Better mpg's 15" or 16" wheels?

I'm currently running 265 75 16 bf goodridge a/t on tundra black steelies wheels. In my 2000 tacoma v6 Trd offroad 4x4. With a 3" lift kit. I'm getting 15.5 mpg's street and or highway. I'm considering going back to stock size tires. 31x10.5r15 bf goodridge a/t on stock tacoma wheels. Do you guys think it would make a difference in the mpg's? I noticed the wheels I have on there now are much more heavier than the stock wheels. Since it's my daily driver I'm trying to save as much gas as I can. Let me know what u guys think since I'm sure plenty of people have gone from 15" to 16" wheels.

 

Wide tires and the lift will affect mpg more. Weight or wheels is a factor, how much so depends on what kind of driving you do. More info is needed. Also, 15.5 seems a little low.. then again a 1st gen v6 doing a lot of stop n go driving isn't the best mpg-wise. Can you elaborate a bit on precisely what your driving conditions/habits are as well as share with us any and all mods you've done to the truck?

 

Only major difference in MPG's is how you drive and your tire size, wheels won't make a big enough difference to notice

 

Let's see i drive 30 miles a day. I would say like 10 miles on freeway rest on streets. I don't have a lead foot. I usually drive slow. I don't like abusing my cars. as far as modifications Ive installed a 3" old man emu lift kit. Installed 16" wheels. Oh it does have a camper that stands like 12" above the cab. It's an innovation camper. Awesome headroom when I'm camping . thats all the modifications I've done to it.

I've calculated the mpg's like 4 different times and always the same. Never gotten a check engine light. It has 102k miles.

 

The camper makes probably a big difference. I drive 30 miles a day, granted its all highway but up and down many hills and still get 18.5mpg per tank. I hardly go above 2k rpm, try that for a tank of gas and see how you do. I have heavier tires than you too but same size.

 

Yeah, at a foot over the height of your cab that camper is causing a hell of a lot of drag. I'd count yourself lucky to have such good MPG with it. MPG will likely be identical with an inch less diameter wheel.

 

At point where the camper meets with the cab. It has a taper. But I'm sure it still causes a drag. My next step is to remove the camper and give that a try. I got a good deal on those 265 75 15 tires. $100 for all 4 with 50% thread left. So I'll hold on to those tires. I just think with 15" wheels. My truck might look a little funny. So I'll leave the 16" for now

 

How much does the camper weigh? That could have a huge impact.

 

I'm not sure. I know me and my brother moved it to reseal it. And i didn't feel so heavy. By no means neither my brother or I are body builders

 

Having a load in the bed is going to have way more impact on milage than wheel diameter.

 

Just get a lighter wheel tire combo.

I run a 265/75/16 Load range C Duratrac tire on Aluminum wheels and get 16-18 mpg driving hard.

The weight of the wheels and tires make a difference more than people realize.

My wheels are around 22lb each tires are 44lbs each.

Your wheels are probably 26+lbs and tires are 55lbs or so.

So you're 15lbs heaver per corner or so, the truck has to work harder to spin those.