On the Bubble over 255/85/16s vs 285/75/16s

I am looking to do a 255/85r16 when I get new tires and I am looking at the cooper maxx because it is the least aggressive that I could find in that size and still gets good reviews from what I can find.

 

I looked at them but didn't want load range E.....plus they were like 30 or 40 more per tire than the duratracs. Hopefully will be getting them installed this weekend.

 

I installed 255/85r16 on a brand new Pro this week. I was able to scratch together five of the older style Cooper ST's, actually Discount Tire found them. No issues with rubbing at all. I have not been able to fully stuff it yet, but I have flexed it fairly hard a couple times and no rubs. Keep in mind, the Pro wheels sit a half inch further outbound. I haven't done any trimming, although I planned on doing it as soon as I got home with the new tires. No rub, no trim.

Out of the handful of 255's manufactured, I was really struggling to select a model. I wanted something with good winter siping. I did not get that. The ST is supposedly better for snow over the Maxx STT. I heard the ST gets really hard in low temps and doesn't hold as well. It was 14 degrees F this morning, and they felt looser on some hardpack.

If I could do it over, would I get 285/75r16 KO2's? Maybe, as long as I knew that they fit. I don't have any problem with the looks of the 255, I like it. However, I think the KO2 would be a lot better in the snow.

 

what brand of sliders are those?

 

Late to the party, I know..

Maxxis bighorns were so good that I bought a set of their atv version just based on principle.

 

Glad to see this thread is useful. I love those damn Maxxis Big Horns.. But noisy for DD.. I ended up with 295/75/16 BFGs.. Would love a set of 35s in the Big Horns again, those were like giant pillows on the trail..

 

Hope you figured out your sliders, sorry missed this, post, RCI Sliders

 

I’ve found this post to be extremely helpful with great information on both the 255s and 285s. I’ve been running 265s for a few years now and want to move up to a 33. I’d love to pull the trigger on a set of 255s in a km3 on 8” wide rim but I’m a little weary of putting a fairly heavy camper on the back. My suspension is as beefed up as I could make it, that’s not a concern. Just looking for any input if there’s added benefits to the 285 over the 255s when hauling a decent amount of weight.

 

Well I would be weary of going with a Mud terrain over an All Terain, especially with a camper.. Just too noisy and i hate highway on them, personally. Pizza cutters are not bad for mileage. A 285 e-rated would probably be the sweet spot for you with your camper. Will look better and maybe give you the added stability?

 

I’ve got 255/80R17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers. They’ve been great so far. As quiet and comfortable as my previous set of KO2s and have performed just as well off road.

Load carrying capacity is pretty high - 3197lbs per tire.

 

Im hooked on the falken wildpeak AT3Ws for an allterrain tire and unfortunately they don’t make them in the 255/85/16. Noise isn’t a big issue for me just looking to mix in a MT set for the summer months, with the possibility of going up to 285 AT wildpeaks come next winter.

Ive heard good things about those i’m also interested in maybe trying out the Falken MTs with how impressed i’ve been with their ATs.

 

I work at a Honda dealership in parts so part of my job is ordering tires I have distributors that can get me 285 75s for $450 to $600 a set on a lot of different brands but they can't get 255 85s. The 255 85s I find retail all seem to be around the $1,000 mark. So my question is the trouble to make 285s fit worth saving $500 or would I be better off spending the extra money and having 255s? Side note I already have the eibach pro lift, AAL and I've ripped my mud guards off wheeling so some mods are done.

 

Yes.

 

Every time I see one of these post reminds me when I was deciding. 100% 285s, Way cheaper tire and easier to find replacements. Everytime I see a skinny in person I’m thankful I went with the wider variant.

I barely had any running on pavement with my wheels. Did cmc for occasional rub off-road. Lifted about 2 inches. People are dramatic on here about what is required to fit them

 

Thank you for that information . Its a relief actually since I have a big selection of tires to choose from and are cheaper. I've seen the cmc shouldn't cost more than $200 and that wouldnt pay for one 255 85. I plan on also adding method nv 305 wheels. Do you happen to know what sort of backspacing I should be looking at to help the tires fit easier?

 

Maybe but I think once you are at 33” x 10” that’s a pretty big foot print for a small truck. More important to sand performance is how much they squish. For example, P-rated tires would be better than the E-rated ST MAXX I have. I need to air down to about 8psi before they even think about flattening out at all.

 

I agree with this. I use to have a Honda element with p metric tires and yeah it was a blast on sand. I use to take it all over sand bars along the river in south GA. If they made the Element have real low range 4 wheel drive and better ground clearance I'd still be driving it. It was an awesome vehicle other than that. I lived out of it for over 2 years

 

these are the wheels I have. Bought since they are a local company. https://www.battlebornwheels.com/collections/wheels/products/echo-street-satin-black

I spoke to a falken product manager recently and he told me they are rebranding the next version of wildpeaks to a C rating from P rating without any durability changes. He said the p rating was designed for a Tacoma in mind, people had been scared off because they were thinking of the old school p rated tires. (Current c rated version was designed for Jeep gladiator marketing reasons and are unnecessary for a Tacoma ). Stated that the P wildpeaks are equal to k02s in c rating or even stronger. I previously didn’t realize the ratings are not standardized across brands.

 

I have had the falken wildpeak and I LOVED them. Mine were p rated and I bashed them on a lot of sharp rocky trails. Plus commuting to work 100 mile round trip every day. I got 60k miles on them and they still had life left. A friend bought them from me for $100 when I went up to a 265 75 16. If falken would make a lighter 33 that would be the best tire for our trucks.

 

I have 255/80R17s on Method 305s. I had to trim a little bit of the front fender, heat mold the fender liner, and beat in the pinch weld in the back to prevent rubbing. I have SPC UCAs which allow for more caster, so I did not need a CMC. I now have no rubbing. Hope this helps.