55 Psi
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Sheridan, Indiana, United States
BFG AT's
I dont know about yall. I had a set of BFG AT's last me right at 100,000 miles. That is they were on two different trucks that I owned. I kept them right at 60-65psi all of the time except for wheeling.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I see commercial light duty trucks with tires similar to the ones listed, with a high load rating. Many of these vehicles have a sticker on the door pillar from the factory that say 50 psi in an 80 psi max tire. It is not uncommon AT ALL to run tires a significant percentage below the max psi. I'm glad Teej straightened that out, and I agree with his post.
I think some of you only post two things. "it seems like it will cause problems" and " it will blow up" as a response to every post. Are you just feeding your post count with your misinformation? Any data or experiences to back up your claims?
I will suggest that most tire blowouts that occur from heat buildup and tire sidewall rubbing are caused by tire operated at extremely low pressure (less than 10 psi). The data is hard if not impossible to collect. Tires that blow out loose all pressure, so the evidence is gone. I have seen several tires with severe tire damage on the sidewall from being run low. In those cases the tires were extremely low, even with heat induced pressure increases.
I personally would use a chalk test. It will tell you the real tire pressure you need to run. Using ride as the only indicator is not the best way. Google 'tire chalk test' to learn more.
I think some of you only post two things. "it seems like it will cause problems" and " it will blow up" as a response to every post. Are you just feeding your post count with your misinformation? Any data or experiences to back up your claims?
I will suggest that most tire blowouts that occur from heat buildup and tire sidewall rubbing are caused by tire operated at extremely low pressure (less than 10 psi). The data is hard if not impossible to collect. Tires that blow out loose all pressure, so the evidence is gone. I have seen several tires with severe tire damage on the sidewall from being run low. In those cases the tires were extremely low, even with heat induced pressure increases.
I personally would use a chalk test. It will tell you the real tire pressure you need to run. Using ride as the only indicator is not the best way. Google 'tire chalk test' to learn more.
JK Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway, SC
I know this is not from BFG, but you should look at this data
3w.goodyear.com/truck/pdf/databook/loadInflation.pdf
for a load range D tire in your size 285/70/17, each tire can support 1820 pounds at 35 PSI. These ratings are usually identical from brand to brand.
Unfortunately, Michelin (BFGs parent) does not show a 285/70/17 in their document which is here
3w.michelintruck.com/assets/pdf/Truck_Tire_Data_Book_Jan2007.pdf
(copy and paste the urls and replace thw "3w" with "www")
3w.goodyear.com/truck/pdf/databook/loadInflation.pdf
for a load range D tire in your size 285/70/17, each tire can support 1820 pounds at 35 PSI. These ratings are usually identical from brand to brand.
Unfortunately, Michelin (BFGs parent) does not show a 285/70/17 in their document which is here
3w.michelintruck.com/assets/pdf/Truck_Tire_Data_Book_Jan2007.pdf
(copy and paste the urls and replace thw "3w" with "www")
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: reading, pa
you also have to watch, i don t have my jk yet and don t know if the are lt tires or p rated. but when you get it inspected and the vehicle came with lt tires and you put p rated on they aren t suppost to pass it. now i kno, i know most mechanics don t look at this, but as a tire technician myself i do, and that is what the vehicle was designed to run.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: East Hampton, NY
On my xterra... jk is coming in the end of this month i hope... i have bfg AT's and i always ran at like 32-35 psi... till one day i was at a tire shop gettign a bfg AT spare mounted on my 71 cj 5 spare rim ... and the hillbilly tire guy , nice guy, looks at my xterra tires and says "your tires are crowning!" i said"ummm" he tells me my pressure is too low for those tires and says i need to run 50 -55 psi in those.... so i aired them up and damn it felt better.... more responsive, as responsive as that elephant can get i guess,less wishywashy, but it felt firmer and handled better..... so i've run 50 ish for the last 1.5 yrs..... tire guy said tires would wear funny if i ran them at 32ish psi .... also I love BFG AT's Ive had them on my Cherokee , my CJ5 and Xterra and want them for my JK asap.... i love them.... they wear GREAT and arnt to loud.... i'd marry them if i wasnt already married. .... just my 2 cents
Just kidding i couldn't let that one go!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: East Hampton, NY
I recently installed some LT285/70/17 BFG A/T tires on my JK. At the time of purchase I did not realize that the tires are a load range D and did not know much of what it meant. Well I have been doing a little research and now know what all of the different designations mean.
I didn't like that the tires road rougher than the originals. I aired them down to 30 psi and I guess they are tolerable. But I took it one step further and decided to call BFG and ask for their opinion on the correct pressure. They asked what vehicle I had, the original size tire and pressure, and what tire I had installed. They put me on hold for a little while and came back with an answer of 55 psi. I said this sounded a bit to much but they reassured me that they were correct. Well I haven't tried 55 psi and don't intend to. I don't even know if the wheels are rated for this much pressure.
I really don't like the ride now and have been looking at getting either a P metric size all terrian or a load range C tire. Do you think there is much difference in the P metric to load range C on ride and handling? It will be on road 99% of the time.
I didn't like that the tires road rougher than the originals. I aired them down to 30 psi and I guess they are tolerable. But I took it one step further and decided to call BFG and ask for their opinion on the correct pressure. They asked what vehicle I had, the original size tire and pressure, and what tire I had installed. They put me on hold for a little while and came back with an answer of 55 psi. I said this sounded a bit to much but they reassured me that they were correct. Well I haven't tried 55 psi and don't intend to. I don't even know if the wheels are rated for this much pressure.
I really don't like the ride now and have been looking at getting either a P metric size all terrian or a load range C tire. Do you think there is much difference in the P metric to load range C on ride and handling? It will be on road 99% of the time.
I have a Dodge 1500 quad cab and it didn't even come with Light Truck tires. It rides like a car. Now the Nitto Terra Grapplers I have just put on last week carry a rating for load range "D" and they ride harder than stock. They were installed with 40 PSI Cold. The sidewall states that 50 PSI for max load rating. I aired down the fronts to 35 PSI COLD and left the rear at 40 and it made a difference. I had about 300LBS bulk product in the back on Saturday and it rode like a dream. Thats what I use mine for though. Sounds to me that you should consider a tire with a lower Ply Rating and I'm sure you will find the right match for your needs. IMHO
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
On the stock Rubicon tire, 255/75R17 at 37 Psi, the recommended pressure, the load carrying capacity is about 1,962.5 Pounds. On the 285/75R17 to achieve this load you would have to run 32 Psi. This would give you the same load but not necessarily the best ride and or tire wear. As others have said if you add equipment you would want to increase you load carrying capacity.