALLY appreciate it!

Also, anyone have a recommendation on load range? My local shop has C and E in stock. The truck's only a half ton so I'm presuming the C would work just fine, but the truck's rated to tow up to 9000 lbs so should I go for the extra stiffness of the E load range tire? Thanks guys!

Reds · May 19, 2011

If youll be towing it wouldnt hurt to go with the E load range. Better off having to much weight cap. than not enough.

ATMINF · May 19, 2011

I was in the same boat a little while ago except my truck is a 2500HD and I have 16" rims. I went with the 265's. They look just right in my book. Since the rim is on 6.5"wide the 285s would have ballooned out too much where the 265s look beefy without the overly stretched out look. Also since I do tow every now and again having the tire sit in the rim properly makes me feel better about the narrower 265 tire. As for height the 265 is about a 32" tire where the 285 is a little bit bigger than a 33" so they both fill out the wheel wells very nicely over the stock 245 tires. Sorry no pics though.

tyhuck · May 22, 2011

Im running 265s on a 17' wheel on my 05 1500 Z71. My truck has a 2" lift front and a 2" add-a-leaf in the rear. I like the stance, and it looks like a 2500, but I still think it needs more aggressiive wheels and a set of 285 tires to finish it off.

Most people around here run 285 or 305 on their 2500s. Im not in the market of passing my 1500 off as a 2500, I just like the height of a 2500. THey look like a stock 4wd should.

montecarlo31 · May 23, 2011

I ran 285s then 295s and back to 285s (to get my BFGs again). I can say the 295s were the best size. I had ZERO rub and am off road every day. My problem with the 295s were they were Nitto Terra Grapplers and they sucked big time off road in anything but snow or sand.

Stock suspension only cranked the bars maybe two times, I'm still back high to make up for my loads either in the form of a trailer or bed junk.

295s:

285s:

285 BFG AT E with about 6,000 lbs of trailer (2 yrds of 3/4" granite and 1,200 lb trailer).

uh6tdrvr · May 23, 2011

How are the BFG's in mud? Not like bumper deep but a decent amount. I have been considering them but tend to get muddy every now and again so i need some mud characteristics.

tyhuck · May 23, 2011

I like them. They slip a little, but what AT tire wouldnt. I hit holes about 8" deep max, and Ive never been stuck. I definately lock the 4wd in and I can feel the rear locker engage, but it crawles right through with only a little wheel spin. On shallow mud, like a packed roadbed with 2-3" of surface mud, they do great. They slip a little but its definately nothing I cant handle in 2wd. I would probably get another set but I can get mud grips cheaper here locally than I can get anyhting from BFG.

Not sure if your truck is 4wd or 2wd, but in my situation, I wouldnt suggest having them on a 2wd, but your situation may be different.

montecarlo31 · May 25, 2011

I'm off road almost daily. They are the best AT tire you can find for mud. I deal with stuff that's really really nasty when wet. It's like wet GA or LA clay but slipperier. I'm happy with them as they are good mix between the MT and AT. The MTs were great BUT with the rain we get in FL they left a lot to be desired in highway stopping stability and distance. The truck took a LONG time to stop in the pouring rain and left me heading for the shoulder many times to avoid a collision.

I have plowed through bumper deep mud with the AT and they work good. As noted you need to keep some type of wheel speed up to clean them (that's any tire, MT or AT). With my truck that requires 4wd low due to the 3.42 gears and craptastic 4 speed auto). The overall stability of these tires is great. There is a good bit of road noise to be heard from them even if you rotate every 5K miles.

I paid 170 ea for my 285/70R17 BFG AT Load Range E tires without the white lettering. Look around and see what kind of deals you can find.