Advantages of a "Big" Tire?

I've recently been looking into new tires for my truck. I personally prefer the look of a lift on my truck over the look of big tires that I have seen on other trucks. My question is are there any major advantages to having a bigger tire over a smaller tire on and off road? something like 265/70r16 v. 285/70r16

Thanks for the help!

 

Big tires: lower mpg, fender chopping, increased cost, more stress on driveline. Slight ground clearance increase, ego boost.

 

Wide tires offer "flotation" which is great on loose botomless sand and "bottomless" snow. Most other terrain is better handled by the Tall & skinny fitment.

Remember that if you use a substantially taller tire your resulting torque to the ground (power) suffers unless you regear to numerically larger ratio ring and pinion gears in your rear axle (AND front axle on a 4x4).

If you are going for a specific look then let that guide your choice. But honestly a great tread pattern goes a long way toward improving off-road capability, and swap them out when they get worn beyond 1/2 tread.

 

Bitches...bitches love big tires

 

^i think that says it all.

 

+ Big tires go over stuff easier. And have more contact patch.

- Harder to stop, harder to get moving.

 

Don't forget about the most important thing (for offroad anyways) which is getting over obstacles easier.

 

When it comes to tires, the bigger they are, they better your truck will be.

 

They fill in bigger holes.

 

Thank you everyone for the replies and help! I think I'm going to stay with the same size tire as I have now. Seeing the effects on my brothers FJ Cruiser after he put on 295/70r17's on a 3in lift I think I'll stick with the smaller size.

 

I just recently ordered a set of 255/75r17 nitto trail grapplers! They get in sometime this week can't wait to get them on. I decided to go with the taller and skinnier look for the on and off road advantages

 

Nice.