I did a search and didn't see anything related soooo...

Wondering what people think about sticking with the stock-ish width of just under 11" (275/65/18) vs any size up to the 12.5" like on the 35x12.5x18 and how the truck handles those tires in other than pavement conditions (snow, rain, dirt, mud)? I'm thinking a larger width = larger footprint and more floatation on snow, mud, sand and there by changing the handling dynamics of the truck overall. Does that make sense or even correct in my thinking?

I ask because of everything I've read I only saw dubsesd mention that he had a 35x12.5x20 at one point, I believe, and went back to a more stock-ish 285 width because of how the tires handled the snow up there. Maybe the Dubman himself can speak to this???

I am in the same boat sort of as I will be driving through snow at times and loved my old BFG's. The other thing is that in researching lifts/levels and tires I have come to realize I'd like to stick to the BFG KO2 on an 18" rim where sizes are pretty limited. If I want to get a larger diameter I pretty much have to move to the 12" width range if I want to stick with the 18" rim.

Thanks for any insight!

 

I personally like 285 as a tire width. Wider than stock but not so wide like a 12.5 that it absolutely kills your MPG's. It is really a matter of preference but I based on what I have read I would stick to the 285/295 range. As for floatation, from a general rule of thumb I have always thought of wider tires being worse in the snow. I think driving style in bad conditions is the most critical component but as for hydroplaning wider with more surface area would float easier than a narrower tire. When you get super wide you also have to worry about the tires rubbing as well.

 

running 285/70/17 and I like teh extra width over stock. Feels more planted.

 

right now i run 305's on my 2011, but when my 2015 comes in i will run either 275 or 285's, just due to mileage and handeling in winter