33" Winter tires

So, I have 265 70 16 Bridgestone Blizzaks on my Tacoma. These are unstoppable here in Colorado and will get me to ski resorts on icy roads in the middle of a blizzard. Thus, I like having a dedicated winter tire.

However, I'd like to upgrade my summer tires and was very interested in a 255 85 16. I wanted this size as it's a little lighter 33" tire than the 285 75 16. I'm already carrying a lot of camping weight and didn't want to drop my mileage that much.

KM3 in 255 85 16 should be out this month, and I was about to pull the trigger as it's spring, but there is no 255 85 16 winter tire. Does anybody out there switch between diameter tires for winter and summer? I would surmise this would require an alignment every time i switch.

Closest compromise is going with 265 75 16 tires which there are plenty of options for, or 285 75 16 for winter and summer, which is a big heavy tire.

 

I could be wrong but tire size differences shouldn't effect alignment. I have never heard people getting an alignment after getting bigger or smaller tires alone. I imagine you would be fine using your existing winter tires and just swapping your new skinny 33's on in the warmer months.. It should only effect your speedometer and your MPG slightly.

 

The general rule of thumb is when you buy new tires to get your alignment checked/adjusted in case it's slightly out of spec in order to prolong the life of the tire. It's not a requirement to get one, though.

 

Why run the risk of it being out of spec and chewing up the new tires prematurely? Get the alignment when you get new tires.

 

I haven't needed an alignment in over 20 years. I've been driving since the 1970s and only needed it done to one truck that was wearing tires unevenly. I'm on my 5th set of tires on my 12 year old Tacoma and it has never been touched since leaving the factory and the tires still wear evenly. Some of you guys just like to spend money.

We don't do winter/summer tires in GA so I can't help with that. But I do like the look of 255/85/16s on a Tacoma. My truck came with P series 265/70/16s. Over the last 195,000 miles I've had 245/75/16's and 265/75/16's in both P and E rated tires. The factory tires weighed 38 lbs, the E rated tires on it now weigh 53 lbs. Fuel mileage and performance is exactly the same today as it was the 1st tank of fuel.

The 285's may well hurt fuel mileage somewhat because they are a wider tire that has more rolling resistance. Not because they are heavier. The 255s may well get the best fuel mileage for the same reason. But you'd probably have to carry the decimal point to several places to show the difference. It is the tread design that will determine any loss of fuel mileage. As long as you stay with a mild AT tire you'll be fine. Go to an aggressive mud tire and you'll lose 2mpg regardless of the size you choose.

 

You do you. It's good proactive maintenance.

 

Do you wheel your truck or drive a lot of gravel roads?

I find these trucks lose alignment easily. One good deep pothole out of no where and it can shift.

 

I mess with my suspension periodically and I wheel and I find that I have to adjust my alignment frequently.

 

If you leave it stock, and nothing major changes, you probably don't need an alignment. However, I've had my alignment done when I've done major things like control arm changes and lift. After these changes the alignment was definitely off.

Thanks guys, I'll just pull the trigger on the 255s.

 

I haven't had mine aligned in a year and just noticed the fronts are cupping on the inside edges. Kinda sucks. To be fair the LCA bushings are going bad, which ceetainly affects how it stays in check

 

Changing tire size does not require an alignment.

All you’re suspension components stay in the same place. The alignment doesn’t change.

 

Load range is a factor to consider if your worried about weight. The 255/75/16 st maxx only come in E range. I'm sure you could find a lighter 285 in a C range

 

I carry a 1000lb slide in camper from time to time and want the load range E