Tire Dilemma!

LT 235/85/16 BFG T/A KO2s (Load Range E) or 265/75/16 Goodyear Duratrac (Load Range C)?

My current tire is a P265/70/16 Michelin LT A/T 2s, which has been a good tire (no complaints really). I commute 20 miles, 95% interstate everyday and am getting out once or twice a weekend per month on forest roads / trails / etc.

Either tire will fit on stock 1st gen suspension from my research. I am ok with losing 1 - 2 MPG going to a heavier tire. What I am really after is durability of a tire when out and about. I believe E is overkill for our trucks but I really have loved all the BFGs I have had in the past including a set of 265/75/16s KO1 on a 3rd Gen 4Runner. I have had the 265/75/16 GY Duratrac in a C on said 3rd Gen 4Runner and did not like them... ended up trading to the BFGs.

Would you...
A. Keep the P rated Michelins and have the slight anxiety of blowing a tire when off road (do not have matching spare).
B. Nut up and go with the tire you've had great luck with (BFG). $732 / 49.2 lbs
C. Give the Duratracs another go, all while saving a bit of weight & ride quality. $828 / 45 lbs

Thanks

 

IMHO, I would not run a 265/75. The tire is about 6 to 10lbs heavier than the equivalent 235/85. Your truck will be much, much slower. Additionally, the taller 235/85 tire will kill your torque, and if you are like me, will really hurt mpg's because the motor has to work harder to get the truck up to speed.

If I were you, I'd strongly encourage you to go with the 245/75-16's, and based on how you are driving I'd encourage you to look at the E-rated versions of these two tires. Both have 55k miles warranties. BFG does not have a mileage warranty and I'm hearing that they are not lasting so well at all.

The Cooper AT3/ATP - Same tire, but the ATP is Discount Tire/America's Tire version with a slightly more chunky tread pattern.
The Falken (Japanese Tire) just released the AT3W, it's luggier, but comes with a 55k mile warranty, and it's getting rave reviews.

Honestly, I think you'd be happiest with the Cooper AT3. It's a really conservative AT tire with great highway manners and life - Winner of Overland Journals Best Tire award. http://expeditionportal.com/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/ I really don't like the Michi's for any kind of off road duty. It's purely a highway tire IMHO. (and they look wimpy).

If you really love the big, chunky look of the Duratrac, I'd actually steer to towards the Cooper ST Maxx. No mileage warranty, but the overall ratings of the tire seems to be a bit better. Longer life, better performance over the life of the tire, etc.

Personally, I'm due for new tires. And I will be ordering up a set of the Falken AT3W's (Wear, Winter and Water).

dp

 

Interesting. I know I'm second gen, but I went from 265/65/17 bfg ko (which I absolutely hated for anything other than dry pavement) to 265/75/16 duratracs. I have been really pleased with them over the last 30k km, and they look like they have a tonne of life left. We get a lot of rain here, snow in winter, lots of hills and I spend about 40% of my time on the dirt.

My next tires will most likely be Cooper St Maxx in 255/85/16.

Maybe that helps a little?

 

Just throwing this out there, as I was in the same position last year. I decided to go with a new tire from Kumho, the AT51 in 265/75/16. They aren't as aggressive as most ATs out there, but I also commute over 40mi everyday on the highway.

When I got them, there were no reviews so I took a chance. Probably the best ALL AROUND tire I've ever had. Awesome in the snow/rain, good on pavement, and so far great off-road. They are on the cheaper side, but still have a 6yr/55,000mi warranty. They also come in P-rated size (which is what I have).

 

If my local tire shop carried the Cooper ST Maxx in the 235/85/16 flavor I would more than likely give it that a go. I think my plan moving forward is going to roll with the 235/85/16 BFG KO2s and for whatever reason that does not work out I roll switch to the 265/75/16 Duratracs.

Thanks for your input!

 

I went from stock size BFG AT KO (original style) 265/70R16 to brand new KO2 235/85R16 about 3 weeks ago now. They are marginally taller and definitely more narrow than the old tires on the same 16x7 TRD alloys.

My mileage has gone up slightly, about 1-to-2 MPG on average and the most recent tank was almost 20 MPG. That's about 3 MPG more than I usually get and is atypical. I don't notice any real difference in acceleration or braking with my 4.0L V6 and stick shift. The speedometer is off about 2 MPH at 60 MPH, so that matches the theoretical increase of 3% that the calculators say.

They don't seem more stiff but that's because the 265/70R16 I had before was also a load range E and if anything the ride is improved because there's more rubber (my old tires were well worn) and a bit more sidewall. It's a little noisier, nothing offensive. I have them at 37 psi right now.

I'm running lift so there's zero issue with clearance anywhere. I can't speak to a stock height because I put them on after lifting.

So far I'm very happy, the traction in rain was fine and they have been great in gravel and mild dirt tracks so far. Haven't done anything more difficult than that off highway yet, maybe this weekend.

I will say that 7" wide rims are the limit IMHO and a 6" would be better. The tread is about the same width as the rim. I'd say the only thing I don't like appearance-wise is that there's not enough backspace with the stock TRD wheels so they look a little odd. So a little bit of a spacer or wheels with less backspace might be worthwhile. I'm working on it but until then it's the stock alloys. One upside is that the fender flares and mud flaps completely cover the tread.

 

All things being equal, they are 3.5-inches taller. Thats over 11% difference! Thats huge when you are talking about gearing. You are probably getting better mileage because they are so much narrower and lighter than the fat OEM 265s. Making this a very viable option for someone who doesn't tow. And the meaty AT tire looks really good on your truck in 235 width, not too skinny at all. I personally really hate the widballoonoon tire look. The tall/square "pizza cutter" look is much more legit (IMHO). I like it!

dp

 

@canyonchaser - The 235/85R16 is about 32x9.25 and a 265/70R16 is about 31x10.4. Not sure what you mean by 11% difference. The circumference and height difference are both 3.7%, the width is 11% narrower.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=265-70r16-235-85r16

I run pizza cutters precisely because they get better mileage and I find they work better for me on snow packed roads. I ran 33x9.50 and 33x10.50 on the old truck on 15" rims. It also helps since the 2nd gen 6 speed stick doesn't have a tall enough overdrive IMHO, so every little bit I think helps. And I agree, they look more appropriate on Toyotas. Definitely on older ones.

 

Yep, you are correct. I must have done the math in my head based on a 265/60 not a 265/70 - thats the only way I got back to 11-percent. Woops. But in any case skinny tires still rule!

dp

 

I have 235/85-16 ST Maxx tires on my truck. Very happy with them so far. The 255/85-16 size was tempting, but chains won't fit on them. The 235 can still just fit chains. I haven't checked my mileage, so I can't comment on that. The truck still has factory suspension and I'm happy with how it drives. The Cooper AT3 may be a better choice if you drive mostly paved roads, but still want good off highway ability.

 

Stoked.
New tires! by Mason Obray, on Flickr

 

I like the way you think. Deciding between 235 vs 255 and the room for chains was on my mind, too!

 

The at3 and the atp are definitely not the same tire! By looks alone you see they are different. Ive had both and they are 2 different tires