Advantages of a smaller tire?

Everyone want to put the biggest tires they can on their trucks, and I see the reasons for doing that. Looks better, more ground clearance, etc, but is there any reason you wouldn't want this? Are there scenarios in an off road setting where smaller tires might be advantageous? It seems to me more upward travel would be allowed with a smaller tire in the wheel well and that might be good for something.

Just curious if anyone has any thoughts/experience about this.

 

Not for off-roading but smaller tires definitely will give you faster acceleration

 

All other things constant, larger tires will give you less braking force (same torque/larger tire radius=less force). There is also increased risk of rollover. That said, these effects are minimal. Depends on your purposes, but in many cases, the benefits outweigh the risks.

https://www.aamva.org/uploadedFiles...izedTiresOnAlteredHeightVehicles_Findings.pdf

 

In general no, not much. Using Tacoma as the reference point. Yes Torque. 3rd gen has very little low end torque, bigger diameter wheels need more torque to move. Now small diameter wheels have more difficulty getting over the same obstacles as larger diameter, so one plays off the other. But IMO the 3rd gen gearing is at its absolute limit with the OEM diameter wheels, no way I’d go larger without re-gearing.

 

I had 235 85 16 (32") tires on my reg cab forever. Heavy 10 ply, shit gas mileage, rode rough, robbed all my power....I recently put some original sized 245 75 16 (29.5")? 4 ply aggressive all terrains back on and couldn't be happier. Mileage back up to over 20 mpg, smooth as silk on highway, still goes great in the mud (pulled two people out so far). I can cruise at 75-80 again and actually drive up hills and maintain my speed. The best thing about keeping small tires is when the shit hits the fan, you can put it flat on the floor and not break anything.

 

The only place where 'smaller' might be more beneficial is when skinnier

I've heard a lot of arguments that 255 width 33s will be better than wider in many types of terrain. Just less tire width gives less resistance.


But otherwise no a smaller tire doesn't have a benefit off road.

 

From what I can tell... lowering the Tacoma and installing smaller tires makes the truck go faster:

 

Other than it doesn't wear stuff out faster. Which is really more of a maintenance benefit anyways. So nevermind

 

Advantages of a smaller tire? Typically they cost less. As for small tire usage, it depends upon how you will use the vehicle.

 

Is he wearing a wifebeater, or am I imagining things?

 

I saw a guy in lowered silverado with large tires revving, slowing, revving, slowing etc on a frontage road then sparks like that started flying. I was far enough back that nothing hit me but the rear diff cracked in half. The tube that spins (transfer case I believe?) was connected to half of the rear diff was the only thing holding it as it dragged on the pavement. That thing was glowing red hot. Im talking red like like it was melting. I have fun laughing at all the low trucks in my area.

 

There plenty of 2.7L tacomas in my area that people use for work. Ive seen pool service people, electricians, plumbers, etc with 2.7Ls and small car sized tires. Im guessing since they drive around to people homes/businesses they can benefit from the MPGs.

 

My snows are skinnier but the same circumference and height.
I can’t think of any reason to go smaller/shorter other than fitting through a lower garage door or wanting to see more miles on your odometer then you’ve actually travelled?

 

I live in Nevada and drive dirt roads everyday. I don't rock crawl. I'm on my third Tacoma and have always used 245/75/16 Destination AT tires. They seem to give me good protection from sharp rocks and cacti without sacrificing gas mileage. My ground clearance is sufficient for what I do in a 4X2 truck. When I venture into the real outback, say the Black Rock Desert or Sheldon Wildlife Refuge I carry a second spare tire, shovel, etc.

 

Smaller tires are lighter and therefor have less rotational mass. Staying at or around the stock tire size vs going bigger yields better gas millage, better acceleration, better braking performance. In other words, the stock tire size gives better all around performance vs a bigger tire.

The only advantage to BIGGER tires are better off-road performance. My guess is that 80% of the people on this forum go bigger only for the look.

 

Thanks, lots of good info in this thread already. Much appreciated guys.

 

Looks, looks and more looks. Stock Tacoma is capable of navigating 99% of the terrain you’ll see if you care to browse the the where have you off-roaded truck thread. Now tire type i.e. mud, all terrain etc... is something else.

 

@DVexile

 

So true

 

Definitely