35x11.5R17 for Towing and Offroad??

[BlackDog]

I'm looking to size down from 35/12.5 to 35/11.5 and not finding a good option. Before I give up, I thought I'd check here and see if there were any suggestions I haven't considered.

I tow and I offroad, so I'm looking for a tire with an E load rating. The only two I've found in the 11.5 size with E load are Nitto Ridge Grapplers and Maxxis Razr AT. I've run Nitto's forever but want to move to something with better snow/ice traction. I've never heard of Maxxis although ratings and comments here don't seem bad.

Any other suggestions from those in the know?

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[Whiteoak323]

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T in 35X10 or 255/85R17. Both are E rated and I've heard nothing but great things from users. They are spendy though.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T in 35X10 or 255/85R17. Both are E rated and I've heard nothing but great things from users. They are spendy though.

That would have been my suggestion as well.

 

[Andy29847]

c = 2910 pounds (per tire)

e= 3970 pounds (per tire)

Gladiator rear axle rating = max gross = 6250 pounds

You are wasting your money.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I'm looking to size down from 35/12.5 to 35/11.5 and not finding a good option. Before I give up, I thought I'd check here and see if there were any suggestions I haven't considered.

I tow and I offroad, so I'm looking for a tire with an E load rating. The only two I've found in the 11.5 size with E load are Nitto Ridge Grapplers and Maxxis Razr AT. I've run Nitto's forever but want to move to something with better snow/ice traction. I've never heard of Maxxis although ratings and comments here don't seem bad.

Any other suggestions from those in the know?

Kenda makes a D rated 35x10.50 and Mickey Thompson makes a 255/85r17 E rated. (it measures 34 tho)

 

[Scott0700]

From a weight capacity you are 100% correct.
Towing is so much more stable with an E due to the stiffer sidewall.
Off-road, I’ve found the E is also more puncture resistant.
I think an E makes sense for his stated needs.

 

[OffAxis2021]

I have both Kenda Klever R/T 35x10.5x17 & Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T 255/85R17. Both are great tires.

If I had to choose only one, I would choose the Mickeys, simply because I prefer an A/T over an R/T and the narrower the better (IMO-for me).

I’d sell my 6 Kenda tires. 2 have 0 miles on them.

S.E. Michigan.

 

[BlackDog]

I have both Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T 255/85R17 and Kenda Klever R/T 35x10.5x17. Both are great tires.

If I had to choose only one, I would choose the Mickeys, simply because I prefer an A/T over an R/T and the narrower the better (IMO-for me).

I’d sell my 6 Kenda tires. 2 have 0 miles on them.

S.E. Michigan.

I'm curious, why do you prefer narrow tires?

 

[BlackDog]

I hadn't really considered a 10 or 10.5 tire. I'll have to think on that. While it would be good for my towing, might take a small hit when wheeling.

This is great, I'll look into both of those options! Thanks folks.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I hadn't really considered a 10 or 10.5 tire. I'll have to think on that. While it would be good for my towing, might take a small hit when wheeling.

This is great, I'll look into both of those options! Thanks folks.

Check with @Mightytalldude. He’s running the 10.5 wide Mickey at’s and says they’re amazing off road.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I'm curious, why do you prefer narrow tires?

thinner is actually more efficient and has better traction on most surfaces. which sounds counter intuitive if ya come from cars where wide is king for corner and launch grip. But trucks and wheeling, psi contact is the name of game and pizza cutters do it best.

 

[OffAxis2021]

I'm curious, why do you prefer narrow tires?

You’re probably looking for the short answer, but I have been down the wide(r) tire road in the past and have found that they (wide tires) are just not at all beneficial to me. It is all about the pounds per square inch. Narrow tires on snow covered Michigan roads are absolutely fantastic too! All terrain tire siping is key also.

Wider tires are really only better than narrow when in off-road deep sand/snow or in deep watery mud holes. Situations where flotation is beneficial/required.

WILDHOBO above meant 10” wide Mickeys.

This video is exactly why I made my choice. There is mention of why he would not run 12.5” wide on his daily.

 

[Mightytalldude]

This video was my deciding factor. 35" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT pizza cutters are amazing tires. Yes you would think it's counter intuitive with wide vs narrow for traction/flotation, but zero issues. I've done Moab, and a deep snow recovery with this new set, both times running about 12-15psi, and they are very grippy. Does it have the big tire poke? Nope. Do they still look awesome? Yep!

 

[PuddleJumper]

This guy is my go to for technical explanations. He has a lot of really good unbiased write ups. a lot of his content is toyotas but a good bit is universal.

 

[Dakarra]

There are so many variables and combinations of tires/gears/load that suggesting "the best" option is a little bit like choosing tennis shoes - there is something for everyone and it is going to come down to what is most comfortable for YOU. I tow a teardrop behind my JT Willys, 3.6 gas, 4.88 gears, 315/70R17 BFG KO2s. Is that the "best" setup? That combo works well for ME for what I do, but there are lots of situations where my KO2s in that size might not be the best answer - one needs to consider all that when making a choice. Few of us can afford to have alternate sets of tires to put on for different scenarios, so think about what you do MOST, and then select something that best fits that. Oh, and PS - aesthetics are a factor, too - Allow yourself to indulge the "and it looks cool, too" angle - but only to a point; don't spend $$ on upgrades to impress people at the traffic light that you don't know and will never meet. Just M.H.O. Good Luck.

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