Just bought 2019 Z71... stance & tire size seems odd

[shock]

Just bought a 2019 LT Z71. Previously owned a 2004 Suburban LS 2WD.

I was thinking a leveling of the front and a slightly taller tire. Not trying to get into the pizza cutter zone necessarily, but the 265/65 tires look oddly low profile on the 18” wheel. What was GM thinking with a Z71?!

I would normally default to the BFG KO2, but they seem only available in load range E for the most part, which seems stiff for a Tahoe.

Any advice on a slightly taller tire for this thing? Looking for a balance of road manners, snow-ability, and not tearing them apart on jagged rocks on the occasional mild trail.

 

[hcvone]

That was the stock size of the tires on the 2007-2014 Escalade's if you got the 18" wheel option, it's the same basic outside diameter as the 285/45/22's I used stock chrome 18" Escalade wheels for my DuraTrac and my Blizzak's for the winter, and switched back to the 22"s for the nice months

 

[shock]

The 275/65/18 looks good there. Any noticeable affect in handling going from 265 to 275?

 

[hcvone]

The 275/65/18 looks good there. Any noticeable affect in handling going from 265 to 275?

None at all, but these tires need snow or mud or the ride is rough, but for off road these are the best

 

[Tiki]

275/70R18

285/65R18


Pick you poison!

 

[Jeff_]

View attachment 267862
275/70R18

View attachment 267864
285/65R18


Pick you poison!

Very nice. What level amount?
I just purchased some Bilstein 5100s and I'm curious what size tire I can fit with the front up.

 

[Tiki]

Top is mine with Bilsteins set on the second ring (1.25” I believe). The second picture I believe is a 2” lift.

 

[Jeff_]

Appreciate it, thank you for the reply

 

[2591tdj]

Mine came with the same small looking 18” wheels. I wonder if GM thought the additional sidewall would provide more cushioning when bumping around off road? But, does anyone really use their Tahoe over rocky or rutted off road terrain?

 

[shock]

Yes, I believe that's the rational for installing 18s on the Z71.
I do intend to take it off road in the most basic definition--not trying to get into Wrangler Rubicon on 35s kind of capability, but maybe Subaru (with the right tires) territory. Sidewalls aren't my greatest concern, but I still plan to stick with the 18s. I test drove an LTZ with 22s and did not care for the way that drove--I looked around the lot for a Corvette running AT tires thinking maybe they had swapped them.


Any thoughts on the load range? I'm thinking I won't care for a load range E tire on the road but that limits the AT tire choices for sure.

 

[2591tdj]

I’ve run only Michelin LTX AT2s on my last 2 Z-71s and have been totally pleased with them. They’re not real aggressive. They do okay in mud and snow, give a good highway ride and each set has lasted at least 60k miles. I’ve mostly run the P series (1,150 load cap.). The LT series has a little higher load rating and deeper tread, I believe.

Tire preferences are like anything else. Everyone has their own favorite and can give you their pros and cons.

 

[shock]

For sure everyone certainly has preferences--I hear that.

I had the Michelin LTX AT2s in load range E on my 2015 Silverado Z71. My 2019 Silverado non-Z71 (Z85?) has Goodyear Wrangler highway-flavor-something-or-other in load range E. I def liked the LTX AT2 much better than these Wrangler things. The Wranglers feel like I'm driving on Fred Flintstone stone wheels. My only complaint about the LTX AT2s was taking off from a stop on anything wet--just water felt like I was on ice, requiring 4WD to pull out in traffic during rain. Once on the tiniest bit of icy pavement with the LTX AT2, I let off the brake in gear with no throttle and the truck didn't move. I looked back and the wheels were turning with the truck sitting in place.

I'll probably go to LTX M/S2 tires on the Silverado as I tend to use it more on the highway. And given that, I was hoping to go with something a little more offroad and snow worthy for the Tahoe.

I feel like there are 1000 options on the Tahoe and they all give me hesitation one way or another.

 

[STORMIN08]

in all, the E load, D load isnt all that important...you CAN get high weight rating D load tires. the E or D typically is quick indicator of side wall construction. if you USE it offroad, go with a D allowing more flex, more cushion and the ability to air down and get a better foot print.

 

[shock]

Agreed... makes sense.

It seems all things are leading me to 275/65/18 Duratracs.

I know load index and load range aren't the EXACT same measure. But it seems this is the loose correlation indicated on tiresize.com's inflation calculator:
C = 110-113
D = 114-117
E = 120-123

The OEMs are load index 114. Tirebuyer.com recommends various tires ranging from 112-116 (though they don't sell Duratracs from what I see). There is a Duratrac load index C/113 option and a D/116 option. Tirerack.com chat originally recommended the D/116 option but I hadn't even seen the C/113 at that point in time.

Any thoughts on C/113 vs D/116?

(I understand there could be an effect on load carrying capacities when going to a lower load index, but I can't imagine any scenario where moving from the OEM 114 to 113 would be any sort of limiter in my use of this vehicle. I would use my Silverado with load range E for any moderate to heavy hauling/towing.)

 

[STORMIN08]

personally, i would avoid the C-113, the c rating in my opinion if for the lighter crossover, truck market, not the 1/2 ton and up platforms.

go with a D load index and if needed, a lower psi gives better ride with out the sidewall wiggle

remember, the C,D E, F rating is also a decent indicator of plys for construction

 

[akbrener]

275/65/18 duratracs (32.25") and a 2" Rough Country front level and MOOG HD rear springs. I got a great deal on the take-offs, duratracs are way more tire than needed and will probably go with a decent AT when these ever wear off ( 18/32" brand new). Also the duratracs seem to have a narrow tread patch compared to the 275/55/20s I have on my 2008 tahoe.