285/70-17 vs 255/80-17

TW,

I have a 2020 Tacoma TRDOR. So far based on feedback and recommendations from the TW community I have on order:
- Bilstien 6112/5160 preassembled 5/6 notch
- HS 1.5 AAL (plan on instal w/o the OL leaf)
- RRW RR6-H 17x8.5 -12OS 4.28BS
- SPC UCAs
All waiting for my arrival home in August.
For those of you not familiar I have another thread asking for your input between GDY Duratrac and Nitto Ridge Grappler in a 285/70-17 (the RG are winning go vote).

Recently I came across some TW members running 255/80-17. I am intrigued and have not found a thread comparing and contrasting these two sizes. I thought I’d make one and hope you can help steer me in the right direction.

255/80-17 or “Pizza Cutters” are available in the Nitto RG and BFG KM3. THESE ARE THE ONLY TIRES IN THIS SIZE I WILL CONSIDER.

Your thoughts and feedback?

 

In order to get this thread off to a good start, here are the to comparison. Nitto RG stats in both sizes:

 

It's so odd to me that 255/75/17s are so under the radar here, and the two tire sizes you mention are so drastically different... To each their own.

I just installed your exact same suspension setup but on the 5/4 notch. It's a freakin dream. You're going to love the ride.

 

So I want an everyday tire that does light trails for fishing, hunting, and camping. I’ll never or rarely climb. Mostly on road driving and Midwest winters.

so what tire did you go with?

 

I went with 255/75/17 KO2s in C load. I have the exact same usage considerations as you. To me, this tire and size represents an excellent common ground. It's one of the largest diameter C load tire sizes, is light due to pizza cutter, has an excellent tire selection, is the stock size for Jeep Rubicon's so used availability is great and more. I'll get them mounted this weekend, and send you some pics of the setup. It seems like you've done an ass ton of research on this. I did as well and this is the outcome.

Link to the specific tire.
https://www.americastire.com/buy-tires/bfgoodrich-all-terrain-t-a-ko2/p/31430

 

Sorry to throw a wrench in the tire size mix. It's such a pain in the ass to decide. So many options and considerations.

 

Aww man! Haha. I am honestly looking for an excuse not to buy the KM3. It looks so good. And with the narrow footprint it will likely our perform a 285 AT in the snow. 255/70-17 is like 240 before my discount at Discount Tire/America Tire.

 

Stoked for you on your suspension purchase, I've been looking at that too. Just my 2 cents but the KM3 is about the least daily driver tire I've ever seen. I'd either buy the 285 Duratrac or do what @Big_Salad is suggesting

 

Yeah that specific tire is bank unfortunately. It is my understanding that KM3s don't quite have the snow performance of the KO2s. I think overall all-terrain tires out-perform mud tires in snow. I drive in the snow a few times a year, so that was also a consideration of mine when getting the KO2s. The KM3s are also not 3 peak rated, which doesn't necessarily mean good snow traction, but is seemingly better than non-rated.

All of this info is solely based on research, not experience.

 

Your comparison lists a 255/80/17 vs 285/70/17, not the 255/70/17.

I went with a 255/70/17 in a KO2. It is a Load E tire with a black side wall. I run the PSI 5 lower than the door and have had great performance with them. I recommend that size in either of your tire choices.

 

I run 255/70R17 KO2s in C-load. It is a very light LT tire at about 44lbs while having a similar outer diameter to popular 275s. It is only 10mm narrower than stock, or 5mm on each side. It isn't very noticeable as a "pizza cutter", especially if using a wheel that pushes the tire further out in the wheel well. Rotating weight is the worst kind for mpgs/performance/braking, so looking at the wheel and tire combo and trying to keep it off is a good idea.

I have about the same suspension setup the OP is looking at expect running the Baja version of the Bilstiens rather than the aftermarket version. An additional benefit with the 255s and using SPC UCAs is you can move the wheel forward a little bit and negate almost all the rubbing issues due to using a narrower tire, meaning no cab mount chop is necessary. Will require low profile flaps or removing flaps though to negate most rubbing.

Be sure to check the wheel size requirements on the tires you are looking at. 8.5" wide wheels could be too wide for some 255s. I run TRD 7.5" wide Rock Warriors on mine.

 

that is correct. Check the name of the thread. 255/80 or 285/70.

255/70 is entirely too small for my taste. My wife’s stock 4 runner can’t have bigger tires than me. She has a 265/70-17

 

Check the name of the thread again.

 

Looks like 255/70/17...

Might want to change the survey too.

 

thanks for feedback.

yea a lot of guys run a 255/70-17 with no running on stock UCAs. I won’t CMC. I’m not going to cut up a 40k truck for a $250 tire. Seems a$$ backward to me lol.

I have a P285/70-17 Nitto RG with stock uca, 0 offset wheel, and 2” RC (which is a bit more than 2”) no running. Atleast in the road.


Part of the appeal of a 255/80-17 is the narrow tire and no potential to run at all. Especially with -12OS and low BS combined with SPC UCAs.

 

Alll my mistake!
Thank you. Continue with feedback!!!

 

I have 285/70r17 KM3s. I would go with the 255/85r17. There’s less contact which means less rolling resistance which will translate to better fuel mileage.

With that said, I have no complaints about the 285s. On a highway trip I can still get 20mpg, while towing my rzr I get 14-15mpg and around town they ride just fine.

 

Ok how do they perform in the snow? The RGs specifically?
The KM3 and Nitto RG are my two options in the 255.

 

They’re fine in the snow. I’ve had most of the tires that get used on these trucks (nittos, falkens, BFGs, Goodyear’s, etc) and none of them are amazing in the snow. I try new tires and always end up back with BFGs every time.

 

Nice info on this thread guys! I've always wanted and loved the look of 285 tires, but to keep weight and down I have been interested on the 255/80. The ST Maxx seems to be the lightest 255 tire which weighs 51 lbs. The 285 C rated KO2 is also 51 lbs. So they are the same weight. I know there is more contact and rolling resistance with the 285 since it is wider, but is it really that big of a difference? The 285 Toyo Open Country AT3 is also growing on me, not as aggressive looking as KO2, but weighs in at only 47 lbs. I'm curios on what you guys think about my dilemma. Should I go with the 285 KO2 or Toyo AT3, or go with the 255 ST Maxx. I just love the wide and beefy look of 285. I'd like to hear from anyone who's run both sizes before also.