The SKINNY on skinny tires

Thanks to @YamaDirtrider I read the article and went with 255/75r17 duratrac on level 8 mk6 wheels. Couldn't be happier with the set up.

 

Looks awesome!

 

I agree about the toyo mts,but the tire being discussed above in comparison to the maxx is the toyo AT, "open country at 11", a way lighter and less aggressive tire. The toyos MT in 255 only comes in a 16" rim configuration, are 33.5" tall (maxx 32.8, toyo at11 33.1)and are extremely heavy comparatively.

 

Just to add to this discussion the section width (255, 285, etc) measures the entire width of the tire. some tires the tread may seem wider than others based on how the tires are made. A wider steel belt under the tread will create a wider tread pattern. You can find tires lets say in the 285 range with the same tread width as a 255. Just some food for thought. Also when airing down radials, which every tire discussed is I believe, reacts and deforms differently than a bias-ply. So if you want taller tires and cannot find one in the height you want look at some of the wider section width tires and compare the tread width with the smaller section width tread widths you may be surprised and not really see much if any difference if any at all in the tread width. Some tire manufacturers will publish tread width dimensions. Also the tables that were shared have dimensions of tires are based on a certain width wheel if you go wider than that wheel then you will have a slightly shorter tire than advertised and it will flatten out the tread a little more. Then if you go narrower your tire will be slightly taller and the tread will be slightly rounded over. There is a lot more to the science of this. The article that was shared barely scratches the surface and the writer states that but he is very much on a good track, I would of liked to seen him go further. BTW I don't know if you would call my tires the pizza cutters I'm running a 280/70R17 Duratrac.

 

Looks awesome poser!!!

 

Oops....lol

 

This was the quote, the top part is for replacing the torn les sgwab branded (think is cooper) AT tire. This would be my 3rd time, two sidewalls and now a large gash on the tread. Big price difference, also less aggressive sidewall/ shoulder lugs on the toyos. Plus alot lighter.

 

That ST Maxx quote is way overpriced, you can get them all over the net for less than $200/ea.

 

Try Discount Tire or whatever it's called on the West Coast

 

Yes i know i could likely get a better price at americas (discount)tire this was without doing any pricing research at all. Mentioned this in my first post above. Price isn't really the deciding factor unless I get a crazy cheap set used or something. Since you have to live with and look at tires for 3+ years its all about the right tire itself. I'm leaning toward the toyos just based on the 8 lb difference, as over 40k miles this will likely add up in gas / trips to gas station savings.
Also leaning towards tracking down a Craigs list set of 16s to get better price and selection. (Cooper at11, for instance). But for now I'm riding with a torn spare under the truck so there is some urgency.

 

I wish mine lasted that long!

 

I get what you are saying, just thought it was worth pointing out, you can get the ST maxx for around $900 mounted/ balanced. The toyo is an AT compared to the ST Maxx or Toyo RT or Nito RG which are hybrid tires, so maybe better for your purposes.

 

Good info, thanks. The toyos look pretty robust in terms of tread pattern and side ply, and have a less aggressive shoulder/side lugs but not by much. (The coopers are on the upper end of that look) they run skinny and tall as well.

 

These are my old Cooper maxx 285s from a few years ago

The toyos at11

 

Hmmmm the toyos RT are interesting, though they are 56lbs, (maxx 58, toyo at-11 50lbs). The tread pattern looks a tiny bit odd to me and wonder how it would be in snow with all those wide flat lugs. Maybe it's just the picture.

 

Argh les Schwab called back and the toyo AT-11 are backordered one month. Also quoted me 400+/tire for the RTs. Lol not happening

 

Yea I don't like the tread pattern. St maxx was flawless in the snow!!!

 

255/100R16 (9.00R16), Milittary tires probably very stiff and non compliant and meant for an extremely heavy vehicle but they are like 36" tall. May not be the best choice but an option. Oh and pretty expensive!

 

Trigger pulled. 255/80/17 Toyo AT-II. I found a local place says can have the toyos in this week, and for a better price than shwab. Shwab sucks for alot of reasons but they do have stores in the places i travel to, and were good about replacing cut tires.. Decided to go with them over the maxx for these reasons - taller by .3", lighter by 8lbs. Some price savings but not too much. I did some research and the actual dollar savings (gas costs) when running a smaller/lighter tire are insignificant ( <few hundred dollars a year) but this will save me accelerating power, wear and tear on my bearings and whatever else is affected by adding heavier tires. And most importantly time. Several less trips to the gas station over a few years (my likely faulty math says 5 less trips/yr than if i added 285s) can really add up. Say the tires go 45k, 5x gas station stops x 3 yrs = 15 at say 10mins each, wow theres a few hours there. This is extra time I will be able to spend with my family. Priceless.

 

Good choice, the toyo is the only AT in that size, and toyo makes good tires.