Help with "skinny" tire choice... much appreciated!

2012 V6 4x4 access with stock 245/75/16 (this is 9.65'' wide)

just bought icon suspension (UCA + coilovers + AAL)
Just bought the black TRD faux beadlock wheels 16''

80% daily driving // 20% off-road driving (maybe more now with the icon!). Offroad is CA, mostly rocks, trails and some sand. no mud, no snow usually.

I have done a little reading, and certainly seen the many discussions on this topic (mpg, contact size, pressure/sq-in, tire material etc) and this has led me to start my own thread in hopes of leaning me towards a tire choice

Im trying to determine tire size, and then best brand in that given size. Maybe im wrong? So far i like the yokohama gelonanders ats, atoyo AT2, maybe cooper AT and always "hear" the standard BFG AT... comments/suggestions are all welcome!!

Im not interested in the 285 size tire. but im considering:
235/85/16 (gives me 1.26'' height. minimal mpg change)
245/85/16 (do they make this?)
255/85/16 (seems a bit larger than necessary. definitely impacts mpg?)

265/75/16 (next size up stock...)
275/75/16 (Is this a tire size?)

 

I ran 255/85 and 265/65s and had about the same 80/20 as you my only question is what would you consider 29% offroad? Mine was rocks, trails and sand mostly.. no mud but I had the 255/85 KM2 and it was a really good tire. I also had a V6 .. do you also have a V6?

 

Ya i have the V6. Offroad is CA, mostly rocks, trails and some sand. no mud, no snow usually. 80% is local driving as its my DD so the usual pavement and winter rain.

 

235/85-16 Cooper ST Maxx

 

I've had the 255 85r16 KM2's for a year now and love them on all terrain,they also havent really affected MPG.

 

I run 235/85r16 in winter and they are great. With a lift (like yours) I'd look at 255/85r16.

Cooper ST Maxx are the ones I would pick if I had a lift and was looking for a capable off road with good road manners.

 

Im still researching and trying to figure out whats my tire choice.

im pretty much stuck between 2 sizes:

255/85/16 vs 235/85/16

the 255 is clearly the larger 33'' tire, and my issue right now is that i cannot find really any brands in this size that arent LT. So, trying to decide if LT will be ok for me (my understanding is ill more than likely need to find a brand that offers LT in C/D rating since i dont haul heavy)

the 235 definitely has more options, still im not seeing very many that arent LT either. Next, the most obvious is that its a slightly smaller tire and its obviously a bit skinnier

 

You'll find only LT tires with a load range E rating in those sizes.

 

I don't see why everyone's scared of the load range "e" tires. Ill bet my salary that there is no member on here that can tell the ride difference between an e and a c/d tire by one road ride quality.

I have 255/85 load range e tires on my taco and its fine. My truck is empty 99.9% of its life. I don't see any difference with the tire aired down off-road either compared to a c/d range tire.

Don't let the fact that they are an E tire affect your purchase, buy the size/style that you want.