So I finally made a tire related decision. At least a temporary one (I'll have to revisit the subject in the spring).
I bought a set of Blizzak DMV-1's in size 285/70R17 mounted on a set of Jeep Commander Hulk wheels.

Here's a picture



And here's a picture of them with a stocker sitting next to it.


Now my understanding is I need spacers to run 285's on stock wheels (the Hulks are the same measurements as stock, as far as I know), so I'm running a set of Spidertrax wheel spacers.

I installed the spacers a couple of months ago, when i rotated my Mud-Terrains. I noticed when I did this the jeep seemed to have lost alot of directional stability. In that it seemed to want to turn, and not go straight.
I wasn't sure if it was the spacers, or because of the tires:
I had rotated the spare into the mix because it had never been used and one of my tires was Bald.
In rotating them, some of them were now spinning backwards to how they've spun their entire life (previous owner never rotated them)

So I decided to wait a month. I think the problem mostly went away, as if the radials got used to spinning the other way now.

Now I got the snow tires put on. They're load rating 117, versus 113 for the stock tires. So they should be stiffer, right? They're larger, obviously. And they're also inflated to a higher pressure than I was at before, 37 psi versus 33 psi.

Problem is, it seems to not have any directional stability again.
Also it seems really floaty. Almost feels like the springs have been softened.
I mean it really feels different, like I'm riding on giant balloons. Almost dangerous too, like the wind was blowing me almost into the other lane!!

It must be that the sidewalls of the Blizzaks are just that much softer than the Stock BFG Mud Terrains?! Seems backwards since they're got a higher load rating!!!

Do I just need to get used to it?

Are the wider track of the spacers causing the problem? If so, I can remove them of course and try to trim a couple things to keep running the stock Hulks (I really like the looks of them)

Or maybe the alignment is off a little. It seemed like the Mud Terrains wore kinda fast from when I bought it, but I did put 9000 miles on it over the summer. In that time the Mud Terrains went from marginal to cashed. So maybe that's normal.

 

First of all, you should not HAVE to have spacers. Some people just trim/remove the fake plastic air dam and the rubbing problem is gone. I know that some blizzak tires are directional, and check to see if they are mounted correctly.

I think the hulk wheels are 6.25" of backspacing, which is near the JK stock 6" backspacing. The hulk wheels are actually closer to the brake set up than the stock moabs. This could be why you are rubbing?

Also, spidertrax spacers do make the jeep more skittish, because the track is wider and turning is greatly enhanced. Some people (like me) like this, cuz it makes you feel in "control". Make sure your spacers are set at 90 ft/lb with a torque wrench (same goes for your stock lug nuts).

Also... 37 psi is wayyy too high for a 285/70R17. I would put in 30 to 33psi max. I run 33psi in my 285 duratracs. I tried 30psi and it stopped squirming so much on the highway but my TPMS kept going off. Also.... the squirrely feeling is normal with a high load rating tire. I got used to it on my duratracs. I know exactly how you feel.


Checklist:

1. check direction of tires
2. check torque on spacers to ensure 90 ft/lb
3. lower psi to 32psi (happy medium to allow more deflation with colder air)
4. let us know!

 

1. I'll check when I get off of work
2. Just checked by the installers. 90 ft-lbs
3. Door jam says 37psi. In my experience, don't tires feel more baloonish with less pressure, so they'll feel even squishier with less pressure? I'll try lowering PSI, that's an easy thing to change.

For snowy icy conditions, the more directional stability the better.
I'll also try removing the spacers, especially if I'm not really gong to need them.

 

I've got 285/70-17 Hankook AT's on my stock wheels with no wheel spacers. The only place they rubbed was on the antiswaybar at full turn. I installed Daystar 3/4" suspension lifts and the tires didn't rub anymore unless the jeep was heavily loaded.
When I installed those tires, the only difference was the STIFF ride.
Same thing with pressures. Tried lowering but the tpms was on all the time. I have to keep them at 35psi. Steers well though and no wandering on a flat road.

 

I agree with Icyfridge-lower the tire pressure to low 30's-Had same issue with some 285/70/18 duratrac load range E tires. I ran mine down to 28 psi and shutoff the Tpms with procal.

 

Do all Jeeps have TPMS? I don't think mine has, the wheels have rubber valve stems.

I didn't have any TPMS sensor installed in the new wheels, no warning light yet.

 

I run 285/75-R16 Federal Couragia MT's with no spacers and they work fine. Just a little rubbing on the sway bar with it disconnected.

I run around 38psi in mine and they ride great. They are mostly gone now so wet pavement is an isse, but new, they were wonderful. I can be driving down the rode and let go and the wheel at it will just about drive itself.

I am not sure what MT's you were using that you had this problem with, but I do know that with snow tires you get a softer tread pattern and with all of the siping in the tread they have a much squshier ride than any other tire. I am running Firestone Winterforce tire on my Grand Cherokee and they are very very squishy on the curves.

 

TPMS is standard starting in 08.




For what psi to run - try a chalk test and see for yourself.

Higher pressure, you are running on the center of the tire tread. It will feel more flighty and wear out the center tread too fast, but may give slightly better mpg's.

Too low, and it will feel squishy and wear out the outside and inside of the tread before the middle.

Chalk test to get it right, and you have even treadwear across the whole tread surface. Better feel and better handling. Start somewhere in the low 30's and test from there...

 

The doorjam sticker is what applies to the stock tires. This is not what you should be running on the new bigger tires. And yeah... my tires were squirmy at 35 psi, but at 30 to 33 it's perfect.

 

The Blizzaks I have on the Tacoma feel stiffer than the BFG A/T's (ANd on the Jeep it's BFG M/T's versus Blizzaks). Granted in this case the BFG's are the bigger tire, but again only by one inch. Hard to think one inch larger on the tire would cause that much difference in feel.



Anyway, as an update, all tires are mounted the correct direction. I lowered the air pressure to 33 front 32 rear and it feels fine now.

Still surprised at that, I run the Tacoma up in the 40psi range to try and get better mileage. Seems to make the tires last longer too. And it doesn't feel flightly like this. It feels rock solid on the ride quality though.