4x4 Offroad Question

I have been looking at going to a little wider tire on my 2500HD 4x4. I
currently have 265s on a 6.5 stock rim and its ok for most things, but there
are a couple place I go where it is just barely enough tire. I am looking
at 285 75 16 as the next step up in a decent all terrain radial. I am not
necessarily shopping for the cheapest deal, but I neither need nor want to
"pimp my ride" either.

Most of the 285 75 16 tires I have looked at show an 8 or 8.5 inch rim width
as optimal giving me close to 11.5" of width on the "road" or in the dirt.
I found a bunch of rims that are affordable with a 4.5 inch backset. One
local tire dealer told me that I really should have a 5" backset, and then
proceeded to tell me there aren't many made like that. Well, so far I
haven't found any. Just lots of 4.5 backsets and many at a reasonable
price.

Then I got the "bright idea" to look at spacers. All of the spacers I have
looked at are made from 6061 aluminum billet (probably mill rolled sheet
really). 6061 is pretty tough stuff, but it can still flex and compress
some.

I guess I have some questions.

1. Do I need a 5" backset or will a 4.5" backset clear ok.

2. Are there any reasonable price rims available in a 16x8 8 hole Chevy
bolt pattern with a 5" backset?

3. What kind of problems am I likely to run into if I run 4.5s with a .5
spacer?

not even that drastic of a change just hit it harder

In my opinion you can run your factory wheels with the 285's and you will be fine. Lots of people do it. But the tire would look better and less balloon like on wider wheels.

As for backspacing while the more you have the bigger tire you can run, but since you have an HD a 285 will fit fine. If you have any rubbing problem you can crank your torsion bars a half inch or so and it should solve the problem. I dont even see you needing to do this. The dealer was correct as there arent a lot of wheels with 5" BS... You will see lots of 4.5 and 5.5. The only time 4.5" BS really causes trouble is when you run 10" wide wheels. Anything smaller, it isnt a big deal.

As for spacers... If you cant get away without them run and run away fast. They are notorious for coming loose, and most vehicles dont go so well with only three wheels.

You might want to look at 18 inch wheels they are much more common these days and prices are reasonable and there are many more choices, the 16" wheel has sort of gone to the wayside. As for tires, the TOYO Open Country AT was a great tire for me. I replaced mine with about 10k left in them and had put a total of about 42k on them.