255/85 R16 Owners Experience

More braking force is required to stop. Slower to accelerate from a stop. I got a lesson in unsprung mass. That said, with these tires, I can haul ass on washboard trail and less vibrations are transmitted to cab.

 

Any new info on your backordered tires? I'm actually in the same boat with 4wd.com... Ordered on 9/14 and still on "national backorder".

 

WTF? I ordered mine a month and a half ago!

 

No new status! I actually got in a shouting match with the dude here in NC because he said "they will be here in 2 weeks", which was about 6 weeks ago. Not really sure what to do other than wait. I have him keeping on eye out for the new Dick Cepeks, if they come in any earlier, I'll take them. I just don't feel like throwing down more money for Toyo's. I guess it makes me fell a little better knowing I am not the only one in a holding pattern.

 

I finally talked to a helpful person at 4WP today. They called BFG and Dick Cepek. BFG said they couldn't give an ETA but they were producing another batch right now. The salesmans best guess was 3 weeks until they got more in. Dick Cepek said they are taking orders right now but not shipping out tires until the end of November... So sounds like they might be close to the same time but the Cepek's sounds like a more concrete time table. I think I'm going to switch my order over to the Dick Cepeks... I like the looks of them.

 

I'm starting to wonder if I made the wrong choice going to this size over the 265/75/16. The power loss is tolerable driving around town and on the freeway but i was up in the local foothills this past weekend (R.S.M and Lake Forest area for the locals). The power loss up there was substantial and pissed me off every time I stepped on the pedal. If I started out from a dead stop my rpm screamed up to 3000+ and hung in 4th the whole way until I crested. If those small hills caused such a power loss then i'll be screwed driving mountain passes this winter while loaded down with the family and all of our gear. I know that I can re-gear but i'm not into opening that can of worms nor spending the extra coin on it. Especially when I can spend that money on other mods for my truck. If anyone is on the fence on this size I hope this information helps you...these 255's will be for sale once I can afford another set of tires.

I was running the stock size of 265/70 prior to switching to these and had zero issues with power loss while loaded down. Can anyone verify what the difference in power loss difference will be if I go down to a 265/75?

 

I ran 265/75/R16 C range duratracs for 40K miles and i never once thought the truck was underpowered. IMO they are perfect for an auto stock geared truck. Also my speedo was always dead on with those tires.

 

Thanks man, I learned the hard way how under powered these really trucks are. I have owned all V8 trucks prior to the Tacoma and never had an issue when adding oversize tires. I'm going to research my options in the 265/75 size. I really want the ST Maxx but my thinking is that the E range will still be an issue due the weight.

I looked hi and low for a D-rated in this size but everything out there was a mud tire.

 

I didn't experience any fuel change with these it was pretty much the same as with the stock size tires. Most of my driving is around town and quick jumps on the freeway and I have yet to go on any long trips.

 

My truck is a 4cyl and I don't have power loss problems, but I should point out that I have a manual transmission so all of you in the auto boat should be wary of your gear shifts and rpm being fucky.

 

I think you will be okay, my 255/85-16 e rated tires feel fine on my 1st gen... and it has alot less horsepower. Ya there is a little less power, feel it most merging on highways but thats my only compliant.

 

I went from the 17" rim equivalent of 265 75 16 to a 17" rim equivalent of 255 85 16. If your truck's purpose is strictly for on road use and mountain passes, then yes, I think the 265 75 16 a better choice. Personally, I prefer the 255 85 16 for my needs, as the power loss seems negligible. For long mountain passes, I down shift to 4 and stay at 60-65 mph (2500-2700 rpm IIRC). No complaints here.

 

Cooper S/T 255.85.16 D

 

Cooper ST on 8x16 Method Countersteer wheels, 0 offse t.

 

I have had 255/85 Cooper ST tires for about a year, but have been driving on the 265/75 DuraTrac tires almost exclusively. I like the DuraTracs, great traction but they get chewed up pretty good in the rocks like Rug Road. I suspect they are soft compound.

My experience with the 255/85 Cooper ST has been mostly on the highway and it is all good, they are quiet, ride smooth and I have had no "squirming around" that some report on 255/85 tires even at 32 PSI inflation. The wheels currenty on the Coopers are 8x16 and not optimum offset so I get some rubbing. I have yet another set of wheels that will be perfect for 255/85's - the first gen alloy wheels but they are getting powder coated this week.

Back to the 255/85 Cooper ST's: What I did notice with the taller tires was loss of torque, so I swapped to 4.56 gears and it is like gaining 50 HP and 50 ft/lbs of torque. My truck is kinda heavy and not my daily driver so fuel mileage is of little concern to me. My truck has the V6 and auto transmission.

 

Thanks. I want my power back. I'm going to get gears... Just need more $$$

 

I am doing the Rug Road trip this weekend and will have a good feel for the off-road capabilities for these "skinnies" next week. Remember the Cooper ST are a fairly mild tread pattern. If I replace them I may well go to a more aggressive MT tread, but they are nearly virgin right now.

 

I have a 1st gen 4 banger with the cooper st maxx 255/85 and even hauling 500+lbs of stuff I made it coast to coast and back on 70... Western Colorado was the only time I really needed to go between 3rd and 4th gear on the freeway. 2nd and 3rd gen have more torque than me so don't sweat it brother.

 

i'm looking to purchase this size, but i'm having a hard time finding this size and the tread i want.

 

What kind of tread are you looking for? I've pretty much only seen these pizza cutters in mud/off road oriented tires.

I stumbled on a set of 255/80r17 BFG Mud Terrain Km2's on Craigslist for dirt cheap about 5 months ago and decided why not. They were the 4 rear tires on a dually and were worn nice and even. I drive A LOT of freeway. Yes the tires are loud and harsh on the street, but the kings make up for the tire stiffness and i just crank up the radio for the noise. I've taken these out in sand, dusty dirt, tacky mud, flooded trails and a bit of aired down rock crawling. They've haven't disappointed me once. Can't wait to try them out in the snow.

Yes, they kinda suck on wet pavement, but I just don't mash on the gas everywhere and it's fine. With the taller tire, there is quite a large decrease in my mileage so driving like a grandma is beneficial to my wallet.

Long story short, tall and skinny has so far been awesome