If you’re on this page, you’re probably trying to choose the right heavy-duty tire for your vehicle. Both 295 70r17 and 285 75r17 are among the best tires for off-roading, thanks to their robust build.
Their design allows these tires to handle long rides and rough terrains easily. Besides off-roaders, the two tires are also great options for jeeps and heavy-duty trucks in general.
295 70r17 vs 285 75r17: The differences
Both these tires are large and designed for heavy-duty performance. Neither of the two is meant for regular rides on city roads, which is why you may not see them often.
Regardless, they are quite popular among those who love off-roading. When it comes to getting a new set of tires for your off-road vehicle, SUV, or heavy-duty truck, 295 70r17 and 285 75r17 are both great choices.
Comparing two tires is easy – you must read their index numbers (in this case, 295 70r17 and 285 75r17). As you might notice, the index number has four segments, each one representing a parameter of the tire’s specifications.
In the first part of the index number, you get the tire’s width (in millimeters), with the aspect ratio following up next. The letter after the aspect ratio stands for the construction style of the tire. The two digits at the end denotes the diameter of the rim, in inches.
Now that you can read a tire’s specifications from its index number, you can see that the two tires differ in terms of both width and aspect ratio. Let’s evaluate the specs of both tires in detail to check how much they differ from each other and which one would be the right choice for your car.
1. Width
Starting with the width, we can see that 295 70r17 is significantly wider than 285 75r17. The width of a tire is one of the most important factors determining its traction, as a wider tire has a larger surface area touching the road.
This is why, one of the best things about 295 70r17 is its width – it has a width of 295mm, which is 10mm wider than a 285 75r17. Besides the enhanced lateral grip, wider tires offer better braking performance.
However, you should also note that wider tires also have certain disadvantages. While a greater surface area allows more traction, it also makes the vehicle harder to steer.
Moreover, while wider tires deliver more traction in regular conditions, narrower tires are better for driving on snowy roads. By concentrating the weight of the vehicle to a smaller surface, a narrower tire can bite into the snow better.
2. Aspect ratio
While the 295 70r17 has a higher width, 285 75r17 beats it with a higher aspect ratio. This is the tire’s sidewall height to overall width ratio. Hence, a higher aspect ratio with unchanged width means a taller sidewall height. In this case, 295 70r17 and 285 75r17 have a sidewall height of 8.13 mm and 8.42 mm respectively.
So, is a bigger aspect ratio good or bad? A bit of both. As 285 75r17 has a taller sidewall height, it offers greater ride comfort. The additional sidewall height contributes to the suspension of the vehicle by absorbing shocks. However, a tire with a smaller sidewall delivers better lateral stability and handles the cornering forces better, offering better handling.
3. Construction type
As mentioned earlier, the letter r in the index numbers of the two tires represents their construction type, i.e., radial construction. Among the two common construction types, cross-ply and radial, r stands for the latter.
The radial construction style involves arranging the tire’s wires at a 90-degree angle to the wheel’s centerline. On the other hand, a cross-ply tire would have diagonally crisscrossing wires placed at a 45-degree angle to the center line.
Unlike cross-ply tires, radial tires don’t need an inner tube and are hence more flexible. Apart from durability, radial tires are better in pretty much every aspect.
They generate less heat, absorb shocks better, and are more resistant to heat and water damage. Hence, it’s good that both 295 70r17 and 285 75r17 are radial tires.
4. Rim diameter
Rim diameter is an important parameter to consider when choosing your tires, as it largely impacts a tire’s compatibility with different wheel sizes.
Poor tire fitting is a problem that you’d want to avoid at all costs. In this case, however, there isn’t any difference in the rim diameter of the two tires in question. They both come with a rim diameter of 17 inches, which also happens to be a very common wheel diameter.
As wheels with a diameter of 17 inches are very common, your car can likely fit both 295 70r17 and 285 75r17.
However, you must be sure about your car’s wheel diameter, as it must be an exact match. If 285 75r17 isn’t compatible with your vehicle due to its rim diameter, 285 75r17 won’t be, either.
Hopefully, you now got a clearer idea of the differences in the specs of these two heavy-duty tires.
Both have perks and downsides, which is why picking between them is a hard choice. Here’s a table comparing the specs to make it easier for you. We also included some additional relevant specifications to help you make an informed decision.
| Parameters | 295 70r17 | 285 75r17 | Difference |
| Width | 295 mm | 285 mm | -10 mm |
| Sidewall height | 8.13 mm | 8.42 mm | 0.29 mm |
| Aspect ratio | 70% | 75% | +5% |
| Rim diameter | 17 inches | 17 inches | 0 |
| Tread depth | 19.4/32 inch | 16.4/32 inch | – 3/32 inch |
| Load Capacity | 3970 pounds | 3197 pounds | 773 pounds |
Conclusion: Which one to choose and when?
295 70r17 boasts deeper tread and load capacity, which makes it more damage-resistant. On the other hand, 285 75r17 offers better fuel economy and ride comfort.
Both tires feature an aggressive tread design perfect for driving on rugged terrains. Ultimately, both 295 70r17 and 285 75r17 are good options and you can go for whichever you wish.
