what's the preference in the BF Goodrich KM2's between these two sizes?

LT285/70R17/D versus LT305/65R17/E and what does the D versus the E mean on the end?

Thanks..

The Big Boo

 

Bigger is better

 

I would go 305 any day

 

305 is 2 cm wider. Both are about 33" tires. E vs D = load capacity. E is a heavier load range, able to carry heavier loads (which also means it will ride a little rougher.)

Wider is not always better. Depends on what type of terrain you will be running in.

 

The difference between the two are.


LT285/70R17/D is 11.22" wide x 32.7" tall D?

LT305/65R17/E is 12.00" wide x 32.61" tall E?

I don't what the letter designation means. My choice would be the 285's.

 

Thanks...wider would be better, but I'll have to check the difference in price..I have a feeling that extra 3/4 " is going to cost too much to be worth it...aspect reatio would look better I think on the 305 too...

thanks again..

the Big Boo

 

Yes, you do need to worry about the load rating. An "E" rated tire means that it's a 10 ply in thinckness tire. It will beat the snot out of you in a Jeep. You'll feel every single bump in the road and the big ones will knock your teeth out. The load range "D" tires are 8 ply in thickness. They might even be overkill for a Jeep that is not going to see heavy offroading. If it's just going to see light trail use, and not anything serious like rock crawling, a load range "C" which is a 6 ply, will be just fine. Also, the heavier the load rating, the higher the price. It's a waste of money to buy more tire than you need. I plan to use 6 ply tires on mine. I know tires. I've been in the business a long time. I can tell you it's the industry's job to make people think they need more tire than they do. The easiest thing to do is this: Look on the door jamb of your Jeep. You'll see the weight rating for the front, rear and total. You can get the weight for each individual corner by dividing the front or rear by 2. Use that number as a minimum standard of weight rating when shopping for tires. The maximum weight capacity for all tires is clearly marked on the sidewall. Also note too, that a larger tire in the same load rating will have a higher weight capacity than the smaller one. In other words, a load range "C" 285 75 16 will have a higher weight capacity than a load range "C" 245 75 16, simply because it is a larger tire.

 

The 285's will fit the stock wheels and not have rubbing issues, with the 305's you will need to go to a wheel with more backspacing or get wheel spacers.

The 305's will also stick out more and with spacers or a properly backspaced wheel will more than likely be out past the stock flare and depending on your local laws may be illegal.

 

thanks...what brand and size mudtire would recommend for a jeep? 3 inch lift, 17 inch wheels...equivalent to the KM2s

the Big Boo

 

The wider tire will look and perform better in most off road applications on your jeep but check the backspacing before your order. With the stock 17" wheels you will probably need a 1.5" spacer or new wheels w/more backspacing to clear those wider tires.