The SKINNY on skinny tires

My old piece running SSR's in 31x10.5 size, like the 35's the actual diameter is larger than advertised at 31.5. This little rig was a ton of fun other than the continuous front diff issues.

 

here is another interco swamper tire on the tracker... 31x9.5 TSL radials. the SSR's were much better in every condition

 

Cooper S/T Maxx 255/85R16 installed. Coming from KO2s 265/75R16. Really like the Maxx

 

Followed the thread for a while but finally time for new tires, 14 off road with 3 inch Toytec lift looking at BFG KM3 in 255/85/16 anyone run anything close or have any thoughts? Running the 3rd gen off road wheels if that makes a difference. Thanks!

 

What did u do for a spare

 

Confession and Comparison Time:
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After 45,000 miles on my 255/85/16 Toyo Open Country MTs I decided to switch to the 285/75/16 BFG KO2. I debated the switch for a while and ultimately I wanted to see if there was really a noticeable difference.

For context, I had a 2016 TRD Offroad with OME suspension and Total Chaos UCAs.

Right off the bat I noticed the following:

1. The 285s were noticeable quieter than the 255s. No shocker there considering the 285s are an all-terrain tire and the 255s are a mud terrain.

2. Switching to the 285s I did notice a slight MPG increase, but I think this was attributed to the Toyo MT being a very heavy tire and the BFG KO2 being slightly lighter. In theory if all things were created equal, the 255s should have been more fuel efficient. But we are comparing apples to oranges with AT to MT.

3. The 285s RUBBED like crazy. I ended up doing a CMC and reworking my alignment to tolerate it. I really didn't think that the extra inch of tire width would create that much rubbing. Oops.

4. While more to do with the tire type/brand - the Toyo MTs were noticeable smoother off-road and in inclement conditions. Shocking there, I would have thought the KO2 would have been better in sloppy road conditions.

5. I IMMEDIATELY MISSED MY SKINNY TIRES.

6. The 285/75/16 full size spare fit under my bed...I guess that 1/2 inch difference in height really helped?

I wish @Bfgoodrich made a 255/85/16 KO2 to really compare.

Not sure if this is helpful to any of y'all, but if you stress as much as I do over tire selection it should at least give some feedback.

Enjoy!

 

Wait I thought you sold your truck lol?

 

I did. But I had been meaning to post this for a while and finally had the time. I may not have my truck anymore but I'd like to stay involved. I love the Tacoma and Toyota Family!

 

haha no worries! Thanks for still being involved here!

 

Lol, I was going to ask if it was a RC...


Scroll down, and sure enough it is.


I could use that cap, on my PM RC.

 

Great to get that input! I feel better about my purchase.

I will add my Observation- new tires are almost always quieter. My BFG AT -quiet but by the end where I was running low on tread and the tire siping has disappeared(note most tires don’t have full depth sipping) noisy. My DIck Cepek MT tires when new were quieter even with its slight hum.

So just a point to those looking at tire reviews in general - after tires have been heat cycled-age the rubber loses it elatisity. The partial depth sipping is gone creating less flex and bigger blocks of tread -your older tires get noisier when compared to new off the shelf products.

 

Ok im on board the skinny tire train i went with firestone destination mt2 at 235/85r16. I appreciate all the information from op!

 

I’m running a five tire/wheel rotation.

 

Thanks for the great report, @LadyRed .

The 255/85R16 E load range mud tires are definitely overkill for our little trucks. I'm really hoping that BFG will introduce a lighter D load range of the KM3. Or even better, a D load range 255/85R16 KO2. That would be an easy choice for anyone looking to install 33s.

 

There are always the ko2 34x10.7r17’s, same diameter as the Toyo’s at 33.5! Pretty good option for the guys that have stock 17 inch rims.

 

The price on the ko2 34" is ridiculous given that it isn't a 34. Most people measure 33.1-33.3. I would love to hear BFGs idea on why that tire commands a $100 premium over others in a similar size.

 

I’ve heard, but up here in Canada the Toyo’s are pretty pricey also when compared to other tires. 4 of them cost me $1550! The manufacturers know they have a real odd/special size with these two particular tires. If the st Maxx’s were them same height I wonder what cooper would be charging for them

 

Bones are for the dogs man. We gotta have some meat on the bone.. Nah it look nice rho

 

Love them 255/85/16 stmaxx bp51 med dakar

 

Toyo's are spendy from Schwab's here, but if you look at the 34" KO2 it's priced at $345/tire (which is sized pretty close to other brands 255/80r17 instead of a 34" like it claims to be). That's $100 per tire more than Nittos, $90 more than KM3, and $120 more than ST Maxx. You can find the Toyo MT which is way beefier with more rubber for $230-250 on Amazon all the time.

I would love if they offered a skinny 33 that wasn't undersized at normal prices. But I can't justify $400 more for KO2 over any of the aforementioned tires.