The rubber ages before the tire wears out, mine are 5 years old. And

No steering issues.>

All in all the LTX's are a good investment.>

Cheers>

"STOVEBOLT" <stovebolt@charter.­net> wrote in message

My 2000 Short bed Z71 is finally ready to retire the Firestone>Wildernes­s 265-75x16 tries. Sams Club has Michelin X LT>285-75x16 tires for only $20 more for the set of 4. I know the>wider tire will look better and it will alter my speedometer>calibra­tion slightly(they're 1in. taller). My concern is, I think>that I saw a comment on this group that the steering was>more difficult. Please share your insight and I will make>a more informed decision in my purchase.>STOVEBOLT­

On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 19:04:20 -0400, STOVEBOLT <stovebolt@charter.­net>> wrote:>

­Actually, according to the numbers you give the tires aren't the same width. >:|The 285's are 20mm (about .8 inch) wider at the tread than the 265's. The >:|telling number is the aspect ratio. For example, if you are running >:|285/75's then the tread width is 285mm and the sidewall height is 75% of the >:|tread width (or 214mm). If you are running 285/65's then the sidewall >:|height is 65% of the tread width (or 179mm).

Actually, according to the numbers you give the tires aren't the same width. >The 285's are 20mm (about .8 inch) wider at the tread than the 265's. The >telling number is the aspect ratio. For example, if you are running >285/75's then the tread width is 285mm and the sidewall height is 75% of the >tread width (or 214mm). If you are running 285/65's then the sidewall >height is 65% of the tread width (or 179mm).>

Another interesting point is that if a new tire is 1" taller than the old >tire, then the height above ground at the center of the axle is only 1/2" >(not taking into account the "squish" at the bottom of the tire).>

A lot of things affect steering difficulty - footprint (how much tread is in >contact with the ground), distance between the tires, and rolling >resistance. If you're using the same rims then I don't think any change in >turning difficulty will be very noticable, and you probably won't be >changing your turning radius by more than a foot or two at worst. Also >check with each manufacturer and see how many revolutions per mile each tire >is listed for. The difference will give you some idea just how much your >speedometer will be off. For example, if your old tires are listed at 450 >revolutions per mile and the new tires are listed at 475 revolutions per >mile, then your speedo will be off by roughly 5% slower.>

One thing that has been mentioned here and elsewhere when changing tire >sizes is now your ABS won't work the same (may activate earlier). That is >one reason why you should consider taking your truck to the dealer and have >him reset your computer to the new tire size after you get them installed. >If they're not busy, it should only take about 15 minutes total and if >you've got a good relationship with them they might not even charge you for >it.>

Cheers - Jonathan>

"STOVEBOLT" <stovebolt@charter.­net> wrote in message >news:7i76519h0l6a9­m9fkn3qrc73jpgd8rf1h­k@4ax.com...>> Gentelmen,>> Thank you very much for the constructive comments. I had Sams to put>> the set of Micheline 285s on this afternoon. I am glad that I>> replaced the Firestone 265s with the Micheline 285s. The measuring>> tape says that both of them are the same width although the Michelins>> are one inch taller.>> STOVEBOLT (1930s nickname for Chevrolet)>>

almost, but not quite... the 265/285 is the SECTION width, (i.e. the> width of the tire at it's widest point, usually 1/2 way down the trad> wall), not the tread width. I've seen Dakota A/T tires in the same> size as my BFG AT/KO's and their tread width is much smaller than my> tires.>

-Bret