Looking for tire wisdom *Updated*

[j.stotts]

So I currently have a 2018 JLU Sport S with the 8 speed (3.45 gears) and 285/70r17s. Its getting close for me needing to replace my tires and I keep fighting the urge to purchase beefier looking tires. I'm contemplating getting some 305/70r17s, is my logic flawed thinking I'm better off going that route vs 315/70r17 knowing I have zero intentions of regearing. The logical part of me thinks I should just stick with the tire size I have now to avoid excessive wear and tear of the larger tires. What's y'alls thoughts? I don't offroad, this Jeep is my daily driver that I occasionally use to go camping.

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[Reinen]

For your use case, the best thing to do is stick with 285/70R17. It's not just wear & tear, larger tires are nothing but negatives on-road in MPG and handling. The larger the tire, the bigger the negatives. Their only benefit to your use case is appearance.

That said, if appearance is important enough, 305/70R17 would be a good compromise. Slightly beefier while still being rather close to the functionality you have now.

This reply will be followed by a horde of people telling you to go big as possible in spite of the tires being zero improvement to on-road use.

 

[Radioman]

For your use case, the best thing to do is stick with 285/70R17. It's not just wear & tear, larger tires are nothing but negatives on-road in MPG and handling. The larger the tire, the bigger the negatives. Their only benefit to your use case is appearance.

That said, if appearance is important enough, 305/70R17 would be a good compromise. Slightly beefier while still being rather close to the functionality you have now.

This reply will be followed by a horde of people telling you to go big as possible in spite of the tires being zero improvement to on-road use.

Actually, I agree that he should stay with the factory original size

 

[j.stotts]

Honestly I was hoping to get feedback like this and not just people telling me to go big or go home haha.

 

[2nd 392]

Or split the difference a little more with 285/75’s, see the threads with before and after pics. Available in C load if 305/70’s aren’t.

 

[Blues Fan 30]

Honestly this is one of the biggest letdowns for me by jeep is not offering gearing choices from the factory knowing full well people like to run larger tires. Sucked being stuck with the sahara gearing just because the sahara checked the most boxes.

 

[2nd 392]

Honestly this is one of the biggest letdowns for me by jeep is not offering gearing choices from the factory knowing full well people like to run larger tires. Sucked being stuck with the sahara gearing just because the sahara checked the most boxes.

when I got my PU their was a list from high fwy to stump pullers to choose from at no extra charge. With Jeep it’s by model or package, or limited extra cost 4.88’s option…..

 

[Husky Man]

Tread pattern can also affect, fuel mileage, road noise, and tire life, as well as appearance, and handling in various weather/surface conditions.

Likely more than you want, but going to the Toyo ATIII in 35x12.50R/17, I lost a little bit of fuel mileage, but with the EcoDiesel and 3.73’s it wasn’t bad at all, and they have worn very well, well past the mfg expected life ratings.

Size is definitely something to consider, but also think about what tread style will perform best for your uses as well


Doug

 

[Johnny B]

Read the replies above, they all offer great insight. I'm assuming your sport didn't come with 285's from the factory. But if that was an upgrade, it was a smart one. However, if those 285's work for you, and you're cool with how it handles and the gas mileage, why fix what ain't broke? Maybe you would best be suited by a different tire brand/model? I mean, you have a few real solid options with BFG's, Wildpeak, and Toyo to name just 3. If that's the thing, read reviews. Don't read just one site, read MANY sites, with different customers. Know what it is you're buying in to before buying into it. Hopefully you can come away from this with just a tire upgrade, no new wheels with a new offset, no regearing anything, no lift kits or leveling kits. Just some new sneakers and down the road with a smile. Good luck with this. Hope you walk away happier with your Jeep...

 

[j.stotts]

Read the replies above, they all offer great insight. I'm assuming your sport didn't come with 285's from the factory. But if that was an upgrade, it was a smart one. However, if those 285's work for you, and you're cool with how it handles and the gas mileage, why fix what ain't broke? Maybe you would best be suited by a different tire brand/model? I mean, you have a few real solid options with BFG's, Wildpeak, and Toyo to name just 3. If that's the thing, read reviews. Don't read just one site, read MANY sites, with different customers. Know what it is you're buying in to before buying into it. Hopefully you can come away from this with just a tire upgrade, no new wheels with a new offset, no regearing anything, no lift kits or leveling kits. Just some new sneakers and down the road with a smile. Good luck with this. Hope you walk away happier with your Jeep...

