Need help choosing on tires. 16" 255/85 285/75

Hi Buddies,

I know you have never seen this question before, ever, so I decided to ask what people here might think between the options with given price. I understand the majority of you see a lot more gravel and rocks than I might encounter since I am in the SE swamps with more mud and sugar sand tall grass and rutted fields from hogs than anything.

96 V6 4x4 no locker , scs f5 16 3.5bs, 300 weekly city road some highway. weekend about 40 miles of unkept trails, no towing, fair amount of weight in back (bed, cap, water, tools) nothing up front besides an air compressor.

My issue is the coopers tend to be stuck at 332 per tire price wise (255), while the 285 geolanders are now 224 a piece. I am also looking at weight where having steelies with ko2's is around 72lbs per corner currently the jump to 285s even with the f5s is considerable. I guess I am just looking for what fits my needs more as everyone tends to enjoy the st maxx's and im wondering if I save money in the short term by getting the smaller fatter tires I would see better traction in the locations I see. There isnt much if a "bottom" to our mud here. Thanks guys.