Clearance on 285/75 r18

I was curious about clearance I'd get with a level and 34.8" tires, to manage trails at Moab or similar places. After installing 5100's at middle setting and a set of Wildpeak AT3 285/75r18's, I had more than 11" under the rear diff, center skid/anti-cat theft plate, and step brackets. Step brackets are the lowest point, and if my sliders came sooner, they wouldn't be an issue. Took the Willow Springs trail to Eye of the Whale at Moab today, and only scraped those steps twice (minor, so far...), otherwise, the truck handled wonderfully.

 

Nice, I'm planning to get the same size Toyo AT3's.

 

Saw the Toyo's were very similar to the Wildpeaks. What's your deciding factor - price, availability, other?

 

Running same size in Yoko GO15 E with a 3" lift/SPC UCA and +30 OS can't complain!

 

Got into some more trails in Capital Reef and Arches. This was Cathedral Valley loop, which had a river ford (13 inches deep today), and a few small steps - nothing these trucks can't handle.

 

My favorite tire on these trucks.

 

Love em

 

I know you weren't asking me, and I have no real comparison between the two, but extensive research has me wanting Toyos. If they had the size I want, I would use Firestone Destination X/T.
But, most love what they have. so...

 

Ha, yeah, my "research" involves running a set of tires for 50k or more miles.

 

I’m planning on going to this size next set of tires, likely either Duratracs or Maxxis Razr ATs.

 

I would have gone with the Duratracs, if they were in stock. Was told they're changing to a new version.

 

Where did you hear this? I really like mine. You gotta rotate them religiously, though. I stick to 3k miles.

 

I run the Geolandar X-AT. That size only comes in e-rated. I would NOT buy them again. Slightly smaller in C range will provide more flex and thus traction which nets you more capability than an extra ½” of axle clearance.

Only benefit of 285/75/18 is no CMC is required and it’s basically a 35.

 

E range should have better sidewalls for airing down, too. I take my DTs down to 22-25psi, as they seem to have softer sidewalls than typical E range tires. My old Nitto G2s on my 4runner were happy at 18psi.

And yeah, 285/75R18s are 35s that don't require trimming or a CMC.

 

From Discount Tire, when I tried ordering them first week of March.

 

Air them down all you want, E rated sidewalls are stiffer and you don't get the flex like you do on C. Like for like, all things equal, C tires at 20 PSI will have far better flex and traction than E at 20 psi. Can you air E's down more because of the stiff ass sidewalls? Yes but that's not a good thing for traction. All that means is you aren't getting any flex at a reasonable PSI that will keep your tire bead set.

 

Do C's/fewer ply tires run in the taller sizes?

 

This does not match my experience at all. I have fantastic traction with more durable sidewalls all while floating over terrain as if I’m riding on marshmallows, and I’m not operating anywhere near pressures low enough to lose a bead. Or maybe I’ve just been lucky all these years lol. I prefer Es for off-roading exactly for the tougher sidewall. I get amazing off-road traction out of my Duratracs, even on my giant fat Tundra. Never lost a bead, never wished my sidewalls had more flex, never blew out a sidewall on a sharp rock, and never had too little traction anywhere from TN to SW CO. The Es deform over big rocks just fine and are tough as you can ask a tire to be.

I’m keeping two sets of tires/wheels, and these days I run the stock Michelins until we take a dispersed camping trip. Then the 285/75s get swapped on.

 

It might just come down to driving skills, whatever tire you run. I pulled a Jeep Cherokee out of 1 1/2 feet of slush and mud on a mountain road (gratuitous pic of the mountain below). Was it my Wildpeaks that easily pulled that car out of the muck? The Jeep had nearly bald street tires. Was that driver a pro to make it that far through the mountain road? Might just come down to experience and common sense?

All that logic goes out the window when I'm researching upgrades.

 

Adding a 2 inch taller tire only provides an extra 1 inch of clearance for the truck. The smart thing to do is get a wheel on the obstacle, which is where there is a decided advantage to the solid axles.

Better to learn how to drive trails with the truck and improve your knowledge and skill. There are offroad driving courses available and a good investment if you plan to spend time off the pavement. I was hired to photograph such a class by the Hummer people and it was at an off road recreation area with an obstacle course that increased in difficulty at each stage. After watching all the Hummer drivers struggle on the very last obstacle section I saw a fellow with a stock Suzuki Brat go through the same section at much higher speed and with no issues. The short wheelbase of the Suzuki and the skill of the driver made all the difference in the world.