thinking about 235/85R16

I am currently running the stock Dunlops and want something a bit better...

The Michelin M/S2 in the LT235/85R16 E seem to offer much greater tire life, load rating and fuel economy. And they will replace the stock tires without a lift...

What would the downside be?

Howard

 

dont sound like any downside to me. you should put 3" under it and go to 285/75/16 but the route your going i dont see any bad things about it

 

E rated tires will be pretty stiff but otherwise I don't think there is any downside in regards to functionality.

 

yea, I have E rated tires on the 62 Town Wagon...LT225/75R16 and I can't wear them out...

I am thinking the service life and improved fuel economy will be worth the decrease in ride comfort

and I am not that big into lifting vehicles, unless I have a real need to...an add a leaf is one thing.

Howard

 

not super skinny, under 1/2" narrower that the existing 245/75R16 stock tires...

wide tires are not the answer to all problems...

 

I like the skinny look and really want 255/85/16 but I don't want to lift it or do any trimming.

I have 245's as well, but my choice is between the 265/75 and the 235/85. They are both nearly the same height but the 235's are about 1" narrower.

 

I guess in Newfoundland, you would want those in snow tread with studs?

 

i bet it will look great.

is there a taller 245 tire?

 

The compound on the heavier LT tires will get harder over time so, although they might have a lot of tread left, the traction is greatly reduced. My dad went through the same thing with several sets of tires on his diesel. They'd wear fine to a point, then it seemed like they stopped wearing down but they'd spin easily and were scary in the rain.

 

That is common to all tires...while they might have tread, after five years or so, they should be scrapped. I have scrapped many a motorcycle tire that looked fine, but was too old to have good grip.

 

You got it. Probably a studded duratrac.

 

Oh good, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. Discount Tires Direct has them at a good price, Sam's has them, but won't sell them to me since they are the "wrong size"

Howard

 

Make sure to post some pics when/if you get them. Help the rest of us make up our minds.

 

I hate when companies pull that crap... Yes, I realize they're not the correct size. No, I don't care. Hell, you're the customer, I never understood companies that wouldn't take your money so you could buy what YOU want.

 

In this case, failure to understand that the change in tire aspect ratio and width isn't significant. After a series of deadly van/SUV roll overs directly related to tire size, quality, and maintenance, the deep pocket companies get very, very nervous. If all four tires match, and match the requirements printed on the door jam, liability gets shifted from the vendor who sold the tires to the company that made the tire AND the company that designated that specific sized tire. I used to teach product liability law to design Safety Professionals.

I could just tell Sams the tires are for a ford F250 and just bring the rims in (while running my winter tires), or just order them through a mail order source or one of the local tire shops in town .

Using a local shop in town will cost a few more dollars, but the Firestone shop that maintains my company car is awfully good to me.

 

I put a set of studded duratracs in the 285/75R17 size on a buddies lifted jeep and the ONLY thing that beats them is a F-150 with lug tires and chains.

I will probably get duratracs with studs when my current studded snowtires wear out...at 3k a season, it might be a while...typically, we only need them for a few months here.

 

Has anyone noticed big differences in offroad capability since switching to this tall tire?? I read an article saying that a skinny tire helps.

 

I don't even know if you would be able to tell the difference in width with the naked eye lol. 235/85/16 comes out to 9.3 inches wide and the 245/75/16 comes out to 9.6.

 

What will be obvious is the change in tire aspect ratio...and it looks like tires are on the budget now. I took off the summer tires on Sunday and at 28k miles, not much in way of shoulders left. It must be these twisty roads.

Howard