265's vs. 285's

I think I've held off long enough. I'm running 265/75R16's. I'd love to go up to 285's, I'd like to fill in a little more of the wheel well. I'm thinking rather ko2's or STT Maxx's. I travel quite a bit from Dallas to Louisiana for work and wondering if going up to the 285's will be worth it mpg wise?

 

Try out the tire calculator to see the various combinations.

Then do some reading about fitment, and determine what other things you're willing to change.

But don't base your choice on MPG. If you want commuting mileage, buy an appliance. 5 year old 50k mile Elantras still have 5 years and 50k of warranty left, can be had for under $8k, and will knock down over 30mph on your commute.

 

If you are lifted, consider 255/85. They are a true 33", unlike 285 that is like 32.8". They'll fill the well more, too.

 

Thanks for the response. I already checked the tire calculator. I was looking for more of personal experiences. I just paid off $41K in debt and saving to buy a small farm so a new vehicle is not in the budget plus I fly when I find a good price on tickets.

 

Thanks, I'll look into them

 

Being debt free is a fantastic feeling of freedom.

 

I love my 285s and don't ever want to go smaller. On my taco that is. I've ran 255s, 265s, and 285s since I've owned my taco. For pavement pounding it was a toss up between the 255s and 265s. 255s probably did get the best mpg. They were the worst off road though. Granted I see some mud so I like wider. I give up a mpg or 2 with 285s, but it seems worth it off road. Also consider you either have to run 1.25" wheel spacers on stock wheels or 16x8 with 4 or 4.5" backspacing to keep the 285s out of the UCA, plus definite pinch weld mod and maybe even a small fender trim.

All that said I want to run 255s on the wifes 3rd gen T4R next. But it sees more pavement then off road and I'd like to have a set of 255s on my expo trailer when they're no longer vehicle worthy.

FWIW I like the ST Maxx over the KO2s.

 

255/85 looks absolutely great on the 3rd gens... They fit stock too, which is great.

 

http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html

255 vs 285 paper ^^^

Stock size tire (265) for mpg.

Can't have both my man.

 

Not sure if everyone knows this, but even if you buy an American sized tire (ie 33x12.5), it will still be smaller in diameter. A 285/70/17 or 285/75/16 is a 33 as most 33s you look for are actually 32.7-32.8" in diameter. As far as I know, the only exception to this "rule" is 39.5s which are truly 39.5".

Anyway, I love my 285s and will love them til I do my SAS. On a tank of gas I used to get about 280 miles with my stock tires. Now I get about 265, but you have to consider that because my odometer is still calibrated for the smaller tires, I'm actually going 1.08 miles per 1 mile it registers. So my true mileage is 286 miles per tank. I believe that in town the bigger tires will get less mileage but you may see improved mileage coasting on the freeway due to having more inertia.

 

I think it varies wildly by brand of tire. It's rare that the size is actually that true size.

 

All the tire size talk is such a headache. I have read so many posts about tire size and what to trim, or don't need to trim. Everyone seems to have different results. All I want to know is what the biggest tire I can run on a 3rd gen without trimming shit. LOL. I know there are a bunch of factors to be considered. Its just cracks me up that everyone has different results.

 

Safe bet with no lift would be 265/x/x depending on which rim you have.

 

Agreed ^^^ I've read everything on tires and finally landed on the Falken Wildpeak 265/75/16. It will satisfy my driving conditions on and off road, my wallet and they look good on the truck. By the time they wear down I should be ready for a lift and bigger tires. GL

 

I've got 265 75 16 mud tires and I love the way they look. I get compliments all the time. They are on SCS SR8's with a little offset which makes them look even better. They do excellent in the dirt, not so excellent in snow though. I've hit some deep nasty mud that I don't think other tires could have handled but I made it out just fine.

 

x2 Mud terrains will change normal on road characteristics. There's a few roads by my grandparents house that my KM2s hate in the rain. Same thing for ice and snow on pavement.

You'll want to look for tires that are siped well if you want to drive through those conditions with mud terrains.

I've heard STT Pros do really well in rain/icey/snowy conditions.

However, I've heard that Mud terrains do well in deep deep deep snow found offroad.

 

After lift i had 265/75/16 installed to be practical....a month later i ordered 285/75. The 265's appeared too small. Would've kept my scion if i was concerned with mpg's

 

Tall, narrower tires work better in mud, wet pavement and snow. Wider is better on sand, rock and dry pavement.

I'd run 255/85's but I don't want or need an E rated tire. I feel a 265/75 P rated tire is the best compromise on a Tacoma. Going to 285's entails a lot more trouble and expense for a very marginally larger tire. If going to the trouble and expense of anything bigger than a 32" tire I'd just go straight to a 35" tire.

 

If you want 285's, don't bring mpg's into the discussion.

 

http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html

^ Would argue otherwise with really interesting anecdotes. And somewhat more proof that just saying "x is better than y because I said so"

Not everyone uses their truck the same way, thus different options for different folk.

I disagree fullheartedly. I do agree they are a marginally larger tire, but sometimes that's all you need. 33"s aren't THAT hard to fit, some pinch weld here, a CMC there, and you're done. 35"s would require a ton more work PLUS regearing not to mention horrible gas mileage if you daily drive the truck.