You are correct I changed out the stock tires for the 285/70s when I first purchased it.

Thanks everyone for your input, this will help me out when I’m ready to buy tires.

 

[LanceMagnum]

I've been doing some checking into options, I'll need some new treads in 10K miles or so and plan to go to 35's. BFG KO3's have been in the pipeline for awhile and I just noticed they finally have more sizes released that may be of interest to jeep owners:

 

[OP3NROAD]

I was in the same situation a month ago and decided to go Mickey Thompson 285's, best decision I made.

 

[Bill_BCNtoNY]

I've been doing some checking into options, I'll need some new treads in 10K miles or so and plan to go to 35's. BFG KO3's have been in the pipeline for awhile and I just noticed they finally have more sizes released that may be of interest to jeep owners:

wishing for some 255/85r17 cutters with the RWL, but I know it’s not in the plans.

I’m a sucker for the white lettering and the MT BB (which are the only ones in the market in that size) are only blackwall unfortunately!

 

[Husky Man]

I will second that Toyo are Great Tires.

I have the MT 285/75R/16’s on my 94 F-350 4x4 CC LB 7.3PS 5 speed. I think it’s on my second set of Spring-Fall tires, and I have a set of studded for the Winter, it was my DD before I bought the Jeep.

I like the Looks of the MT’s better than the ATIII’s, and no doubt they are Beasts in the Snow, and light off road use, but a Crew Cab Looooong Bed ain’t the best choice for off road, and that wasn’t it’s use, it has hauled many, Many, MANY Cords of firewood, 24’ travel trailer, 33’ travel trailer, even the 24’ tt, WITH the 6x12 tandem utility trailer behind it, it definitely worked harder after I bought it, than my Friend (original owner) Dennis ever worked it.

When I chose the tires for the Jeep, I used Toyo’s website to compare the MT’s, and the ATIII’s, the ATIII’s just simply beat the MT’s in every category, except Mud Traction.

The ATIII’s were rated higher in Fuel Economy, Treadlife, Roadnoise, Wet road, and Winter road conditions.

For the way I most often use the Jeep, the ATIII’s were just a better choice, as to the tire wear, Toyo rates the MT’s lower, but my uses are so different that I can’t fairly, compare them with my use, but I would definitely buy either model again, they have both held up, and performed beyond my expectations


Doug

 

[2nd 392]

I will second that Toyo are Great Tires.

I have the MT 285/75R/16’s on my 94 F-350 4x4 CC LB 7.3PS 5 speed. I think it’s on my second set of Spring-Fall tires, and I have a set of studded for the Winter, it was my DD before I bought the Jeep.

I like the Looks of the MT’s better than the ATIII’s, and no doubt they are Beasts in the Snow, and light off road use, but a Crew Cab Looooong Bed ain’t the best choice for off road, and that wasn’t it’s use, it has hauled many, Many, MANY Cords of firewood, 24’ travel trailer, 33’ travel trailer, even the 24’ tt, WITH the 6x12 tandem utility trailer behind it, it definitely worked harder after I bought it, than my Friend (original owner) Dennis ever worked it.

When I chose the tires for the Jeep, I used Toyo’s website to compare the MT’s, and the ATIII’s, the ATIII’s just simply beat the MT’s in every category, except Mud Traction.

The ATIII’s were rated higher in Fuel Economy, Treadlife, Roadnoise, Wet road, and Winter road conditions.

For the way I most often use the Jeep, the ATIII’s were just a better choice, as to the tire wear, Toyo rates the MT’s lower, but my uses are so different that I can’t fairly, compare them with my use, but I would definitely buy either model again, they have both held up, and performed beyond my expectations


Doug

Add typically light for size, 59 lb AT3 35/12.50’s were the lightest 3 peak I could find…. 315/70 KO2’s 5 lbs heavier, KO3’s 10.8 lbs heavier-
that’s 43.2 lbs of additional rotational mass and unsprung weight. (+AT3 .9 32’nds more tread depth, slightly larger-.1”)
they could use another lb or 2 of rubber on the sidewall though,
on balance very pleased

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