Tire size question

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4x4. Its a half ton. Well its time for new tires, and those NASTY factory 245s have to go. I want to put 285s under it. I have emailed a couple online tire shops, and they say that 285s are too tall for my truck. The thing is I was at Wal-Mart the other day and parked beside another half ton dodge quad cab of approximately the same year, and it was sporting nice 285/75/16 BFG All-Terrain KOs! It didnt appear to have any kind of lift kit installed. So I am wondering if the tech guys were just looking in a book Dodge sent them that said 285s don't fit? Or was this dude at Wal-Mart sacrificing performance(i.e. if he turns sharp, the tires will rub the wheel wells) for tire size? If I can get 285s I definately will, otherwise I will have to be happy with 265s. Is anybody here knowledgeable on such things?

I have been running 285/75/16 AT BFG's on my 99 Dodge 2500 4X4 Diesel for over a year now. My truck has the stock springs and gearing and I have never had any rubbing problems. The diesel has plenty of power to make up for higher gear ratio from the larger tires. You might want to look into lower gears if notice a big loss in power. The only other problem will be your speedo will be off, but you can get that recalibrated at a speedo shop.

I also have 285 75 16 with no issues

I would imagine that they would fit I have a `98 2wd and I`m running 265`s my friend has a `00 4wd and is running 305`s with no problem

"Stock height: 265/75R16 (this is the stock tire size).
Probably OK: 285/75R16, 235/85R16, 255/85R16, 32/11.50-16.5
With a 2-3" lift: 33/12.5-16.5, 315/75R16
With a 4" Lift: 35/12.5-16.5"

Got the info from http://dodgeram.info/tech/mods/tires/index.html
there is also owners say that they do in fact run the 285s.

I have 285/75/16 but I had 305 they fit but rub alittle when I was turning sharp