To 315 or not 315

[MickMc]

I ask myself this question as my car isn't parked comfortably on a platform cruising behind my Silverado. It's acutally on the pavement tires going round and round. Thus, with everything on the roads today, and you put enough miles on your car, then eventually you will have that experience.

Yeah, I ask myself questions such as this. I'm not blessed to have such nice tracks in my back yard. If I take my car somewhere it usually involves from 100 - 300 mile trip one-way.

Believe me, in my mind, that 335 or 315 isn't gonna look as kewl flat on the back of my car if I can't get a replacement tire out in the middle of BFE.

If I only had to drive 50 mile and a phone call could get me a replacement tire in an hour, then go for it.

My intentions aren't meant as a flame, just an explaination of my way of thinking. Call it practicality over extreme if you want. I like driving my car and having "replacable" parts on it if needed miles away from home.

I totally understand the replacement thing. And I agree.

I live in New Mexico and even the replacement Potenza's for my Impala are hard to find.
And we have to drive at least 400 miles for a cool event too.

Let me use an extreme example.
I have 39 Boggers on my truck, and that truck has been everywhere, and I know there is no way I'm going to find a replacement for that tire on some trip to the middle of nowhere, but I still have Boggers and I still drive the truck.
Yes, a spare that will get me down the road is helpful, a spare 39 TSL Bogger is huge, so a very narrow just as tall spare is needed.
Fix-a-flat, onboard air, bead breakers, all much eaiser to carry in an 8ft bed, than the trunk of car.

Yes, the more time you spend on the road the more likely you are to have a problem, but don't let that deter you.

I remember when Scott Sullivan and Jeff Smith drove across country in Scott's 55, (Cheese Whiz) huge Mickey's out back and Motor Fly wheels. I thought he was crazy, what if he has a problem.
He did have a couple of problems, and a few friends and some tools in the trunk and a phone call or two.
Eventfull yes, overcome-able yes.
And I will claim thats what started the Power Tour.
Jeff will never cliam that though.


OK extreme is MUCH more difficult to pull-off.
A prius is very easy to pull-off.

You will find the perfect balance between the two, and most likely you will step back and say I could have gone just a little bit further.

My buddy makes the same trips as I do on 44 boggers, dam I hate him.
But I break fewer Dana 60 axles, na na.
Nobody has replacement axles in stock...
I once drove home in front wheel drive for 370 miles after fishing out out the broken axles parts. Extra capacity diff covers, gear oil eveywhere that needed to be reused, how to remove a broken axle in the outback and miles from home. Front wheel drive and 40 inch Hawgs (at the time), that will keep your hands glued to the steering wheel at 50 miles an hour.

How about a 4 L60E with two gears, no overdrive and 470 miles from home. Do you drive it and risk it exploding or cross your fingers and head home...


Mick

PS. new GTO's have a very small spare that clears big brakes, try evil bay...

[zman1969]

285's on the left. I had 275's on the back of my car for a fews yrs and a taller tire would fill the wheel well nicer. I didn't realize how much bigger the 285's were over 275's but I hope they fit.

that really doesn't look right there should be only 1 cm difference in width that's how they're sized but by mm - seems silly mfrs cant measure their own tires right! a 275 should be a 275 by no matter what the brand but they are not.