285 vs 295 on the Z71

[88lance]

2002 Tahoe Z71, aftermarket keys to bring the front to level, otherwise everything else is stock.

The current tires are just the factory size, and highway tread. I would like something a bit more aggressive and larger

I went shopping at the tire stores today and they pretty much sold me on the 285/70R17.

It's an ok looking tread, (Master Courser Trail HD) i guess I'll see it when they arrive tomorrow. Was trying to stay under $1,200, so there wasnt a ton of options.

After browsing tonight, I'm really liking the way the 295/70R17s look on these. They seem to have a bit more width and look a bit beefier.

It seems like the only ones in this size are mud terrain, or very aggressive tread, so I am not sure if they will be too loud. The sizes are pretty similar, so I assume there won't be much difference in mileage or power loss between the two?

Should I jump to a more aggressive tread at 295 and spend a bit more, or is the 285 more ideal for some reason or another?

Maybe somebody can help me decide haha

 

[dps01]

FWIW; BFG K02 285/70R17 on 2003 Z71 leveled w/stock keys. Road noise is not bothersome (to me). Installed 4th set last year.



Comparisons of your two sizes..

 

[88lance]

FWIW; BFG K02 285/70R17 on 2003 Z71 leveled w/stock keys. Road noise is not bothersome (to me). Installed 4th set last year.
View attachment 426195


Comparisons of your two sizes..
View attachment 426194

Those do fit nicely. If I stick with the 285, I may at least try to get K02's, I think the tread looks a bit more aggressive

 

[dps01]

Always have had good experience with BFG; rotate and balance every 5K miles.

 

[88lance]

Always have had good experience with BFG; rotate and balance every 5K miles.

I went with the 285, it does look nice. These are the Mastercraft Courser Trail HD's.
I may be glad I didn't go bigger, I can already feel the weight difference when it comes to accelerating. Haha. I'll be curious to see how much my gas mileage changed.

 

[project_x]

I have had both 285 and 295.. and I found the fitting on my leveled 2005 Suburban, the 285 was perfect, while 295 just had a little rub even at full crank

 

[Burban22]

I’ve had both 285/70/17 and 295/70/17. I prefer 285 over 295 for look, and a tad better performance but they are close in size 32.7” vs 33.3” of course 295 are wider as well.

Found a good deal on some oem 17” snow flakes and 295/70/17 BFG K02. Wheels are a little beat up but price was right. I added some black wheel caps and lug nuts. I think it looks pretty good! I did a torsion key lift in the front and 1.5” coil spacer in the rear.

 

[Burban22]

FYI - if running 295/70/17 on stock wheels you’ll have to trim some rear fender liner where it sticks out around the top shock bolt. Also had to turn around the shock bolt so the nut faces inside as the tire is super close to the shock tower.

I didn’t have this problem with 285/70/17