Tire Upgrade and Gearing Advice

Hey Guys,

I'm trying to look for some advice on choosing between 285/75R16 or 255/85R16 for my next set of tires. I've been trying to do research and am having trouble finding a clear answer, so I thought I'd start a thread. Here is the set up:

Truck: 2012 Tacoma SR5 DCLB 4x4, Stock Gears
Lift: OME 885s, Billies 5100s, AAL
Tires/ Wheels: 265/75R16 Duratracs E load, 1.25" Spidertrax spacers, stock wheels
Added weight: DIY prinsu style rack, Leer 100XR shell, BAMF rock sliders, Coastal Offroad skid plates
Truck uses: daily driver, towing fiberglass boat (~3,000lbs package) regularly for ocean fishing, towing aluminum boat (~1,500lbs package) for duck hunting, 4x4 offroading and camping in CA Sierras

I really like the Duratracs but wanted to go to 255/85 because I read that with that size you don't need to do a CMC or much modification. But Duratracs don't come in that size, and I was thinking of settling with either Cooper ST Maxx or Yokohama Geolandar MTs. However, I just saw that the Duratracs I currently run are 51lbs and the 285/75 Duratracs are only 55lbs. I'm now thinking that I might be OK to just go with 285s and not experience much change in my driving experience. *Note: I really don't want to regear right now

Am I correct? Or will the larger diameter and 4 additional pounds of weight per tire cause a much different driving experience? I really don't want to put too much strain on the transmission, especially since the truck tows regularly and goes uphill a lot. Also, I don't think I'll have to do much modification because I'm running 1.25" spacers, right?

If anyone has any feedback, please let me know. If I'm way off and am better off sticking with 265/75s, I'd rather know now than do a $1,000 experiment haha.

Thanks!

 

I went 255-85s a few years back. In town,the power loss wasn't really noticeable,but on the open road,it surely was. At the time I wasn't ready to re-gear the truck,so I went back to 265's. With you pulling a boat,and hilly areas,I would no doubt regear.

 

I run 285s stock gears the loss of power doesn't bother me.

 

thanks for the input...how much did your tires weigh? Was it the weight that affected it or the diameter? I’m trying to figure out if it’s the actual weight of the tire or the rolling distance/ diameter that causes the power loss...if it’s the weight, I don’t think it’ll be that bad since it would only be an extra 4lbs per tire

 

Thanks, how is your driving? I normally don’t go above 65mph and just cruise in the slow lane...my rpms currently are around 2k with 265/75s and if it can be similar with 285s I think it might be worth the switch

 

With 285’s I’m right at or just over 2k rpm’s going 70

 

Both the weight and the gear change will affect you. Adding 16 pounds to your tires will be about like adding 160 pounds to your truck. Then the gearing will cost you power too. It is enough that you will feel it. Whether it is enough to matter is something no one can answer but you. The reason that you found no clear answer is that there is no clear answer. If I were towing, lived at altitude, carried loads, or in any other way taxed my truck, I would pay careful attention to going up in tire size. Unless you have an important reason to, I wouldn't.

 

Thanks for this thorough explanation...that is super helpful and didn’t realize that an extra 16lbs on the tires would be like 160lbs overall weight...if that’s the case I might just stick with 265s since I know this set up works/ performs well enough for my needs...appreciate the advice!

 

It's both causing the power loss. I ran a Dick Cepek that was actually pretty light for a 33".

 

Sounds good, I’m thinking that I’ll probably just stick with 265s until I’m ready to drop some cash on a regear

 

As many will tell you, a regear is some of the best money you will spend during your otherwise financially irresponsible venture to modify your tacoma.

 

hahaha so I’ve read...one day it will happen!

 

This made me laugh!

 

Whe. I'm going 110km on the high way I'm just above 2k rpm

 

a point to note, speedometer and rpm does not change when changing tire sizes or gears, it does not know the difference, what does change is actual veh speed, so with larger tire speedo might say 100kph @ 2000rpm but veh is actually going 110kph