Time to Replace OEM Tires

2021 TRD Off Road Double Cab 5' bed. I'm trying to narrow down the options.

Size:
I know the stock size is 265x70 R16; most common replacement is 265x75 R16; biggest tire without rubbing is 255x85 R16. I'm leaning toward the middle ground, but can someone please post a photo of a Tacoma similar to mine, with the 255x85 R16? (I'm concerned that the appearance will be too tall and narrow, but I like the idea of getting more ground clearance without changing the stock suspension.)

Type:
Right now the truck sees mostly commuter duty, but I'm planning some light off-road work for the new tires. I'd prefer an A/T tire over an A/S tire, but are there any all-terrain tires that are rugged enough for off-road that won't kill gas mileage or generate excessive noise? Long tread life would be a plus. Emphasis on wet (not snow) on-road performance.

Pricing:
April is buy 3 tires get 1 for $1 at dealers in SET's territory. That deal seems to beat any other tire retailers' prices for a set of four of the type of tires I'm looking at. (TireRack; Discount Tire; COSTCO.) The catch is each dealer sets the prices for the tires they have in stock, and not every tire size and type is available at every dealer. So if there's a vendor I should look at besides the ones I've already shopped, let me know.

Mounting:

I've never used the OEM spare or rotated it in. If I stick with the stock tire size, should I have the spare rotated in? If I change to either of the two larger sizes I'm considering, will the stock spare still function, at least as a get-home tire?

Thanks.

 

255/85R16 never appealed to me because the tire options in that size are very slim. Basically all mud tires and the new Falken AT4W.

265/75R16 is a good size. I have been very vocal about them, but I really like the Toyo ATIII for my use after many different ATs.

Stock spare should be fine. I like to have it matching just because I’m picky, but the stocker will get you home.

 

Look for a C load or 116 in 265 75 16 around 42/45 lbs. you’ll get a strong tire with good weight for mpg.
Nitto ridge grappler, Toyo ATIII, Goodyear Duratrac, Mickey Thompson Baja Boss are all good tires with decent weights
Check out the tires, weights here

 

Thanks.

 

I'd still like to see what 255x85 R16 looks like on the Tacoma, but I agree that 265/75 R16 is a good size for replacement tires.

It looks like the top contenders are Toyo ATIII, BFG (KO2 or KO3?),Nitto Grappler (Recon, Ridge, Terra?), or Yokohama Geolander (AT XD, X-AT?). Im not sure of the differences among the similarly-named AT tires in each manufacturer's line. I don't think the Toyota dealers near me stock AT Goodyear or Mickey Thompson tires.

 

I think I know what C-load is, but what is "116?" I appreciate the weight reference of 42-45 lbs. and will look at that.

 

Can't go wrong with 265/75. I'm partial to the Goodyear Ultra Terrain. For me, it's the best of both worlds: quiet and provides a good highway ride, while also performing well off-road. Like Tacoma, it doesn't excel at any one thing, but checks all the boxes.

 

C load is a 6 ply equivalent tire in the LT (light truck) category. 116 is a common load rating for 265/75R16 in the standard load (SL). There are very few c-load tires in that size or in 16’s in general. I would (and did) go with SL (116) for mine.

If you went with 255/85, you’re stuck to load E except for I think the new Falken AT4W.

 

That is correct, the new Falken Wildpeak A/T4W is LRC with a 112S load index.

 

I am still leaning toward buying from a Toyota dealer due to their April sale, but choices are limited. Here's what the dealers near me offer:

Choices in 265x75 R16 are limited:

*General Grabber A/T-X
*BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K02
Yokohama Geolander A/T G 015
Michelin Defender LTX
Nexen Radian ATX

The General Grabber A/T-X and BFG T/A KO2 look to have more aggressive treads*, so I'm wondering how much of an A/T tire the others really are.

Choices in 265x70 R16 are more expansive:

General Grabber HTS60
Michelin Defender LTX
Toyo Open Country H/T II
Yokohama Geolander H/T G056
Goodyear Wrangler Territory AT
Yokohaman Geolander A/T G015
*General Grabber APT
Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT
*Nitto Ridge Grappler - $894
*Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Bridgestone Dueler H/T
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
*BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K02

The ones with the aggressive treads* listed above that are not available in the larger size are the General Grabber APT (not the A/T-X, boo), Nitto Ridge Grappler (bummer), and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac (which is a commercial tire (?) and is criticized for poor wet-weather grip). The BFG T/A KO2 is available in either size (yay).

Toyota dealers don't stock the Falken Wildpeak, which is the only one missing that I think would work for me.

They have no tires in 255x85/R16, but I'm probably going to rule that size out.

Obviously I need to whittle this down. Given the majority of use will be commuting miles, I'm wondering whether I am favoring the more aggressively-treaded tires* more for looks vs. need. Living in South Florida, I'm also concerned about wet-weather grip. As for ranking them...?

I'm going to look at reviews, but if any of you have any advice our experience to relate, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Thanks again.

 

Don't hesitate to take advantage of our Low Price Guarantee. We will match any advertised price. If a competitor has a lower OTD price, we would adjust accordingly. It's not about price, we want to be your tire company. We would love the opportunity to earn your business.

 

just a note costco does not mount tires that are different from the stock size. Shameless plug but I used discount/americas tires for my past 4 vehicles and they were great. i would shop around for the pricing on the tire you want and discount tire will price match it for you. they offer lifetime balancing which you will find yourself needing if you choose an A/T tire as they tend to go out of balance as they age and wear.

All the tires you listed will work perfectly for your light duty needs. Just an anecdote, I ran bfg ko2s on 2 sets of tires now on my personal truck and its used on my work truck f250 that sees dirt/snow/rain here in the eastern sierras. Never had an issue and i like how quiet and relatively light they are compared to other A/T.

If you are going up a tire size ~1inch i personally would just leave your stock spare as is.

 

Thank you for your business and recognition. We greatly appreciate it.

 

This has not been my experience. Several months ago my local COSTCO installed tires one size up on my other vehicle. The shop manager asked if I knew they were not the original equipment size. I told him I was aware and knew they would fit. They sold me the tires with the only caveat that they would not guarantee satisfaction if the problem was rubbing; a term that I accepted.

FWIW, I have also bought tires from Discount Tire (online). They made a small mistake with the delivery but we worked it out. I would buy from them again.[/QUOTE]

 

Good to know. Two questions:

Would Discount Tire match Southeast Toyota Distributors' "Buy Three / Get the Fourth for $1" deal on any of the tires in Discount Tire's inventory, or only for the exact tires that are sold in SET's dealer network? For example, would they match this deal if I wanted a set of four Falken Wildpeaks?

What about for different sizes? Would Discount tire match this deal if I wanted a set of Nitto Ridge Grapplers, but in 265x75 R16 instead of 265x70 R16?

 

Discount Tire will match like for like tires. If they do not offer the brand under there promotion, we would not.

 

OK. What about the same tire (e.g., Nitto Ridge Grappler) in 265x75 R16 instead of 265x70 R16?

 

I tend to agree. What tires are in your photo? How do you like them?