goldilocks Tires?

Ive been looking at a lot of tire threads and it seems like everyone wants to go big when it comes to AT tires.
My tundra came with baby tires. 255/70r18.
I just got back from a 3000 mile trip to New Mexico where I really got to test my truck. My conclusion is I need some AT tires badly.
My question is what size do you go with when you are going to drive across the country on the interstate and then wheel off road?
Should I just get some nice 255/70r18 AT tires?
Or would that be crazy when I could fit a 265 or 275?
Thanks for any advice! Maybe I’m over thinking this?

 

275/65-18 A/T during the winter months, then I am back to the 255/70-18 M/S for the rest of the year.

 

IMO the tire you get is much more important than the size. Just get a good all terrain tire in the OE size and you’ll be all set.

 

You go back to a 255 because fuel economy and performance suffers with the 275?

 

Kinda what I was thinking, but everybody seems to love bigger tires. I don’t want to miss out on something good.

 

If snow/ice traction is your goal, avoid going with wide tires. You would be surprised how much better the pizza cutters are. The difference between 11.5” and 12.5” are pretty substantial too.

 

You can fit up to a 275/70-18 on a stock truck. And I feel like I have seen some 285/70-18 on stock as well. One thing to consider, the stock tires your truck came with are standard load. If you move up to a 275 or larger you will be moving to an E load tire which is heavier and rides stiffer than standard load tires.

I run 275/70s, they are a bit stiffer but handle better and perform better hauling and towing. Here is a pic. Tire upgrade is always one of the first things I do on a vehicle and it can make a remarkable improvement.

 

No, they are part of my light weight performance wheel & tire package for warm weather. My driving style in the summer is not ideal when it comes to A/T tread life. Both are standard size Michelin tires, I don't care for bigger tires.

 

The only thing good about wider tires is looks. If in your opinion function > form, stay with OE size. Don’t follow the herd.

 

Tire posts go here btw. https://www.tundras.com/forums/wheels-tires.18/

Happy hunting.

 

255/70 and 275/65 are BOTH stock sizes for 18" wheels - just depends on your trim level/option package. They are both the same size (DIA), just 0.8" wider on the 275/65. The tires Rex runs in the winter are the same ones that come stock on the TRD OR package trucks (and TRD Pro). If you want just a little more size, then 275/70 will fit on a stock Tundra without modification and doesn't dramatically change your speedometer calibration or performance. It gives a little more "aggressiveness" and fills the wheel wells a little more, and gives you a little more height.

As others said, getting a good tire tread and build is more important that necessarily the size of the tire.

 

I was reading about the E load tires.
I don’t think that would bother me.
Truck looks great!

 

And there he is.....

 

I found my Goldilocks tires and went with 275/70R18 Falken Wildpeaks - not too big that they kill your MPGs, but big enough that they look good and drive awesome on pavement and off road.

 

You had to know it was coming

 

It's my OCD. I like organization! Plus most of this is well covered in the sticky threads in each of these subforums.

 

I was wondering the same thing when I got new tires a a little bit ago. I just went with 255 Cooper AT3’s and I’m happy. I figured I didn’t need any bigger just a more capable tire. But it’s not like I’m doing any hardcore off-roading either

 

Sorry! I should have taken a little more time to make sure I was posting in the right place.

 

Excellent to know! Thanks

 

Don't worry man you're good. Feel free to search around though. Tons of tire threads that will hopefully point you in the right direction!

 

That's what tire and size I went with too.

 

All good. Most don't realize these subforums exist which is why I chime in and link them instead of just reporting the post to be moved. The subforums have great sticky threads and posts that help continue to deplete your wallet.

 

Keep in mind factory diameter will deliver the best results if towing or hauling loads. Simply easier to turn than a larger tire just like a sprocket or gear assembly.

 

I went from the factory tires to Cooper XLT 275 70 18’s just a week or so before we got hit with heavy regional snow, ice, and freezing temps. I operate a skilled nursing center at what had to be ground zero for snow and ice. It’s a 24 hour operation, and most of my staff were stranded. I wound up driving all over Portland and surrounding picking up staff with those new tires for several days. They were amazing. I drove on solid ice, through snow drifts and packs that were 1-2 feet deep, and plowed over the barriers created by snow plows. My experience with tires is limited to these, but I was amazed. I never slid or got stuck anywhere.

 

OP, for me, my truck is my daily, mud, sand, snow, tow, camping/hunting trips mobile, it's not a field truck but it's not a mall crawler either.

For me, I love 285/75r18, true 35" OD, so I get the ground clearance, I'm using Yokohama X-AT and the tire is 66lb each vs 70+ on 295's, and mine has load index of 129, which is useful at odd time I need to haul heavy stuff, it's been great in snow, dirt, rocks, farm fields, hwy, and no rubbing at full flex (after removing front mud flaps).

 

Y’all don’t make it easy to decide on a tire size.
Panicman, that’s impressive! I have my eye on those Coopers.

serious question.. is going to a taller tire more for looks than performance in adverse conditions?
I mean I know bigger tires roll over stuff better, but is there really that big a difference between a 33” and a 35”?
Has anyone ever said “I never could have got up that on my old 33s”?
I’m not considering 35s, I’m just curious if it’s really more about looks and it does look good.

 

I drive all over the country for work and often in construction sites and Polo Fields and other Horse Properties of all odd places and I stayed with the stock size in the WildPeak and have been really surprised and impressed all around with them!
I knew they would perform well but I was surprised by how quiet and calm the ride always is too.
When on Snow/Ice and Mud/Horse Shit they are amazing too and they are also among the lower priced performance ATs that are on the market too which is not a bad feature!
I also tow a lot but not too heavy and they are terrific so far there too.

Just Right to me!

 

Taller tires improve ground clearance. They definitely make it easier to get over and through things. I don't think most people would ever encounter much that would stop them just because of tire size. If you're offroading hard regularly it's definitely worth it.

Assuming similar rolling resistance, a taller tire is also better for highway mileage, apparently. Tall and skinny seems to be ideal for the majority of situations.

 

I’m running 265/70/18 falken wildpeak at3w. A touch taller than stock and a 1/3 inch narrower. No hit to gas milage, great on the highway and has taken on anything Alaska has thrown at it this year without any issue. Prior I ran 275/65r18 Cooper at3 4s. Great tire all around, just couldn’t find them in the needed size when I changed my tires.