Recommendations for AT tire currently running 265/65 R17

Hey Guys,
New to the forum and looking for advice for my 2013 TRD. Currently running Michelin Defender 265/65/R17 and wanting to go to an AT type tire. Like it more for the looks as I really do no off road running other than gravel, no mud or rock. I've read lots of articles here and see there are many brands and opinions out there. I'm really not looking to add spacers or lift kits to what I have and so curious if what the garage told me is true about 265/65 is going to be the biggest since if I go larger I will rub my front mud flaps? I know a lot of guys run smaller 16" wheels in order to gain a bigger tire but not interested in doing this.

First thoughts were I wanted the BFG TKO tire but dealer said it was very heavy at 10ply, sorta rulled that one out. I've look at hankook and yokohama and now leaning towards the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. Anyone running it and your thoughts?

Anyone on here with 17" that can show photos of their AT tires?

Is it worth removing the mud flaps in order to run 275/70?

Thanks in advance!

 

Tons of pics in the wheels and tires area. And most tires have their own thread also. The Falkens look great, and Ive heard good things about them. I’ve only had them a short time, so I can’t give a personal recommendation, but so far so good.

 

What size are you running?

 

265/70 17 on 3rd gen.

 

That is exactly the size I want to run. Do you know if Gen 2 will rub the front mud flaps with that size?

 

I put on the Falkens today, right at the beginning of a snowstorm. After a few inches came down, I went out to try them out. They are fantastic in snow. Other than that, I can't tell you much until after I try them in other situations.
For now though, I love them!

 

I don’t know for sure. I know some have a little rub on 3rd gen, and sometimes getting rokblokz or rekgen style flaps prevents that. But I’m not certain on the 2nd gen trucks. I think I had same size on my 2012, but I don’t know for sure

 

It could rub the mud flaps but a wheel alignment can help that.
You can get Duratrac or KO2 in C load for 45lbs 265 70 17 if you want a tire that’s tough, light weight and looks good.

 

I didn't know about the C load? Dealer mentioned the KO2s came in 10 ply and that seemed excessive to me.

 

Yeah, E is great if you are going hard. C is a good middle ground.
Check out this site for weights and other info. Nitto Ridge Grappler is another good tire.

 

Good info to know. Any idea how many plies C is, guessing 4, maybe 6?

 

Tires don’t have plys anymore but it is a rating of strength.
C has a equivalent strength to 6 ply.
SL or P is comparable to 4 ply
E is 10 ply, with a 3 ply sidewall usually.
If your on pavement SL would be fine.

 

You should have clear wheel travel with 265/70R17 as long as you stay on stock wheels. People usually buy wheels at the same time as upgrading tires and so the tires get the blame. I have not seen aftermarket wheels with as much backspacing as stock (5.5" IIRC). Most aftermarket wheels are 4.5"-4.0" backspacing and 1-2" wider. I had a 2nd gen with that size tires and got an aftermarket wheel and had to trim the fender flares.

For tires, I like Hankook Dynapro ATM's a lot. Had them on my 2nd gen in SL range. I have Toyo AT2's now and they are significantly heavier and noisier, and also much less grippy in snow. I will consider the Cooper AT3 for my next set. They won a Fourwheeler magazine shootout.

SL/P series load range will be perfect for you. Any heavier load range and you are throwing money away at tire cost and MPG loss for no reason. 4 SL tires are rated to carry about 2X the GVWR of a Tacoma. There are arguments for more confident load carrying ability, puncture resistance and wear characteristics of higher load ranges, but for your use you'd be throwing money away and making your truck accelerate more slowly, brake more slowly and get worse gas mileage. Definitely look at tire weight s before you buy. Adding 5 pounds (x4) of rotating unsprung weight is much different then carrying a 20lb dumbbell in your bed.

Edit-just saw you were asking about 275 tires, not 265/70. I can't comment on that.

Also, welcome to the forum.

 

I recently fitted 265/70/17 Michelin Defenders on my 2015, I had the same tires on my previous 2008 for three years without problems

They don't rub during normal use, I don't know if they would during off-roading on uneven terrain

 

Got a set of goodyear duratracs on 265/70/17 using fj rims 2nd gen no rubbing

 

So I ended up going with the Falken Wildpeak At-3s 265/70/17 and sure enough they fit perfectly WITHOUT having to remove the mudflaps. Appreciate all the help and feedback hearing that it could be done.