Are 265/75-16 worth it?

My truck is due for some new tires, and I'm debating whether to stick with the stock size (265/70-16, 30.6" OD), or increase to the 265/75-16 (31.7" OD). My truck is completely stock, as far as I can tell in reading these forums the 265/75-16 should fit just fine but is as large as I can go without suspension mods/trimming, which I don't want to do. I don't do any heavy off-roading or rock crawling, but I love to hunt and fish and explore forest roads, which is why I'm considering going up in tire size to give myself just a hair more clearance, and considering E load rating for a bit more durability on rocky roads.

I am planning to go with the Toyo Open Country ATIII, I live in the PNW so I need a good tire for wet conditions. That tire is available with an E rated sidewall in the 265/75-16, but not in the 265/70-16.

I'm hoping to learn from you guys' experience, is the E load rating and extra clearance worth the heavier and more expensive tires?

Any other recommendations for me for different tires are welcome as well, I want to go with an A/T tire similar to the Toyo. I ruled out the K02s because I read that they are not good in wet weather.

Thanks!

 

Do you have sl tires now? Have you suffered damage to them?

If yes, c or e might be a good choice but stay as light as you can and meet your needs.

The size up is 1/2" of clearance. On stock wheels you should have no problems

 

Me personally I prefer the bigger 75’s. Unless you absolutely know you NEED E load don’t do it, go C load. E load sucks and you’ll feel like it turned into a shitty dump truck.

 

If you stay with a standard load tire there is no downside to going to 265/75/16's. They are often less expensive than the same tire in 265/70/16, any loss of power or fuel mileage is too small to detect. And they aren't big enough to have a noticeable change to the odometer or speedometer like bigger tires.

I've had E rated tires in 265/75/16, and I've had P rated tires in the same size. The ride is a little stiffer, but not horrible. I've been doing this for 40+ years and I've never experienced a loss of fuel mileage as long as I stayed pretty close to the same size and with a similar tread. Wide tires, and tires with very aggressive mud tread will hurt fuel mileage. In the 15 years I've had this truck I've had 265/70/16's, 265/75/16's and 245/75/16's on it in both P and E ratings. All of those sizes are within 1" in height and width but have varied between 38 to 53 lbs each. Fuel mileage has never changed since the 1st tank.

You will see somewhat slower acceleration with the heavier tires. It is noticeable when merging into interstate traffic at an on ramp or pulling away from a stop. It does take more power to get the heavier tires moving, but once up to speed no more power is needed to keep them moving.

An E rated tire is tougher and less likely to be damaged from rough roads or off road. They are also a lot more expensive. It is a close call, but while I've had both, I currently have standard load 265/75/16's on my truck. I'm not saying E rated tires are the wrong choice, just not the right choice on my Tacoma right now for me.

I've had both standard load and E rated tires on my F150. Will probably stay with E rated tires for it.

 

Yes.
Don't bother with the E load 10ply LT version unless you have damaged the crap out of the SL tires before. LT tires are about 5lb each heavier rotational/braking/sprung weight which roughly equals to 200lbs more chassis weight that hurts acceleration, braking, suspension, and MPG.

edit:
Under the impression we were talking about the four tires on the vehicle.
5lb per wheel, X four wheels, is 20lbs, which roughly equates to 200lb chassis weight.

 

I went that size on mine and love them. Never had an issue with standard suspension. Got the Toyo Open Country M/T (265/75 r16), live in the CO and they work just fine.

 

I've seen this "claim" many times. I'd like to see a source with data or calculations to confirm the assertion.

Any hints or links???

 

"roughly" is the key. The equation was well versed in the mid-1990s in SCCA racing including autox. I ran SCCA DSP autox with a 1984 VW Rabbit GTI for 4+ years. Grassroots Motorsports
https://www.google.com/search?q=rot...9i57j33i299.9749j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

I had the same tire in a E load 53 lbs and C load 45, I only gained around 1.5 mpg going to the lighter tire. Not that big of a difference.

 

@eurowner

I have read several of those references. At most the "claim" is 1 lb rotational is similar to 2 lbs frame. Have yet to see/read any test data or calculations to back the claim. Loads of anecdotal and internet claims.

I'm skeptical on the 5 lbs rotational is similar to 200 lbs frame.

 

5lb per wheel, X four wheels, is 20lbs, which roughly equates to 200lb chassis weight.

 

I think your calculator needs new batteries.

Assume the claims of 1 lb rotational equates to 2 lbs frame......based on internet claims.

4 wheels at 5 lbs would be 20 lbs rotational.....X2 comes out to 40 lbs frame. Quite a difference compared to 200 lbs.

Anyhow, I believe this is picking nits based on unvetted claims.

 

I really appreciate all the input, thank you guys for sharing your experience and opinions!

 

OP, take a look at 235/85/16 (aka skinny/pizza cutter) Same diameter as 75s but ~9.5" wide instead of ~10.5.
I have a set of these in my basement waiting to get put all. In the reading I did a saw very few who didn't like them.
Up to this change I went though two sets of 75s. No complaints.

 

For what it's worth .... I upgraded my '19 Taco TRD Off Road wit Bilstein 5100s and LT265/75/16 K02s. I do a bit of off roading in southwest deserts, Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. Nothing real technical but I do get out in the muck from time to time. The set up is great for what I like. I thought the ride on pavement improved over the stock tires and shocks after the changes. BTW, my experience is KO2s are not great on wet pavement. I read somewhere BFG makes a tread that is slightly different and better on wet pavement.

 

When it came time upgrade my tires I went to E rated, I had some shale damage once while exploring some logging roads with my old tires. Did not see a noticeable difference in MPG but I was running the 235/85 pizza cutters.

 

Toyo AT3 SL all day long.