235/85/16 (ST Maxx) in sand?

[TFin04]

Hello,

I asked this question in the ST Maxx thread but didn't get much traction (ha) on it. I am debating on tire size for my 2011 Xterra. I have chosen the ST Maxx tire, and I like that the 235/85 is a fair bit lighter than my factory size (265/75/16). I've also read all of the posts about skinny tires and Michigan winters have proven to me that skinny tires are better in the slush.

Michigan also has a lot of sand though, and I intend to take this vehicle to the sand dunes and on a lot of sand trails/roads. I'm curious if anyone has spent a lot of time on similar terrain with 235 width tires, and what your experience has been.

Thanks for your time.

 

[1stDeuce]

If you're not concerned with getting the ABSOLUTE best sand performance to climb "test hill", you'll be fine on a 235/85. Particularly if you choose the STMaxx, which is wider than most 235/85's. I run 235/85's (not STMaxx's) on our Comanche. When aired down, they work great, and they're far better in snow and slush than if I was running a wider tire.

I also switched my Jeep from the 285 STT's I used in MI to 255/85 Maxx's, and LOVE the narrow tires. Better ride, better winter traction, better mileage, and less noise. I did not notice a decrease in sand performance with ~1" less tire width. (Sand washes here not quite like the sand at Silver Lake, but it's the only thing I can compare.

You'll probably find that you'll need a bit more pressure than you did with the 265's to get even wear on the street. (4~5psi higher than door sticker seems to be my experience.)

 

[TFin04]

If you're not concerned with getting the ABSOLUTE best sand performance to climb "test hill", you'll be fine on a 235/85. Particularly if you choose the STMaxx, which is wider than most 235/85's. I run 235/85's (not STMaxx's) on our Comanche. When aired down, they work great, and they're far better in snow and slush than if I was running a wider tire.

I also switched my Jeep from the 285 STT's I used in MI to 255/85 Maxx's, and LOVE the narrow tires. Better ride, better winter traction, better mileage, and less noise. I did not notice a decrease in sand performance with ~1" less tire width. (Sand washes here not quite like the sand at Silver Lake, but it's the only thing I can compare.

You'll probably find that you'll need a bit more pressure than you did with the 265's to get even wear on the street. (4~5psi higher than door sticker seems to be my experience.)

Good info, thank you.

 

[BlindingWhiteTaco]

I have that exact tire on my Tacoma. I do some driving on the Washington beaches and have never had an issue. I normally run street pressure because I'm usually not going more than a mile or two down the beach. When I do air down I usually go down to 20psi and that seems to be sufficient, if I get stuck I can go down further. The gain in flotation by deflating the tire comes mostly from the lengthening of the tread and not so much from the widening. Overall I have been happy with my choice.

 

[01tundra]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/69539-03-Tacoma-Build/page24

 

[p nut]

30mm in width isn't going to make a lot of difference in winter driving. Don't drink the expo skinny tire kool aid. Unless you're dying to try a new size for the sake of it, stick with the 265/75/16's. Regardless of whether they're lighter, MPG will be the same, other performance factors will be similar (although lateral grip will suffer with the skinnier tires, in my experience), and IMO, 265's just look so much better.
_
Just don't go into it thinking it's going to make a noticeable difference. Because in reality, it won't.