ML500 off road tires
 

I posted the following in the wheel and tire section and did not get much of a response:

I just returned from two weeks of off roading in Death Valley with my 2003 ML500. I destroyed two tires in two weeks. The tires were Dunlap 275/55 R17. Both tires had holes in the tread caused by rock impacts probably from going 30 to 50 mph on warshboard roads something I have been doing for years in other vehicles using light truck tires. The Dunlaps just do not have thick enough tread or sidewalls for this kind of use. I like them on the pavement in rain, snow or ice and I hate to give up on the VR rating, but this was a very bad experience. I had to plug them on a Desert dirt road 50 miles from the pavement, and then drive slowly to Las Vegas (the nearest place to get replacements). My thought is to buy new wheels and tires for off roading. What would be a good choice for LT tires and wheels. A little extra clearance would be nice, but I do not want to lose any turning radius or have a rubbing problem. I also am concerned about warrenty problems problems, and any chassis or safety problems. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

Bob

I am also wondering what effect a larger diameter tire would have on the Navigation System, ABS system and the ESP system. I am hoping that some off roaders in this section will have some information. Thank you.

Bob

tires
 

I've been off-roading my ML for years. You definitely need LT rated tires. My suggestion is BFG AT/KO 276/70/17
You gain about an inch to inch and a half. Plus you can crank up your torsion bars to get another inch of clearance. The combination gives you 12 inches of clearance, which is as much or more than the Toureg, Cayenne, RR, Disco, etc. I've been driving like this for years with no ill effects. Dealer has not had any issues as far as warranty. Your speedo will be off by about 7.5%.

check out all the pics at www.deckowski.com

Nice collection! :cool:


http://www.deckowski.com/anza2/images/IMG_0301.jpg

Thanks for your reply. Sorry to be so slow in my reply. I was on a business trip. At the BFG URL I only see two AT/KOs in the 17 inch size: 265/70/R17 and 285/70/R17. The 265 is a C tire with diameter 31.8 inches and the 285 is a D tire with diameter 32.8. I would like the 285, but am a little woried about the 3.7 inch increase in dia. and one centimeter increase in width over the OEM tires. My current plan is to buy five OEM wheels and mount one of the two above tires on them. Then I will be able to change the wheels when I am going off roading. and will still be able to have the VR rated tires for hiway use. I am also going to buy a receiver mounted spare tire holder for off roading. What do you think of the two available BFGs?

Bob

My 265/70 will rub just slightly under full steering lock and while the truck is off canter. With the 285s I think you run a greater risk of rubbing. The 265 are easily doable and don't pose and real risk to anything underneath. I'm not sure about the 285s.

Thanks for the reply. Based on your experience I will go with the 265/70s. What pressure do you run off road? I was thinking of using about 20 psi.

Bob

Usually 15, but 20 would probably work.