Winter Tire sizes for 2020 DC

Hey everyone, I'm new around here, and new to trucks. Came from a history of small sedans courtesy of Subaru and BMW, though my first car was a 2nd gen 4runner that had more rust than steel left when I got it! (Ohio FTW?)

We get enough snow here to justify winter tires, and I'm currently debating tire sizing. I have the 18" alloy option on the SR5 currently, and am debating downsizing to a 17" or just buying a used OEM set.

My question is does the logic still apply to trucks like it did for sedans, to run the skinniest tire you can fit, in terms of section width? The optional alloys give you Bridgestone Duelers H/Ts in 275/65R18, but the standard SR5 equipment is 255/70R18. Should I aim for the smaller width? Do I just forget about it and get the first available size?

I bought this truck to tow, but that's realistically only during track season. So would I be reducing standard tow capacity by going for an aftermarket wheel with winter tires? Since winter runs so long up here, track season may start at the southern tracks before the snow clears up in the north.

 

I bought a used set of steel rims off craigslist from a Tundra and put on 255/70/18 snows on them. My good wheels do not see any salt now and I can switch them out any time I want to. it is a bit of a investment, but i spent $250 for the used rims.

 

I’m curious as to how you guys store them, and how long the tires tend to last for both sets? Since you are spreading out the miles between the two sets. I do know that they say to replace tires after about seven years. Do they last longer if they are stored correctly?

 

I had blizzaks for 4 years on my last Subaru, I'm still using them today as the wheels fit on my girlfriend's car. That being said, the tires probably have about half of their life left, so they'll be ready for replacement before 7 years are up.

They weren't used lightly, as I took road trips with the winter tires frequently. Drove to Florida last winter and let my dad drive the WRX, which was the only time I'd been in a 4 wheel drift in an AWD car on dry pavement!

Storage is tricky, because you need to keep them away from ozone-making things, which I never figured out what that really is. Maybe the furnace? I've just stored the winters in the garage all summer.

 

When you take your tires off spray them all over with 303, that will keep them from drying out. I also spray my wiper blades with 303 a few time a year, that also helps them from drying out.

 

Because, We are half through winter already, keep it stock for now.These trucks stock are pretty good in the snow, try for now to see how she does. Now how about you posting a pic of that race car!

 

Racecar is still waiting to be found at this point, unfortunately. Thinking of getting involved in Spec E30, but I'm not experienced enough yet to rule out a Miata or Honda either.

Just needed to ditch the Subaru (and the ridiculously high insurance!) so I can be ready to pick up a racecar from anywhere in the country once I find a good deal!

 

I had BFGoodrich KO2’s when I lived in TOLEDO. Great in snow, and good off-road. I got 75k miles on mine, and just replaced. My thought is Ohio does not have enough snow for dedicated snow tires.