[cgr1971]

I just purchased a new to me DMAX and the tires are completely shot on it so I need to replace them. Truck is an 03 Chevy 4WD CC SB. It currently has 285/75/16 D BFG AT KO's on it. I don't like the way the tires handle at all. It is too sloppy and encumbered for me and am going back down to either 245 or 265's.

I have been using search extensively and have read for hours about the stock 245/75/16 compared to the 265/75/16 size tires. Everything that I have read seems to focus on how much better the bigger tires look and the difference in fuel economy, but very little is said about the ride and handling differences between the two sizes. Does one size ride better? Does one handle more crisply that the other? I don't like the sloppy soft sidewall feel on any vehicle I drive and don't want to have that sloppy feel if I put 265's on the truck. I would assume that the 245's offer a more responsive feel due to the shorter sidewall. I do however appreciate the appearance of the 265's vs the 245's. Is there a noticeable difference between the two? Handling and ride are more important to me than looks are though. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Jetmech]

I just went from the factory 245/75/16 tires to a set of 265/75/16 tires, and there is a noticeable difference in ride, as far as going over bumps and railroad tracks. As far as handling goes, I would say that it seems to hug the road a little better, but that may be because they are new tires with a better sidewall. If you want my 2 cents, I would go with the 265s, because it does just feel more stable. hope this helps.....

 

[saratoga]

The 265's look better, the 245's handle better. Take your pick.

I've got 265 Michelin LTX's on my 06 and noticed a big difference in the sidewall flex when changing lanes quickly, over bumps, etc from the pizza cutter 245's. Lower pressures help with the sudden jarring from bumps, but exagerate the slushy feeling. Higher pressures cut down on the slush, but bash your kidneys over every bump.

I have gotten used to it now and probably won't go back to 245's when the time comes however.

 

[bkoppenaal]

The only time I feel the dif is when hauling real heavy, I had 6500 lbs in a dump trailer total weight 18,650 lbs and handled just fine. I would have preferred a 265 E rated tire but bfg at's are D's and wanted the off road capabilities that they offer.

 

[CSILVERADO]

Bf goodrich 265's are "e" rated. Handle much better than those michelin's in "C" load range. I would only use an "e" tire on our trucks. IMHO. I hated the stocker 245's. Much better now with 265's.

 

[lotsofmiles]

I have 265/75 16 Michelin ltx m/s on the silverado lbz in my sig. No complaints at all! I have 60,000 on this set and the tread looks like it will go another 60K. Don't know if yours is a 2500 or 3500, but 265 is what mine came with new. They don't feel sloppy at all. I'm thinking of putting 265's on my express van when I get tires for it, if they will fit. the van is a 3500 and came with 245's

 

[SLT223]

Load Range C tires have no business being on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, IMO. I found that my truck handled a little better with 265's. I think that has to do with a the larger foot print. It improved the ride by not having to drive on such high inflation pressures compared to 245's. Made the ride a little softer.

 

[Cajun4x42006]

265-75's -E

I'm on my second set of 265/75's. I took the stockers off at 200 miles I could not stand the look of little tires that came on the truck. I never noticed any ride differance and the handling was little better seems to grab hold to the ground during turns pretty good. I pull a 10k camper and never had any issues with the handling

the tires in my sig are the ones i'm currently running

 

[tytan]

I noticed no difference from the stockers to 265s. Stick with a load range E tire.

 

[Gregs Manly GMC]

New to this also and this post information is very helpful. Thanks Gang :ro)

Thinking the same when mine 245's wear out. Like the stock rims but wish they were wider.

 

[DMAXMO]

This is my 2nd set of 265/75-16's, both Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo's. I have not noticed any negative affects running the taller 265's in fact, I don't get that annoying 2-1 downshift I used to get when slowing down in parking lots. I do not notice any side wall flex but I tend to keep the tires inflated towards the upper end. The ride is not unpleasant and I will stick with the 265's even though I am probably giving up a little fuel mileage.

 

[DMFX3415]

I just installed a set of nitto terra grapplers 265/75R16 E and I think they ride a lot better than the 245s did when they were on the truck.

 

[Recon sergeant]

265's all the way and as for sidewall flex get the new Goodyear Wranglers W/silent armor (Pro Grade) and you will stop the sidewall roll. I was running them and thought I would try somthing diffrent and WOW what a diffrence the tires made! Don't know what you got until its gone. Won't happen a second time though!
My .02

 

[DuramaxEric]

What are you guys running for tire pressure all the way around? about 55 psi?

 

[DMFX3415]

I run the tires a little higher is tire pressure. That way I get longer tread life and I think it still rides nice, thats just me but, the tire pressure that I run is 55 psi in the front and 75 psi in the rear.

 

[Northeast Duramax]

My stock 245's are getting a little thin and I'm thinking about putting on some 265's. Is there anything I should worry about with a stock truck? I assume I might lose a few mpg's, hopefully not much? any idea how much it would be? Any issues with lugging? Will the speedo need to be adjusted for shift points, etc? I'm hoping 245 --> 265 is not a big enough jump to make much of a difference. I'm thinking about putting either BFG's on or Dick Cepek Radial FC II's on, but I'm open to other opinions. Anybody having any issues or huge mpg loss with 265's on a stock truck?
~Ryan

 

[lotsofmiles]

Are you guys with sidewall flex on 265's running lt's or P's?
as for psi I always run my 265's at 80psi. stockers lasted over 70000. current michelin ltx have 60000 ish on em with lots more to go

 

[LMM_Guy]

Something that hasn't been discussed here is the effect of rim width on how a tire acts.

If you put a 285 on a 6.5" wheel (stock width) it's gonna be a mess, put that same tire on a 8" or 9" rim and it's going to be much more stable. The sidewalls will be closer to verticle. I just swaped on 265's on H2 wheels (8.5"), the stability increase is flat out amazing compared to the stockers. I'm even running BFG rugged trail take offs, being an OEM tire they are built pretty soft. I believe a 285 on these wheels would feel about the same as stock.

 

[Dave001]

Hi Ryan,

I have these Dick Cepek's in the for sale area, I thought a guy had bought them but haven't heard back from him for a while. They are 285's so they are bigger than what you are looking for, but thought I'd mention it anyway. Since I never ran them I can't comment on the ride at all.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254713&highlight=Dick+Cepek

 

[msheriff]

I also have and 03, went from 246 to 265s. Did notice slight drop in mpg. No difference in ride or handling. Sits up higher, however, you should ONLY RUN E, 10 ply tires on these trucks!!
If you notice on the side wall, your weight cap. increases when you go to a 265 over a 245.

I keep pressure at 60 front & back until I hook up heavy, then go to 80 rear.