Stock 265 vs 285 tires, is it really worth all the trouble?

They do look a bit skinny, but I think this tread pattern looks great in a skinny size. They also look better in the full pictures. I'm assuming these are the 255/80s?

I'm strongly considering these for my next set of tires. I read a few people complain about wet performance on them, but how have they been in the wet for you?

 

I still like the skinnies. I’m leaning 80% that way when I run these out. They’re very practical. I feel like they give off safari truck vibes.

 

Indeed. I'm super pleased with them.

 

Correct. Toyo Open Country RT in 255/80 17, 33.1".

I drove home with them 50 miles from my buddies shop in the rain; that profile pic was in my driveway when I got home and you can see it was wet. I think other than that day though, I haven't had them in the rain. I just got them 3-ish weeks ago and haven't been driving it much since I have a take home cruiser now. Anyway, they handled fine at 40 psi. Cornering grip was strong. Braking performance felt fine. It really felt no different than on my previous 265/70 17s.

Tinkerer's Adventures has a video where he compares sizes using a fairly scientific test of tread contact areas and the actual contact patch on the tall skinnies is as big as the wider tires, which contributes to the similar handling characteristics. I don't have the link as I straight up binged all his videos recently and I'm not sure which one it was, LOL.

EDIT - there is one category that feels different actually: steering feels lighter now, which seems counter intuitive since these are heavier, and technically the contact patch should be the same as a wider tire, but the truck has noticeably quicker steering especially at parking lot speeds or at a stop. I consider that a bonus, personally.

 

Thanks for the info! I've watched the Tinkerers videos, they are fantastic with lots of good info. I did see the one you're talking about with the skinnies.

So these are now on my short list, once I get around to installing my new suspension I'll be needing tires.

If you don't mind, could you update this thread once you get some miles on them?

 

I'll sure try

 

I have over 15,000 miles on Falken Wildpeak AT4Ws in 265R17SL. They perform well offroad and on the street but man they have gotten loud on pavement. They were not this loud initially but certainly more so than my previous Michelin LTX AT2s.

What’s your highway noise impression of your Toyo Open Country RTs?

 

They are louder than a pure AT, but not significantly so. It's hard to quantify nose but if stock tires are a 3 on a ten scale, I guess Wildpeaks (new) would be a 4, and these are a 5.

 

What is stock? Ridge Grapplers, all season tires, or something else?
I’m in the market for some new tires very soon and am deciding between Ridge Grapplers, AT4Ws, and Mickey Thompson’s.

 

Dunlop Grandtreks I think? I don't know. Stock. The tires that come stock. From the dealer. Stock.

Pros excepted.

 

Stock on my ORP were Ridge Grapplers, which basically sucked in the rain. And it rains a lot here in Raleigh, so away they went.

 

What did you replace them with?

 

Wildpeak AT3’s, though to be honest I also should have checked out the Toyo Open Country’s. The Wildpeaks are vastly superior in wet weather compared to the Ridge Grapplers.

 

similar story to you. Mine had terra grapplers on it and I felt super sketched out in the rain here in FL. I swapped to the AT3ws and have been really happy.

 

Follow up on my post - I ended up with Toyo Open Country AT3's in SL. Tire Rack showed them nearly 7lbs lighter per tire versus the WildPeak's. I have about 500 miles on them so far - not loud, which is nice, grip seems great, maybe a bit less precise cornering versus the stock Bridgetone Dualer HT's, but the grip is there. Over all happy with my choice. I did the spare as well as I do plan some light offroading. Edit - forgot to mention, gas mileage about .5 of a mile per gallon less so far. Thanks of everyone's input and the discussion.

 

I had P285/70 (SL) Toyo AT3s installed last month. They look great, but I’m not loving them as a daily driver tire. Very flighty on the highway compared the the LT265/70 (C load) BFG KO2s.

I believe much of the issue is the 7” TRD wheels being too narrow. You can see the heavy crown where the center tread transitions to the shoulder blocks. Combined with less than ideal caster from the Eibach lift makes for busy steering on the freeway. Not terrible around town, but I am seeing about a 2 MPG hit on averaged fuel economy… anything over 70 on the freeway, and it’s about par with my Tundra.

I’ll be replacing these with 265/70s or 255/75s. If anyone around upstate SC is looking for a good deal on some lightly used 285 Toyos, let me know.

 

I absolutely love my Elka suspension lift and the 33's. My only regret was not taking more time to weigh the options of a BMC vs. UCA's. I ended up going with the SPC UCA's as every thing I was hearing said it was the best way to get the geometry right. Now at 33k on my 23' Runner I'm on my second set of SPC's, just swapped them out about a month ago. I'm hoping the sealed ball joints and improved bushings hold up better than my first set, though I've received some feedback that getting 30k miles out of the old design is actually pretty good. I figure this would buy me another year or two to research better ideas or the BMC option. Of course there is always the dream of hitting the lottery and going with Portals! LOL Now I just need to start buying lottery tickets.

 

So you went up a couple of sizes, with a questionable alignment….
That “busy” steering is not from just the tires.
Rim width is probably contributing some.

 

the 255/75s are a great match for the 7" wide -5 OS OE pro rims. Im only running a 1" lift so the feel might seem a tad lighter but it tracks well.

 

Correct. That is the conclusion I came up with.

I tried it out based on numerous accolades that’s it’s a great combination. Not my thing.

 

This is false. Moving from 265 to 285s made a large improvement on off-road performance, especially when it comes to rock crawling.

 

I’m running that size. 255/80/17 Toyo open country at3 with eibach 2in lift
They only come in E load
i’m very happy with them on road and off-road especially off-road since I air down to 15 to 18 pounds mainly desert Trails Rocky prickly lots of solo trips. I’m glad for the thicker side walls heavier tread also on road it is a bit stiffer than stock size but I have no complaints and I don’t think they look bad at all. I did have to trim the front fender area about 1 inch and push the fender liner in all simple mods,

 

it is funny to get out and look at the tire marks in the sand. They are really pizza cutters like old school jeeps so far so good.

 

Says you. I have a whole stable of rigs. Some are on 265s and some on 285s and I've yet to notice that "large improvement" with the 285s you are talking about. The larger tires give about 1/2" more ground clearance - not enough to matter.

 

Sometimes that 1/2 inch makes all the difference. Thats what she said. LOL
But in all seriousness I will take every millimeter of clearance I can get. Large improvements are very subjective. But it is an improvement.

 

Wearing a glove, try using a heat gun to soften the area to massage the liner out of the way. Hold it in place while cooling. Do you think that would work?

Also, regarding your comment, "I try to buy light weight tires so I don't get hit in mpg. Also buy Load C or Standard Load to keep the comfort level on pavement."...can you give some tire suggestions? Mine stays on pavement 90% of the year.

 

Have to keep something solid overnight (Like wood tighten to the tire over night).

So far I'm very happy with Toyo Open Country AT3 P285/70R17 SL. They almost feel like running stock size tires. But the con is they are not strong as some thing like BFG KO2 I used in the past. When I drive on a a trail with sharp rocks I pray that I don't get a puncture.

As for my next set I would also conside tires like: nokian outpost nat, cooper discoverer at34s. Even mickey thompson baja boss (slightly heavy).

 

/waves to Raleigh neighbor.

 

Once you heat it up and mold it, spray some cold water on it. No need to wait overnight or even 5 mins

 

A couple of weeks late I know but strange you had trouble in rain . I’m in south Florida and my Ridge Grapplers work great in the rain .