265/75/16 vs 235/85/16

[huntsonora]

Is that a Tundra? If so, a 265 might be the better option to keep road damage down if you spend time on soft private roads... I had 235's on a 2500 GMC a while back, and while it was rock solid on them, and got great mileage, it would find the bottom if the ground was soft... Sometimes the bottom is not near the surface... It always got through, but the ruts I left were sometimes fairly significant... A lighter vehicle may not be so affected.

Also, if your wheels are wider than about 7", a 235 may be stretched a bit to cover. I put a set of 235/80R17's on a 7.5" wheel, and it was OK but the 17's are typically a bit wider than the 16's, and I was a little worried about the sidewall, which was fairly exposed. (Never had an issue though...)

Any luck with finding a better deal on Hercules tires locally? I'm about to put the TerraTracII's back on the road under the Comanche project. I still maintain they're as good a tire and comparable in performance to the AT3. It's just a matter of price.

Its a 1st gen Tundra DC so its not as heavy as the new ones. I haven't had any luck with finding a Hercules tire yet BUT I can get a hell of a deal on the AT3's right now at Discount. In fact they would be about $150 less for a set than the 265 ATP's

Here is my truck with 265 ST Maxx tires...






265 ST Maxx-54lbs
265 ATP-49lbs
235AT3-42lbs

Not that the weight is the end all be all, it would be nice to get a little power and mileage back though. Hell, the ATP's at 5lbs less would make a little difference

 

[PirateMcGee]

I like my 265 ATP's. I'm weight conscious as well which is how I ended up with them. Solid tires and I would go 265 over the 235. How about light rims?

 

[kayadog]

Discount Tire Direct has good rebates right now. Great time to buy tires.

 

[chasespeed]

In your case, I would say the only advantage in 235s would come in the snow.

However, I would also say, you're better off with the 265s. Lots of ranches, and caliche roads down here..

Chase

 

[pittsburgh]

I've been looking into the BFG KO2's in a 235/85/16 I think the advantages of the size are pretty subtle as far as performance and fit goes, and I can't see any real disadvantages,but the price difference is what's really swaying me. 4 of them from 4wheelparts is only $597 with free shipping. Discount tire down the street will match that price. But, discount tire direct has Duratracs in a 265/75/16 for right around $700 shipped it's a tough choice, I wish the duratracs had better sidewalls.

 

[huntsonora]

In your case, I would say the only advantage in 235s would come in the snow.

However, I would also say, you're better off with the 265s. Lots of ranches, and caliche roads down here..

Chase

Chase,

Lots and lots of caliche roads in NM too. 235's aren't good on caliche or do they just wear too fast due to the smaller surface area?

You in Corpus? If so I may have a few questions regarding fishing

 

[chasespeed]

Chase,

Lots and lots of caliche roads in NM too. 235's aren't good on caliche or do they just wear too fast due to the smaller surface area?

You in Corpus? If so I may have a few questions regarding fishing

Yes, I'm in Corpus.

I wouldn't say that the 235s would be any worse, or better on caliche. Just, with me, with the varying roads, sand, etc, I prefer a bigger footprint. Distribute the load a little. These caliche roads are HARD on tires.

Chase

 

[sargeek]

Here in Colorado - I have never been some place and told my self " Dam - I should have gotten wider tires"; I have been places where the I have gotten nearly stuck on a hard pack road with a fine layer of sand/silt on the road that acted like ball bearings. - a narrower tire would have increased ground pressure / traction. I am sure that wide tire have some use in true mud bogs, beaches, snow drifts. I think for the tire sizes you are talking about it comes to cosmetics, and what you like to see on your truck. I don't think you can go wrong with either tire.

 

[redthies]

Just pulled this stunt on Sunday evening...

That's a nice one Drummond! Was that down Mexico way? Not much snow for CO! You look to have gotten you money's worth out of the STs! I'll be totally happy if they go 40,000 on the Dodge. On topic, I've been thinking on it and I don't think you're going to see a whole lot of fuel economy improvement going between the 265s and 235s. I'd probably do the ATPs in 265. There's a bit more tire for those "just in case" moments.

 

[huntsonora]

That's a nice one Drummond! Was that down Mexico way? Not much snow for CO! You look to have gotten you money's worth out of the STs! I'll be totally happy if they go 40,000 on the Dodge. On topic, I've been thinking on it and I don't think you're going to see a whole lot of fuel economy improvement going between the 265s and 235s. I'd probably do the ATPs in 265. There's a bit more tire for those "just in case" moments.

That was on the CO/NM border. Actually wrecked it in CO and walked to a ranch in NM. Good times.

I'm having those ATP's put on Friday morning. I noticed that discount tire direct had their Presidents' Day sale going on online so I called the local Discount and they said their sale starts Friday morning so I'll get a $75 cash card for waiting a few days. Score