255s vs 285s

Hey guys,
I know there are a lot of different threads on this topic but a lot of them are pretty old that I’ve seen. I’d just like to hear some first hand experiences with 255/85/16 and 285/75/16 tires. I’m pretty much set on Cooper ST Maxx’s just trying to determine size. I’d love to see some pictures and hear some opinions on either size or your preference if you’ve owned both sizes.

Thanks,
Eli

 

I’ve got the 255/85/16 Cooper ST Maxx on my ‘17 and would buy them again.

They look great, have been a great tire on and off road, are wearing well and for the 3rd gen trucks they fit with absolutely no trimming / hammering. I see you’ve got a 1st gen so that last point might not mean as much to you.

Since the 255s are a skinny tire, they do move with the road a bit more than a non-skinny. I think it’s negligible though.

Can’t really go wrong either way. You’re at the finish line now and have made a great tire choice. Just depends on how much work you want to put into it.

 

255’s are what you seek.

 

I installed some 255/85r16’s E-load Dick Capek Extreme Country’s (mud terrains) last week and have had no rubbing issues so far including 4-5 hours of off-road use. The shop I took them to had a hell of time getting them mounted and balanced (5 hours for mount, balance, and alignment). I think I will visit a dedicated 4x4 shop next time.

Gas mileage went from 18 to 14. Noise level increased substantially. Ride got a bit rougher. It requires noticeably more gas pedal to drive at hiway speeds (thus the drop in mpg). The truck drives down the road just as good as before. No wandering or weirdness. Most of this I expected and I don’t plan on using these tires for daily driving.

i went with 255 instead of 285 primarily because I didn’t think the extra inch of width was worth the fitment hassles. I was after the added height. Secondarily, I figure the narrower tires will be better in snow.

I don’t have any personal experience with 285’s but there are a lot of threads on here with mixed reports about rubbing.

 

I'm debating the same currently, only difference is that I'm torn between Ridge grapplers. 255 if almost .5 in bigger than 285. Really wish I could see a comparison of the two next to each other. I wonder if the height difference is even noticeable.

 

I have the same tires on my 2018 DCLB. Ill buy another set when the current ones wear out...IF they wear out

 

255’s

 

I have the ridge grapplers in 285. I’m curious about the weight difference between the two sizes.

 

I now have 33/10.5/15’s that are c rated and I think I like them better, if you aren’t stuck on 16’s.
Few tire options in tall skinny 15’s though

 

Plenty of pictures and more than enough feedback to make you re-think which tire type 80000000x over

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/put-255-85-16s-on-stock-or-wheels-and-suspension.491079/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-skinny-on-skinny-tires.529656/

I run 255 KM2s and they're great! Thinking of the jump to 35s purely because I can get a set for the same price, or cheaper, as 255s

 

2nd and 3rd gens would have to 'downgrade' brakes and make an unhealthy compromise to run a 15" wheel. But damn, I'd love the tire selection in a 15" if I could!

 

I'm on 255s, 3 other friends are running 285s, 2 on 2nd gen and one with a 3rd gen. With their 285 nearly gone, all but one is considering going 255s

 

The dude has a 1st gen, otherwise I wouldn’t have mentioned it

 

255/85/15 ST Maxx here- had them on for about a month and love them, great on road manners, buts minimal off road time so far (covid and winter)...
I lost 2 mpg jumping from 265/75/16s with no lift to 2" OME lift and the roof box. The transmission seems to be happier, it used to have a very clunky downshift in town that went away when the tires and lift went on.

 

Depends what load you have. If its sl then its much lighter, but if C or E load they're pretty similar.