Put 255/85/16s on stock OR wheels and suspension

I agree with you that the high school physics related to static friction predict the tire friction force will be the same regardless of the tire size (all other things being equal including the tire weight). I think people arguing the opposite are on a wild goose chase.

However, traction in general is not that simple, especially on the irregular surfaces encountered off road. The article linked above makes the unsupported but plausible argument that a skinner tire will preform better in certain situations due to reasons beyond the simple high school physics model, e.g. in moderately deep snow a skinnier tire is more likely to dig down to frozen ground. I recommend reading it and then making your own mind up.

FYI: I run tall skinnies because 1) they fit without the need to cut up my truck and (a distant) 2) I think they might provide a superior traction on the terrain I am likely to encounter in Minnesota. TBQH, I think people run super wide tires mostly for aesthetic reasons.

 

I mounted 255 85 16 a few weeks ago and the only place I rub is on UCA's at full lock. This is on a stock 2020 SR, which means the wheels are at +30 offset. Going with 0 offset will pull the tire out about 1.2 inches, which may lead to some rub in the wheel well a little here and there. I just ordered -10 offset wheels today, will report back when I get them installed.

 

Just fyi, the idea that contact patch is dictated entirely by air pressure and load is debunked by real data from tire manufacturers. Surprisingly, the same dataset showed that contact patch pressure was higher on skinnier tires. Guess what happens when theres more pressure on your contact patch? More grip! Wow, amazing.

Im out, you guys have fun trying to convince each other Im wrong. Just put 255s on your truck and go wheel.

https://www.enginebasics.com/Chassi...xt=Basically there are two camps,A) It's true.

 

I’ve read a couple of your posts and an a bit confused on what you are trying to say. It sounds like you are saying that narrower tires create more dry friction with the ground then wider tires solely based on the simple dry friction theory, but that is not true. If the weight of the truck is a constant then the normal force is a constant and (assuming the coefficient of friction is a constant) the friction force is also constant. The differences between narrow or wider tires cannot be explained with that simple theory. Excuse me if you are saying something else.

for reference:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction

Pay particular attention to the “laws of dry friction” section.

 

You ever see someone lay down on a bed of nails and not get impaled? Think about how that is possible, and how it relates to when constant normal forces are applied across two different sized surface areas, and maybe that will help.

Good evening, everyone.

 

I’m confused. Your example appears to contradict yourself. The fact that the nails do not puncture the skin is from the fact that the normal force of the body is spread out over many many nails. This is analogous to why the friction force is equal regardless of tire width. The pressure is higher with narrower tires but the total normal force (pressure x area) is the same. If the normal force was not the same, the truck would either sink into the ground or float into the air. Friction force is a function of the normal force but the pressure. See the very simple equation in the article I referenced.

 

I’ve got geolanders 255/85/16s and I’ve notice the mud has been rubbed off of the frame and part of my LCA. Should I be concerned about my tires rubbing against the frame?

 

To each their own, I will stay with skinny tires from now on, unless I do a polar Expendition, then those big float tires. Also no 4 ply tires for me, if I can get them D or E rated tires, I have already had to change 2 4 ply tires on the trail from a belt tear from rocks.

 

I'm waiting on a quote for some 255/85r16 Cooper ST Maxx's from the local "shop" now. Modding my truck has been more challenging since I'm spending the summer in the middle of nowhere.

 

I might just go to the used tire lot and test 0 offset on a used set.

 

what's your ball park? i got quoted $1400 CAD for 4 255/85r16s of the same rubber

 

After reading EVERY post of 141 pages ended up buying a set of 255/85R16 Mastercraft CXTs. Got a deal to good to pass up. Installing them tomorrow morning.

 

Are you at completely stock height?

 

I almost bought these same tires. Went with the Cooper st MAXX instead. You’ll have to give us an update when ya get a few thousand on em, or go 4 wheeling and when you get em mounted too

 

Yes sir. All stock.

 

Absolutely! Very excited to see these on the truck.

 

Just got mine put on a few days ago thanks to this thread. 255/85r16 Cooper ST Maxx on a stock OR. Love them so far - perfect height and aggressive look to them. Don’t notice a difference in road noise vs the stock wranglers, but I haven’t taken them to 60+mph yet.

 

Would love to see a before and after side shot if able.

 

I just took the truck to the tire shop for a mount and balance. Took before shots. Just waiting for the call to pick it up!

 

255/85R16 Mastercraft CXTs. Stock truck. No rubbing on my drive home. Road noise was same as stock tires. I have a MBRP exhaust so i couldn't tell a difference. So happy that i made the switch.