Tire help - please!!!

[Schattenjager]

My beloved 235/85/16 BFG AT's are GREAT tires - but with the limits of my IFS the shoes need taller soles - so I am going to go with 255/85/16's

There are a lot of threads on this size and some of the tires offered in it. If BFG made the AT in 255/85 there would be no problem, but it seems like most offerings are MT's And I just don't have the room to store an extra set of wheels and tires, so this decision is going to be a daily driver one - one that needs to be thought out well. Just now I have analysis paralysis and need the help of this august body to guide my thinking.

The above poll shows the tires I am considering. They are pretty spendy and I worry about longevity. My BFG AT's have about 18K miles on them and look new. Of all the above, the Coopers read the best stat wise, but at $230.00 per and some sketchy reviews from Down under, They are my least favorite pick now, but I include them for your input.

If you help me out here with a vote, please give me a sentence or two as to you thinking. Thanks for the help. I hope to have decision by Friday.

 

[Hltoppr]

I voted BFG MT...for several reasons:

1. Great longevity...I get 50K a set, even on my Cruisers...
2. Durability....Thousands of miles of bad roads in the US and Mexico/Baja and never a problem...only carry one spare...and never needed it!
3. Great traction when you need it....cuz' getting bogged just bites...

Now...they're not the best on snow packed roads or ice...but I just drive slower.

HTH

-H-

 

[jim65wagon]

Of course I had to vote for the Coopers. Bad reviews aside, it's been an excellent tire and looks like it'll have a decently long life. The sidewalls are scuffed up but there is very little in the way of chipping and I haven't lost any chunks at all. I read all of those reviews before I bought to and; like the BFG there seems to be no middle ground - people either loved em; or they were the flat out worst tire anyone could own. Unless a better siped, AT comes along in 255/85 I'll buy these again.

 

[HMR]

2 questions...

Schattenjager- Will the 255/85's fit without doing any trimming?

How will it affect your highway cruising? When my '05 is loaded for camping, I can only stay in 5th gear if the road is level and wind is calm. I often have to drop down to 4th (and accept bad MPG) to keep my cruise control from constantly shifting between 4th and 5th. I also want bigger tires but I'm concerned my engine will be working harder on those long highway stretches between home and the trailhead. Your thoughts?

 

[mountainpete]

I voted for the BFG's.

I had mine siped from new and the traction has been simply superb. Excellent wet traction and grip on rocks is great. So far, not cuts of chunking either. However, this winter on the ice will tell the full story. If my experience through the last spring/summer is any indication, the extra siping will be worth it.

Pete

 

[kcowyo]

You sure you want an MT for a DD in LoDo, going into winter?

Every review I've read in the Aussie 4wd mag raves, and I mean raves about the Coopers.

What does going from a 235 to a 255, gain you, less than an inch and a half in height? So you'll only net 3/4 of an inch of extra clearence?

Hey, as long as it keeps the dog happy, right? :beer:

 

[slooowr6]

Going from 32" (235/85/16) to 33" (255/85/16). You get 1/2" more clearance in theory.

 

[slooowr6]

Schattenjager- Will the 255/85's fit without doing any trimming?

How will it affect your highway cruising? When my '05 is loaded for camping, I can only stay in 5th gear if the road is level and wind is calm. I often have to drop down to 4th (and accept bad MPG) to keep my cruise control from constantly shifting between 4th and 5th. I also want bigger tires but I'm concerned my engine will be working harder on those long highway stretches between home and the trailhead. Your thoughts?

[hijack]
There will be a noticeable impact on highway cruising. Stock tire is ~30.5"(245/75/16 or 265/70/16). With 32" you add about 4% to the radius, 33" you add about 7.8% to the radius. You torque/drive at the tire surface will be reduce by that much. To address this power lost you'll lost some mpg. To compensate the power lost you can.
1) Re gear, the truck will run at higher RPM.
2) Put a supercharger or turbo to generate more HP.
Both method are not cheap. 32" is a good/popular comprise. I'm in the same boat, TRD S/C is on my radar but have not make any decision yet.

[/hijack]

 

[Nullifier]

I run the Maxxis now after having run BFG and I think the maxxis is a better tire. here is a link to select tire in AZ I got mine from their ebay store for the but here is a link to their web site witht he maxxis.

http://selecttire.com/detail.aspx?ID=9991

an ebay co

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Set-Of-4-LT-255-85-R16-8-Ply-Maxxis-Bighorn-Mud-Tires_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66474QQihZ012QQitemZ220169106147QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[tacollie]

I voted the BFG's because that is what I have and they are great. I had the center lugs sipped before I ever mounted them. It is worth the loss of power in my opinion. They do great in just about everything. The only time they suck is ice. Some tires are better on ice than others and the MT isn't one of them. That is my only complaint. I will buy them again.

 

[Moody]

I voted Big O XT. I have just done the third rotation, and they are wearing great. They are an aggressive tire, so you'll hear them, but they are siped, and stick well to slickrock in Moab. I have been very impressed.
There they are on my truck:

 

[7wt]

You sell out! Just after I thought this 235 thing was going to take off you go and jump ship. A guy can't count on anything these days!


Now that that is over, I say the BFG MT's.

 

[Schattenjager]

Thanks for the opinions! As far as gain - the tires I have now are 31.7 and the new ones will be 33.3 an increase of 1.6 inches. Divide that in half and you get a .8 inch increase or a 4/5 of an inch for you English types. Yeah - this is not a lot. There have been times where that little extra would have been nice. The tires are just one component in an overall system. Every positive gain will hopefully compliment the others. 1/2 inch here, three inches there, next you thing you know you have the right blend. Hopefully.

You sell out! Just after I thought this 235 thing was going to take off you go and jump ship. A guy can't count on anything these days!
Now that that is over, I say the BFG MT's.

Yeah - I mean really - who would be dumb enough to buy a set of 235/85's and leave them on their truck?!?! Talk about gullible. I got those as a testing type thing. Really... :cow:

All kidding aside, I love the 235/85's - I just need some extra clearance with this crap for off road IFS. .8 inches is worth the move, I think. 35" tires just wont work. Yet.

 

[slooowr6]

Any update on what tire you end up getting?? :wavey: