Tires
Tires (or should I say tyres) are never an easy decision but at least a had it quickly narrowed down to two sizes. I was either going to go with 255/85r16 or 235/85r16. These were my parameters.
1. Keep the stock rims. I just didn't want to have to buy new ones if I didn't have to. Either tire would have worked with the rims that came with the truck.
2. No fender trimming. The truck is almost new and I didn't want to take a hatchet to it. I MAY have gotten away with no trimming with the stock rims with the 255/85r16's but I knew for sure I would not have to trim with the 235/85r16's.
3. Keep factory gearing. It seems like about 50% of the people out there with 255/85r16's feel the need to regear. I regeared my Chevy Colorado. It was expensive and I would rather spend my money on other upgrades at this time.
4. Maintain fuel economy. Any increase in tire size and weight will start to cut into the MPG's. The 235/85r16's should be just slightly less worse.
5. Full size spare tire. The 235/85r16 will fit without modification.
6. E rated. I feel more comfortable with the weight of the camper with an E rated tire and the extra (10) plys should make the tire more puncture resistant. Both tire sizes are made as E rated.
After taking everything into consideration I decided to go with the biggest 235/85r16 tire I could find. Mathematically the 235/85r16 should measure 31.7 x 9.3 inches. I decided to go with the Toyo Open Country M/T's. These tires measure a full 32 x 9.4 inches. The drawback is that they are also about the heaviest tire of this size weighing in at 52 pounds. All things being relative, they weigh 2 pounds less than the 265/75r16 (31.8 x 10.5) BF Goodrich All Terrain KO's that I had grown accustom to on my Chevy Colorado.
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And I think they look good.
Up next...mild lift, camper mounting and a few odds and ends.