Downsize my tires

Looking into new tires and considering downsizing since I am mostly a highway driver now with a few off-road excursions (sand or light trails).

I have over 60k on Nitto Terra Grapplers 285 60/18. Love the look, but they are heavy and gas mileage sucks.

At the tire shop they recommended 265 60/18 Nitto Crosstek.

Two questions:

I want a smaller tire since my current set-up rubs. Any size recommendation?

Anyone recommend a decent tire for highway and light terrain?

Overall I trust the input of the Tacoma users over a tire salesman.

 

what size lift do you have? i ran 265/75/16 BFG AT's and they are amazing. quiet grips amazing when dry ok when wet and pretty good off road

 

I'm running the Nitto Terra Grapplers in a 275/65 R18 without rubbing (3" of lift). Going skinnier on the Nittos will help a lot, as will a more street-able tread pattern. I think your tire guy is right on if the price is good.

 

are 65 wider or skinnier then say 70?

 

That's the height only. The width is the 265/285 part

 

If I am not mistaken, larger diameter tires are better on the highway because it covers more distance per revolution than smaller diameter tires. It's the streets that you're gonna suffer mpg as it takes more effort to rotate them from stop. Inertia takes care of that on the highway.

 

This is my current set-up:

Bilstein 5100's all around, Toyota TSB & Toytec aal-tsb. With the billie's at 2" and the TSB and aal-tsb I'm at 3"
Nitto Terra Grapplers 285-60/18 KMC XD HOSS Machined 18"

 

tire guy is offering Nitto Crosstek 265 60/18 for approx. $670. was wondering if i should stick with Nitto even though I don't know anyone who has used the Crosstek.

 

If you're mostly highway and your tires are still good, I suggest you stick with your current tires because it should suit you better going 65/70mph. Think of 285 as a quarter and 265 a nickel. One full rotation with the quarter will get farther than the nickel and this is why people actually have better mileage with larger tires highway driving. Due to the heavier weight and the size, stop and go traffic will make your engine work harder thus needing more power (gas) to rotate it. Nittos as good tires though I have not know anybody to use the Crosstek yet. If you must get smaller highway tires, I suggest you look at P rated tires and one that has better thread wear warrantly like Firestone Destination. Also I think Big O tires and American Tire Depot is currently doing a buy 3 get one free special on tires.