Opinions on 32" options

[SafariRNR]

I'm looking to get new tires soon and trying to decide between 265/75/16's and 235/85/16's. I was wondering if anyone who's actually used these sizes has any input. I like the skinny tires for aesthetics, better gas mileage, etc.; but the sidewalls are much stiffer and wasn't sure what the consensus was on them.

 

[Overland Hadley]

What vehicle are you putting them on? What is your intended use for the vehicle? How heavy is the vehicle?

I like my 265/75 BFG AT's. For me it is the right tire size.

 

[Martinjmpr]

My current 4runner has 265/75s (BFG AT KOs), my previous Taco had 235/85s (Yokohama Geolanter AT-S). They both worked well. When I need new tires on the 4runner I'll stick with the KOs but I'll switch to the 235/85 size. Besides being skinnier and lighter they are about $20 less expensive.

If you're worried about not getting enough sidewall flex, remember that a tire doesn't need to flex sideways in order to have a bigger footprint, it can flex fore and aft and still give the same size of footprint.

 

[sasaholic]

im running 235 85 16's on my 95 tacoma and have no problem and actually go alot farther than my buddy in the snow and he has the same truck, but with 33 12.5's. now im not sure if its the width or because i have more weight over the rear end(canopy,and storage) they air down fine and give a good footprint. im goin to 35 12.5's now, but thats only cause i want the height(255's arent a big enough jump for me fron 235's) im hating the 12.5 wide, but id rather that than have to run a swamper in a 10.5. all in all i think the 235 85's preform better than my previous 265 76 16's, but if your looking for good looks the 265 is where its at.

 

[CYi5]

I've run 265/75 ATs and now 235/85 MTs. Maybe the 235/85 ATs are light, but these Hankook MTs sure aren't. I think I remember them being 54-58 lbs each! Any MPG gains by being skinnier disappeared with their weight. I expected less for a skinny 32". The sidewall is also considerably stiffer from what I noticed, also a turn off.

They fit best on a 16x7, but I'm running them on a 16x8 without issues even when aired down if that were a concern. The sidewall is a little stretched out; makes me weary of sidewall punctures, but the hankooks hold their ground. I have pics of both setups if you would like to see.

If I were to do it again I'd just go 265/75 AT (in reality next will be 285/75 AT for me). But if you wanna be expo approved, give the 235 a shot .

 

[Bcghosttowns]

It also depends on the typical terrain.wider gives more floatation and narrow gets down to the bottom of mud.But if you stay clear of mud as i do and usually only see dirt,rocks or sand i would say wider is better.
Light trucks dont weigh enough to get to the bottom so most perfer wider on small trucks and narrow on full size trucks.But lets be honest,we are only talkin an inch or so difference so its not even noticable.
Its probly more honestly a personal preferance.I like the looks of wide but dont like the driving characteristics of them but i hate the look of tall skinny tires but they drive nicer in a straight line(not great for cornering IMO)
That being said i use 265 75 r16 E rated on my ranger and find them to be right in the middle of both camps. :coffeedrink:

 

[7wt]

I have 235's on right now. I like them just fine but I may do 265's next go around as I am switching to MT's. Then again, I may keep the 235's as they have been a very good size for my light truck. My only complaint with the tires I have now is they won't stay balanced. I guess it just all depends on how I feel when I go to get a new set.

 

[NovaScotiaYota]

I will throw in another vote for the 235's. I have a set of BFG ATTAKO on my stock 2002 Tacoma V6. Very happy with them, although I'm sure there's really not all that much real world difference between them, and the 265. Price wise, 235's were $20 cheaper.

 

[java]

i ran 265/70/17 and i liked them alot. good size for light off road duty and a great dd size tire

 

[trailpac]

Just put on a set of 265/75R16 E-rated GY Duratracs on my 08 Taco. Not much more noise than the stock BFG rugged trail. No issues and look great. Only lost one mpg.