Tire stability on narrow tires

[H - 2 CHARLIE]

Lower to 34 -35 psi and you will have more tire contact. If the Lower psi don't help have the alignment checked. I like your tires .

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[Zen89]

What I’m about to say is sacrilege:
KO2‘s on my Tacoma were the worst. No kidding.

I've had ko2’s in the past. I didn’t love them and they seemed to run on the small side too, so I swapped them for ridgegrapplers. But in this size and lower weights, it’s really only ko2 or the Toyo at3. Hence why I’m trying these toyos out.

Guess I’ll air them down a bit and get my alignment this weekend and see what happens. I just wanted to see if the narrower tire could be an issue so I can try and exchange them for a 285 before I paid for an alignment.

 

[kodiakisland]

What I’m about to say is sacrilege:
KO2‘s on my Tacoma were the worst. No kidding.

Taste in tires are like taste in women (or men).
I gave up on BFGs years ago when I couldn’t keep them in balance and have never missed them. A lot of people love them so they do offer something.

 

[kodiakisland]

What he said.

1. Alignment. Doesn't matter if it tracks straight or not.
2. Lower your air pressure. Higher load rating tires (like D / E) are rated at certain LBS of weight for each tire based on a certain PSI

Find a Load D tire PSI chart and go from there. I can tell you there is NO WAY you need 40psi in those tires.

Our '22 dr BB got 17x8.5" (0 Offset) wheels and 315/70/17 Load E tires the day we picked it up from the dealer. (Zero lift / spacers BTW - removed crash bars. No run / scrub lock to lock even under flex).

I did the math (Load E tires / actual weight of the Bronco etc) and got a starting point. I run 'em at 32 psi and it's rock solid stable to 80mph.

You want to know why so many people add bigger LT tires to trucks / SUVs and then gripe about how "harsh" the ride it? Because they have way too much air in them.

Recommended PSI for your tires is based on the LOAD Range / Size of the tire and Gross Vehicle Weight.

I can almost GUARANTEE you that if you lowered your air pressure to 34-35psi it would ride / handle better.

I remember buying an older Miata for almost NOTHING. Kid says his Dad said the suspension was totally worn out and needed replacing and it had a blown head gasket. Got it for $150 ($50 more than the junk car guy was offering him). It was a cut radiator hose. (yes I'm serious) and it had BRAND NEW Michelin tires on it that were aired up to 40psi. That thing jumped around on the road like it was trying to wreck.

Recommend tire psi for that car (remember it's based on WEIGHT) was 26psi. Aired 'em down, replaced the radiator hose and ran the hell out of that car (like a go cart) and sold it for a nice profit a month later.

I don't even run 40PSI in my F150 with Load E when towing my tractor / equipment trailer.

Here’s the chart. https://www.toyotires.com/media/pxcjubjs/application_of_load_inflation_tables_20200723.pdf
You need 1.5X your weight rating for safe highway use.
I run 30PSI in my skinny Toyos and have no problems at 80 mph+, although most of my miles come under 60mph. I air up to 36psi when I’m fully loaded(top, doors, 3 people, all our gear, etc), which is rare.

 

[mcinfantry]

I went with 35x10.5 Kenda RTs and have no issues at 40psi.

As far as tire pressure, anytime I change wheels, tires, or normal payload; I will ignore the factory suggestions.

I like to do the chalk test, where you use sidewalk chalk and clean concrete to get a clear indication of how the tread is contacting the pavement. If the tread pattern on the concrete is lighter on the outside than the center of the tread, you're overinflated.

That’s the tire I’m really leaning towards

 

[BroncoAZ]

I run 285/75R17 C rated Toyo OCAT3 at 36 psi on a 17x8.5 Method wheel with +35mm offset. Mine drives just like stock with the 285/70 BFG’s. I haven’t added the leveling kit yet, but my next stop will be the alignment shop.

I’m pleased with the tires, but they do have a slight hum at 70 mph. I’m hoping that goes away as they break in.

 

[Zen89]

I actually just double checked my PSi and it's 37. It's quite a bit of tire float/tread squirm at anything above 65mph.

 

[NurseDan]

I’d think you having a lot more sidewall than stock could possible cause some of that feeling as well

 

[mcinfantry]

I actually just double checked my PSi and it's 37. It's quite a bit of tire float/tread squirm at anything above 65mph.

Chalk test
That’s what I would try

 

[prospectfour]

I read the Toyo AT3 was a pretty good tire. I use to run Nitto Ridgegrapplers. Should i have went KO2 instead?

Is there a reason you went with D Load tires? I have the P rated 275/65R18 on my OBX and they’ve run great for 3k miles. I would check your inflation level to see how it impacts the highway ride. You made a pretty significant change from stock so maybe it will take some getting used to.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Chalk test
That’s what I would try

Agreed. I only run 32-34 psi in my D rated 35s.

 

[Zen89]

Is there a reason you went with D Load tires? I have the P rated 275/65R18 on my OBX and they’ve run great for 3k miles. I would check your inflation level to see how it impacts the highway ride. You made a pretty significant change from stock so maybe it will take some getting used to.

the two sizes I was considering were 285/75/17 C load, and these 34x10.5” D load. I went with the 34x10.5 because they were 5 lbs lighter per tire. 2 weeks ago, gas was $7 a gallon, so wanted to save some unsprung weight.

 

[hemiblas]

When I lifted my Ranger it felt a little squirrely as well until I got it aligned. I'm pretty sure that is your problem. An ifs lift affects camber, the wheels will lean in or out, which means you dont have the full tire on the ground.

Pretty sure it also makes it toe in which would make it squirrely as well.

 

[BroncoAZ]

What I’m about to say is sacrilege:
KO2‘s on my Tacoma were the worst. No kidding.

If a newer Tacoma with the 16” wheels I think the BFG’s are only available in E load rating, no surprise that they rode poorly on a light truck. I was looking for a 265/75R16 for my Taco last year, e rated only for BFG.

 

[AK SNO RIDER]

You could always try putting your other tires back on and narrow it down to either lift/alignment or tires.

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