Jr_Explorer
Explorer
"Soft, Grippy" A/T tires that offer more pavement grip than off-road performance?
I didn't want to hijack the thread started by BBslider001 where he is looking for stock size tires.
So I originally posted a reply relating my current experience with larger tires:
And got these two responses.
Not a truck issue. Stock 245's and it stops like a sports car (seriously... I've driven trucks & SUV's my whole life and was amazed how well this almost 7,000 lb truck stopped and how deep I could drive it into a corner and out brake others.) For Overlanding I'm VERY new. For running SUV's and trucks on pavement and going plus 1 or plus 2 on tires... I've had a fair bit of experience. I do my own maintenance. I'm fairly mechanically minded, etc. I know I'm new here so I'm just trying to fill everyone in.
The hydroboost is working fine. P/S feels good. Everything is in good working order. On a clear dry road I CAN push hard enough to start locking up all four corners with ABS kicking in. And I know I could put better pads on and reduce that pedal force required some. Keep in mind though that the 25% more pedal force is also 25% more heat, wear, etc.
That isn't the only issue. There is a reason some people get 70k-80k on a set of BFG A/T's... They are made with a hard rubber compound! In the dry they have less grip then the worn out 245 size Goodyear Wrangler SR-A's that were on there. Accelerating hard on dry, clean pavement and when the boost hits with these A/T's I get the rear end breaking free and spinning in 2nd, 3rd and 4th! So it's not a "brake system" issue. It's a "less traction" than other tire issue.
So I guess I'll ask the question that is before me... Are there All Terrain tires that are softer and therefore "grippier" on pavement than BFG A/T's? Also... Are all A/T tires going to give up and slide around when pushed on pavement because of the independent nature of the tread blocks? I'm thinking Wrangler AT-S's or Firestone Destination A/T's would be better due to the nature of the tighter tread pattern (continuous center rib in the Firestone) (and yes I know, these less agressive patterns will not do AS well as more open tread patterns off road). Does anyone know if the Goodyear Silent Armor or AT/S or Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO 2's are a softer compound "stickier" tire than the BFG A/T's? Or any of the many A/T's?
I didn't want to hijack the thread started by BBslider001 where he is looking for stock size tires.
So I originally posted a reply relating my current experience with larger tires:
You might very well notice the difference in braking. I just replaced my 245/75R16's (stock on 2007 WT trim 2500 HD Silverado) 285/70R17 (which several folks swore would fit with no mods but they rubbed a bit. Nothing a little heat and plastic "shaping" couldn't fix). OMG! It takes approximately 25% more brake pedal force to stop the beast. If anyone needs five (5) brand new BFG A/T's let me know. I'm not keeping them.
And got these two responses.
Ok...how does your braking system do with stock tires and a load? Sounds to me like a truck issue not a tire issue.
Not a truck issue. Stock 245's and it stops like a sports car (seriously... I've driven trucks & SUV's my whole life and was amazed how well this almost 7,000 lb truck stopped and how deep I could drive it into a corner and out brake others.) For Overlanding I'm VERY new. For running SUV's and trucks on pavement and going plus 1 or plus 2 on tires... I've had a fair bit of experience. I do my own maintenance. I'm fairly mechanically minded, etc. I know I'm new here so I'm just trying to fill everyone in.
I don't recall our 2500HD's having weak brakes? Was your ABS kicking in? Is your vaccuum or hydroboost failing? If it's hydroboost, hows your power steering pump feel?
Try some EBC Yellow pads, they have a bit more initial bite. Bleed your brakes and use a good fluid. Sounds like your stock setup has a weak link somewhere. 285 isn't much tire, an empty 1 ton truck like yours should stop fine still. Usually it's the tires and traction that are the limiting factor in a trucks stopping distance.
25% more brake pedal force with no other faults? Psh, that won't hurt anything. If you can trip the ABS into pumping on all 4 corners and screech to a stop on a dry road then the brakes are biteing fine.
The hydroboost is working fine. P/S feels good. Everything is in good working order. On a clear dry road I CAN push hard enough to start locking up all four corners with ABS kicking in. And I know I could put better pads on and reduce that pedal force required some. Keep in mind though that the 25% more pedal force is also 25% more heat, wear, etc.
That isn't the only issue. There is a reason some people get 70k-80k on a set of BFG A/T's... They are made with a hard rubber compound! In the dry they have less grip then the worn out 245 size Goodyear Wrangler SR-A's that were on there. Accelerating hard on dry, clean pavement and when the boost hits with these A/T's I get the rear end breaking free and spinning in 2nd, 3rd and 4th! So it's not a "brake system" issue. It's a "less traction" than other tire issue.
So I guess I'll ask the question that is before me... Are there All Terrain tires that are softer and therefore "grippier" on pavement than BFG A/T's? Also... Are all A/T tires going to give up and slide around when pushed on pavement because of the independent nature of the tread blocks? I'm thinking Wrangler AT-S's or Firestone Destination A/T's would be better due to the nature of the tighter tread pattern (continuous center rib in the Firestone) (and yes I know, these less agressive patterns will not do AS well as more open tread patterns off road). Does anyone know if the Goodyear Silent Armor or AT/S or Bridgestone Dueler A/T REVO 2's are a softer compound "stickier" tire than the BFG A/T's? Or any of the many A/T's?