255/85/16 vs. 265/75/16 vs. 285/75/16 (My Story)

Hello All,

Over the last 8 months I have managed to go through 3 different sets of tires, waste some money, but finally found my sweet spot. I wanted to share pictures and my thoughts on each set so others can make better decisions. As much research as I did; nothing compared to actually putting them on the truck. I want to start by highlighting what I use my truck for as everyone's situation is different. My thoughts are specific to my driving needs. Just wanted to provide some depth and photos for people looking in to different options for their truck.

What do I use my truck for?

I travel Michigan for my job and log about 1,000 miles/month. About 80% highway mileage. On the weekends it gets a lot of intermediate trail use, but I certainly don't rock climb. It is my daily driver and I have to slightly care about MPG....but not really.

First Try: 285/75/16 Falken Wildpeak (16" VTX Viper Satin Wheels 16x8 -12)

Lift: Low Range Off-Road 3" front and 2" rear level kit ("Lift")

Summary: Loved the look of the tire itself, but unless you are willing to re-gear/OVTune I thought this was overkill for the truck. MPG was at about 13.5-14.5 and the truck struggled to keep up. Slick in snow and ice and not as grippy as I anticipated. Also - no rub with this setup. Lasted 2 months on the truck and I went back for a smaller tire.

Pictures:






Second Try: 265/75/16 Falken Wildpeak (16" SCS SR8 Wheels 16x8 -12)

Lift: OME 888 Nitrocharger Softer Sport Front Shocks, OME Nitrocharger Rear Shocks, Camburg UCA's, and Dakar Leaf Medium Pack)

Summary: Kept the same tire size but went a little smaller. Loved the ride. MPG was back to around 18-20 on the highway. No complaints with this size except for the fact that it looked a little small on the truck. Slight rub in reverse on the wheel well at full turn, but not bad at all.

Pictures:






Third Try: 255/85/16 Cooper ST Maxx (16" SCS SR8 Wheels 16x8 -12)

Lift: OME 888 Nitrocharger Softer Sport Front Shocks, OME Nitrocharger Rear Shocks, Camburg UCA's, and Dakar Leaf Medium Pack)

Summary: After reading the skinny tire thread I was sold on going for a skinny tire. I wanted the height back of the 285, but not the width. So far I LOVE the tire. Looks great on the truck, performs great, and I am getting around 18 MPG currently. Definitely rubbing in reverse at 3/4 turn on the cab mount, so that will be the next project.

Pictures:

 

Great info, I’m glad you got the truck where you want it. definitely planning a re gear. Originally I was thinking 285 75 17 but I like the 16 inch wheel and don’t wanna deal with too much cutting and chopping. I’m thinking more of 285 75 16 but torn between going 4.88 and 5.29 on the re gear. Leaning more toward 5.29. I deff do a lot of highway driving with the truck tho so we’ll see. I still haven’t ruled out the skinnies even with a re gear. Lots to consider.

 

I just ordered a lift for my TRD OR and would really like to go with a 255/85R16 tire but apparently BFG doesn't offer their all terrain line in that size. I'll probably end up going 265/75R16 instead.

 

Don't like Cooper ST Maxx AT? Not a whole lot of 255/85/16 options that are AT

 

Honestly BFG ATs are down at the bottom of the pack for AT anymore. You can do better.

 

This may have convinced me to go 255’s... great write up. Hard to find load range D 255’s in stock though.

 

I probably read the “skinny tire” thread on here for 2 weeks trying to decide. So glad I did.

 

Are your 255’s load range D or E?

 

E

 

Could probably get another 1 or 2 mpgs back if they were load range d. Hard to find thought.

 

@Spare Parts

 

That’s the problem haha. I honesty don’t mind the load range E on these though.

 

Nice write up. Also nice to see photos of the different sizes on the same truck.

 

Great write-up. Any idea how much your original 285's weighed? I believe your 255' are 58lbs. It sounds like the increase rolling resistance of the wider tire is a bigger factor than weight.

 

61lbs. Good point I could have included that in my original post.

Had to do a CMC on my 255’s though.

 

@justclements I'm thinking about going from my 265/75/17 Wildpeaks to a 255/80/17 ST Maxx. I was wondering about road noise difference between the Wildpeaks and Maxx. Was one quieter then the other or about the same?

 

the ST Maxx is slightly louder, but I can barely hear it. I drive for work all the time, so I would notice it if it was annoying.

 

Thanks for the write up, its really informative. I'm probably going to end up doing the 265/75/16 Wildpeaks. Do you happen to have any side profile shots of your truck? I'm curious how much poke you get with a -12 offset wheel.

 

@justclements hows the winter driving on the ST Maxx’s? I love 33’s on tacos, it just looks right.

 

lots of info

thx for your time & write up !