255/85 R16 Owners Experience

On my next set of 255/85-16 KM2's I'll be doing your "front to back" tire rotation instead of the criss cross method. Doesn't hurt to try something different.

 

Right now, I rotate them every 5-6k miles. I do a lot of mixed driving but mostly slower speed backroads (30 - 50 MPH). I've gone through to try and figure out what the cause of the cupping could be but gave up. Bearings are good, bushings are good, shocks are good, alignment is good, balance is good. I've been through 3 sets of wheels and 4 or 5 sets of tires, each and every one of them has done the same thing. I switched to the criss cross method of rotating them so it keeps them evened out so I gave up on caring.

Your statement about cupping isn't accurate. There are a lot of factors that play into cupping and feathering of tires. It can be a weak shock, bad bearings, poor balancing, etc. I've kept up with my alignments and have not figured out the cupping issue and can't explain it on the rear at all. I'm getting good mileage out of my tires but I can't keep the cupping away with a straight front to back rotation.

 

I meant on 'your' truck and you have already said the wheel bearings and everything else was good which is what I am disagreeing with

Ain't no way in hell 4-5 sets of tires would cup unless your truck is FUBAR

So it's cupping on at the rear?

If so is your truck doing the crab walk?

 

I'll get there, slow and steady process. By the end of this year, the rear driveline will be rebuilt with new u-joints and carrier. Next year it'll get new drums and I want to see if that solves the rear cupping issue. The front will have to wait until tie rods and wheel bearings wear out.

 

Hmmm... in my experience I still cross rotate, and I have a fair amount of experience.

Just saying...

 

What kind of backspacing do y'all recommend for these tires on a 16x8 rim? My truck will have the 3in OME lift with LR UCA's.

 

I'm running 16x8" wheels with 4.5" BS and no wheelspacers. Works great and can stuff the tires without hitting the fender flares up top.

Not quite fully stuffed but you get the idea. If your tires stick out too far then they hit the fender flares pretty quick and can tear them off.

 

Awesome thats what i wanted to hear! What lift are you running?

 

I have 5100's up front set at 0 with 886's on them. Was about 3" but after adding all my armor I think I am down to about 2"...

 

Awesome, thanks for the info. I checked out your Flying Krawler page too, your truck is badass and you definitely put that thing to work!

 

Thanks man!!

 

I think the lack of rubbing while still having the 33" tall tire is the unsung hero of the 255/85R16 tire for our Tacomas. Add in the excelent traction because of the "narrow" aspect and for me the 285/75 is left in the dust.

And really a 10" wide tire is only narrow if you compare it to the big fat tires guy like to run on full size rigs. My first truck was a 3/4 ton Dodge and it had 8.75x16.5 10 ply tires, with a 9.50 x 16.5 being the "big tire" back in those days. (It was 1972 which is probably before many of you guys were hatched).

 

My dad was 5-6 then. haha

 

That's great and I'm glad you never had an issue.

With all of your experience have you ever heard of this issue? I had it happen first hand. Care to offer more then just a 'never happened to me comment"?


I think it's easily summed up........

Two options:
a) Impossible for the belts to have issues going front to back.
b) Possible for belts to have issues criss crossing.

I have never had the need to criss cross my tires because I get more then they are rated for mileage wise going front to back.

99.9% of the web info you get will tell you to criss cross so I fully understand what my opinion is up against. All I know is I trust my experience and the experience of the tire guys I know.

 

Has anyone run the trail cutter rt in a 255/85? Trying to dig up a few more options when i replace my km2's

 

Not to seem arrogant but I think you know me and roughly my experience...

I've had a lot of tires, same with the old man, and he's had a LOT of vehicles.

That's just my personal experience, but as far as school work friends life... I have never heard of this.

I'll have to ask our tire guy at the mine.

 

I guess I'm just an old school old fart

 

The old man has been cross rotating them for as long as I can remember! That's how I got my start.

Not to knock ya... if you say you've had problems I believe you but first I've heard of it.

 

I'm currently stuck right now on what tires I should get for my new taco. Its a 2013 TRD Sport. I wanted to see if I could get some things sorted out as well.

The truck is going to be a daily driver, %60 on paved roads and the rest either in mud or some rock crawling (nothing serious). I live in virginia where we do get snow in the winters, usually a foot or less but sometimes a few feet.

I'm stuck between either doing the skinny 255/85r16 or the fat 285/75r16. From my knowledge you may have to shave the cab mount a little bit in order to fit the 285s which is not an issue. However when reading about the skinny 255s, I have heard people saying that the diff gear ratios may need to be changed?

Would I experience any issues with the skinny tires daily driving? See some people say the city MPGs go down a good amount with some erratic shifting of the automatic transmission? The truck will be getting a 2-3" lift as well.


Thanks everyone!

 

^^ Im getting 18mpg average. Automatic with stock gears. Used thim in light dusting snow with no problems.