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Below is a short test I did this afternoon, comparing the loaded radius of two different MT tires, one 255/85 and the other 265/75.
Vehicle:
2006 Toyota V8 4Runner w/OME lift.
Tires:
Both tires were mounted Toyota FJ Cruiser 16x7.5" wheels.
Maxxis Bighorn MT 255/85R16D with 17/32 of tread depth.
Weights: Bighorn only 57-lbs With TRD wheel 81.5-lbs
Toyo Open Country MT 265/75R16E with 16/32 of tread depth.
Weights: Toyo MT only 60.5-lbs With TRD wheel 85-lbs
Purpose:
To confirm or disprove prior assumptions and data from other loaded radius tests comparing 255/85 and 265/75R16 tires. I had thought/was hoping that as the tires were aired-down, the hight advantage of the 255/85 would be reduced as the stiffer sidewall Toyo would flex and sag less.
Procedure:
I have done similar test before and lowered all four tires. This time I only used one position, the right-rear tire/wheel. I was cautious to not use the front end where the IFS would not return to the same ride height after being lifted and lowered by a floor jack to change the tires.
First the measurements were taken with the Toyo MT on the car. The 4Runner was jacked-up at the right side of the rear axle, the Toyo tire/wheel assembly was removed, the Maxxis MT 255/85 added and the car was lowered in place.
The distances were measured from the bottom of the right-rear shock mount to the floor.
Obviously this is a comparison of two specific tires and not necessarily representative of other 255/85 or 265/75 tires.
Data:
Maxxis MT 255/85
35-psi- 10 15/16
33.5- 10 14/16
25- 10 12/16
20-10 10/16
15- 10 6/16
10- 10 0/16
8- 9 10/16
5- 9 0/16
Toyo MT 265/75
35-psi- 10 6/16
33.5- 10 5/16
25- 10 4/16
20- 10 2/16
15- 9 14/16
10- 9 9/16
8- 9 5/16
5- 8 15/16
Thoughts:
I have long wanted to ‘love’ the Toyo MT, but I really only like them most of the time. If they make this tire in a 255/85R16D I have vowed to buy two sets. I used to own a set of 285/75 Toyo MTs as well. I like that they have massive sidewall lugs and the casing is super stout. The tires are very well made and require very little weight to balance. However, past experience has showed me that for a given PSI the tires flex less than other tires and they ride like the firm E-range tires they are. Good if you need it but I didn’t really need the E-Load-Range for my Jeep or now for my 4Runner. On my F350 (I removed them from the truck yesterday) they are okay, but still a little stiff, I prefer 255/85 D-range tires which still carry 3,000-lbs per axle.
I have also looked for motivation or justification to use and prefer the 265/75 size over my beloved 255/85s. There are so many more choices for 265 tires that it would really make tire shopping and buying easier. It isn't happening.
I generally like to run about 15-PSI on slower speed trails. I did use 20-PSI on a recent red rock trail and the Maxxis Bighorns performed very well.
While airing down to 20-PSI and below, the Bighorns squeaked as they spread out on the smooth concrete floor, resisting and gripping. They did the same upon re-inflation. The Toyos did not. Both tires are siped but the Bighorns feel and appear softer and more flexible. As I have seen with other sets of flexible 255s, I need to air-down less to get similar off-road performance than I do with the very stiff Toyo MTs.
Except at the ridiculously low PSI of 5, the 255s retain their height advantage. I can't help but love and stay devoted to my 255/85s
Vehicle:
2006 Toyota V8 4Runner w/OME lift.
Tires:
Both tires were mounted Toyota FJ Cruiser 16x7.5" wheels.
Maxxis Bighorn MT 255/85R16D with 17/32 of tread depth.
Weights: Bighorn only 57-lbs With TRD wheel 81.5-lbs
Toyo Open Country MT 265/75R16E with 16/32 of tread depth.
Weights: Toyo MT only 60.5-lbs With TRD wheel 85-lbs
Purpose:
To confirm or disprove prior assumptions and data from other loaded radius tests comparing 255/85 and 265/75R16 tires. I had thought/was hoping that as the tires were aired-down, the hight advantage of the 255/85 would be reduced as the stiffer sidewall Toyo would flex and sag less.
Procedure:
I have done similar test before and lowered all four tires. This time I only used one position, the right-rear tire/wheel. I was cautious to not use the front end where the IFS would not return to the same ride height after being lifted and lowered by a floor jack to change the tires.
First the measurements were taken with the Toyo MT on the car. The 4Runner was jacked-up at the right side of the rear axle, the Toyo tire/wheel assembly was removed, the Maxxis MT 255/85 added and the car was lowered in place.
The distances were measured from the bottom of the right-rear shock mount to the floor.
Obviously this is a comparison of two specific tires and not necessarily representative of other 255/85 or 265/75 tires.
Data:
Maxxis MT 255/85
35-psi- 10 15/16
33.5- 10 14/16
25- 10 12/16
20-10 10/16
15- 10 6/16
10- 10 0/16
8- 9 10/16
5- 9 0/16
Toyo MT 265/75
35-psi- 10 6/16
33.5- 10 5/16
25- 10 4/16
20- 10 2/16
15- 9 14/16
10- 9 9/16
8- 9 5/16
5- 8 15/16
Thoughts:
I have long wanted to ‘love’ the Toyo MT, but I really only like them most of the time. If they make this tire in a 255/85R16D I have vowed to buy two sets. I used to own a set of 285/75 Toyo MTs as well. I like that they have massive sidewall lugs and the casing is super stout. The tires are very well made and require very little weight to balance. However, past experience has showed me that for a given PSI the tires flex less than other tires and they ride like the firm E-range tires they are. Good if you need it but I didn’t really need the E-Load-Range for my Jeep or now for my 4Runner. On my F350 (I removed them from the truck yesterday) they are okay, but still a little stiff, I prefer 255/85 D-range tires which still carry 3,000-lbs per axle.
I have also looked for motivation or justification to use and prefer the 265/75 size over my beloved 255/85s. There are so many more choices for 265 tires that it would really make tire shopping and buying easier. It isn't happening.
I generally like to run about 15-PSI on slower speed trails. I did use 20-PSI on a recent red rock trail and the Maxxis Bighorns performed very well.
While airing down to 20-PSI and below, the Bighorns squeaked as they spread out on the smooth concrete floor, resisting and gripping. They did the same upon re-inflation. The Toyos did not. Both tires are siped but the Bighorns feel and appear softer and more flexible. As I have seen with other sets of flexible 255s, I need to air-down less to get similar off-road performance than I do with the very stiff Toyo MTs.
Except at the ridiculously low PSI of 5, the 255s retain their height advantage. I can't help but love and stay devoted to my 255/85s
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