boogaloo
Houston, TX
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Joined: 05/19/2008
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Just bought a 2000 Jeep Wrangler 4x4 Automatic transmission to use as a toad. It has only 14,000 original miles on it, but the tires were dry rotted and need to be replaced. They are the original 215/R75/15. I want to buy the largest size radial I can put on this rim and will drive it 80% on highway and 20% on gravel roads and dirt trails.
I am looking at 3-4 brands of tires right now and would like to get the opinions of some other RV'ers who use Wranglers as a toad. Does anyone have a strong recommendation for brand, model and size of tire for the Wrangler toad?
Also, do the tires develop unusual wear when on a toad? Do they wear prematurely or need to be rotated more ofter when being towed? Is there anything else I should know? This is our first toad and our first Jeep. (We like it so far).
Boogaloo in Houston
'97 Holiday Rambler Navigator 40DP
Cummins 8.3 325hp with 3060 Allison 6spd
2000 Wrangler Sport 4x4 Auto 4.0L
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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Go to Les Schwab or TireRama (or any other tire shop of your choice) and discuss your wants and needs with the folks there. They should be able to point you to just the tire that will do what you want, and fit your stock Jeep wheels.
There should be no unusual tire wear from towing, IF your front end alignment is correct. When you have your new tires mounted and balanced, have the alignment checked and corrected if needed. If possible, have a 4 wheel alignment done. Be sure to tell the alignment tech that you will be towing four down. He may want to add just a smidgen of caster to help the wheels self-center. Then again, maybe not. He is the expert, let him advise you.
If you install larger tires, you may want to look at getting a new, heavy duty steering stabilizer (shimmy dampener). The stock units are pretty wimpy, and often can't handle the added weight of larger tires. Get the Monroe shimmy dampener for the Jeep Rubicon. It should fit, and you will have NO front end shimmy problems!
Enjoy your Jeep. Be careful, it will go places you really have no business being (but it is SO much fun to get there! And back.) Remember, Tread Lightly!
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
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wilanddij
CA Desert
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Joined: 08/10/2004
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I have 10.5x31R15's on mine with a set of positive offset wheels. These fit the TJ just fine without the need for any suspension lift, and keep it up out of the slipstream so I've never had a rock hit while towing. Stick with a major brand tire and you should have no problems. Costco sells a BFG trail tire in this size.
Will & Di
2004 Southwind 32VS
Workhorse/8.1
Jeep Wrangler/Blue Ox
"We have met the enemy, and he is us" Pogo
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Joined: 02/19/2004
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JMHO, but a good stiff side wall tire would be my only choice. Would not put on a passanger car radial.
DeWayne & Judy
04 3810 Dutch Star
ISL 370
Frank's autoformer
01 Sahara Jeep-toad
F 374382
It is hard to kiss the lips at night, that has chewed your butt all day long!
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bacollins
Lawrenceburg, IN
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Joined: 11/21/2004
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I have had very good service on both my Jeeps from Liberator A/T tires from Wally World. The OEM Goodyears were junk.
'92 Itasca Sunflyer P series Chevy
'99 Wrangler Toad
'99 Cherokee Toad
'00 Yamaha WR 400
'05 KTM 450 EXC
'92 Honda 750 Nighthawk
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mnoeltne
Grantsville, UT
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Joined: 03/03/2006
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I would recommend visiting http://www.jeepforum.com and go to the Wrangler section for advise on the largest size you can run without adding a lift kit.
On my Cherokee I went to a 235/75-15 from the stock size of 225/75-15. I could have gone larger, but I just wanted the better selection of actual off road tires that the 235 size gave me.
Personally, I like the BF Goodrich All Terrain.
Mark & Joyce Noeltner along with Chico & Cricket the Chihuahuas
2005 Fleetwood Fiesta 26Y
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport
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chris85am
Fleetwood, Pa
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Joined: 10/11/2003
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On the TJ Wranglers you can fit up to a 31" tire, but you may have some rubbing at full steering wheel lock. While off-roading you will have some rubbing when flexing the suspension.
2004 Coachman Leprechaun 317KS
2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Blue Ox towbar & baseplate, Brake Buddy
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Shepherd_lover
Left Coast USA
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Joined: 08/16/2007
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mnoeltne wrote:Personally, I like the BF Goodrich All Terrain.
Yep, I'll second that. Great tires for a multi purpose wrangler or cherokee.
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Hikerdogs
Wisconsin
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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We just installed a set Of Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor 30X9.50R15LT tires on our 04 Wrangler. The originals lasted about 35,000 miles but started to wear funny due to a rear axle alignment problem.
We only have about 2,000 miles on the new tires but so far all is well. There's no rubbing in the wheel wells on full turns. I like the reinforced sidewalls for off roading but haven't had a chance to try them out on the trails yet.
Hikerdogs
2001 Winnebago Adventurer
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ramzfam
Appomattox, Va
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Joined: 01/08/2007
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Shepherd_lover wrote:mnoeltne wrote:Personally, I like the BF Goodrich All Terrain.
Yep, I'll second that. Great tires for a multi purpose wrangler or cherokee.
They get my vote as well. 30x9.50R15 is the biggest tire the factory reccommends for a 2000 Wrangler without offset wheels, adjustment of the steering stops, a lift kit, or some combination of the above.
Have RV....Will Travel  
2007 Forest River Sunseeker 2860 LTD
2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
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