285 Highway Tires

Anyone have experience with a setup like that? Like a Michelin Defender M&S or similar? 33"s that maintain decent GPM and road manners? Maybe less clearance issues?

..Maybe not.

 

A 235/85/16 is a narrow tire that is 33"tall and will probably fit with no clearance issues. 285's are much wider and will probably mean modifying the truck by either lifting or trimming sheet metal. Being an LT tire the ride will be a bit stiffer, but not unreasonable. I have E rated 265/75/16's on my Tacoma and after figuring out the best PSI to run in the tires it rides no different than the P series tires that came on the truck. Fuel mileage is exactly the same as it was when new.

One common internet myth is that heavy tires hurt fuel mileage. My E rated tires are 15 lbs each heavier than factory. Same fuel mileage. It is wide tires, tires that are considerably taller, and tires with aggressive mud tread will hurt fuel mileage somewhat. But staying with a less aggressive street or all terrain tread won't significantly hurt fuel mileage.

 

It's not a myth that heavier rotating mass equals slower acceleration. If you want the same acceleration that means more pedal...that means less mpg. So I wouldn't exactly say it's a myth.