275/70/18 or 285/75/16 (1 Viewer)

[phsycle]

I was looking at getting new tires and it's between these two sizes. My rig is pretty stock (no lift). I don't plan on a lift, because for my uses (overland, mostly), the stock height is good enough, although I do hit every once in a while, which is why I'd like to go from 32's to 33's.

In an older thread, the advantage of the 285/75/16's was that it was cheaper and more readily available. But the thread was 3 years old, and from the looks of it, that's not the case any more. In fact, when pricing out BFG KO's on discount tire's site, the 275/70/18's are CHEAPER.

One questions is, when I head outdoors, I do a fair bit of washboard roads (So. Utah). Will 285/75's provide much better ride compared to 275/70's? If it's marginal, I'd rather go 275/70's for the cost, and......I'll admit it---looks. Also, with the slightly slimmer tires, I wonder if it will have less rubbing issues.

Thanks for any input.

 

[1loudLX]

you'll have less sidewall to absorb the bumps when you air down for off-pavement driving with the 18" wheels. something to consider. What wheels do you have now? the 18s have the advantage of less rocks getting stuck between the barrel and the rear brake caliper, and better on road performance again, due to the slimmer sidewall.

 

[phsycle]

Currently have stock 16's. I've also got Tundra 18" alloy rims, if I decide to go with 275's. I do more on-road driving to get to these camp spots, so maybe the 275's will be better.

Another factor is that the 275's only come in Load Range E, while the 285's come in D.

 

[FinallyGotOne!]

I have zero complaints with the 285s. More sidewall, too.

 

[Anthony.L]

My 2004 LC came from the factory with 18's. Soon as I bought it I purchased a set of factory 16's second hand and switched them out along with BFG AT's. Once that set of tires was done I switched back to the factory 18's. Why? Well the main reason is I wanted to move up to 35's but keep a 11.5" width tire. Most 35's in 16's are 12.5" wide which I did not want.

Also the number one annoyance I had with the factory 16's is rocks getting stuck between the inside of the wheel and the brake caliper. There is very little clearance, and I spent most of my time on Forest Service roads. I had to stop several times and dig out the rocks because it was squealing so bad. Something to keep in mind.

So far I have zero complaints about the less tire sidewall with the 18's.

 

[gtfour43]

I noticed the better ride within minutes when switching from my stock 18" tundras with michelins to the 285/75/16 duratracs i had from my 80. I prefer the 16s.

 

[phsycle]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will spring for the 275/70/18's and see how it goes. Like Anthony, I spend more of the time on dirt/gravel roads and can see the benefit of larger rims. I just hope the LR E sidewalls will be not too harsh.

 

[fjrohrs]

275-70-18's look great on a stock rig and will fit despite your installer's thoughts...

 

[arbetrader]

I love the 275/70/18's I upgraded to from the factory 16's. My next set I'll either stick with the same size, or go 285/65/18; I haven't decided yet.

I love the crisper turn-in you get with the slimmer sidewall - Handling is far better in mind

 

[thegoodword]

BFGoodrich just released the new KO2 AT in a 275 70R 18 this month. I mounted four of them today and even tested the spare tire location. There is a weird bracket that touches the tire, but does not affect the fit in the spare location. I have no idea what the purpose of that bracket is exactly.

 

[Rucko4]

I just picked up a set of 08 Tundra 18" wheels to replace my 2000 16"s and have been trying to determine tire fit too. I like the BFG'S and it sounds like 275/70/18 is the most recommended size for us mall crawlers.
Anyone else swap to Tundra 18" and were there any offset issues or need for spacers?
Thanks

 

[Manhattan]

Anyone else swap to Tundra 18" and were there any offset issues or need for spacers?
Thanks

I swapped the OE alloy 18s for Tundra steel 18s.
The Tundra wheels - steel and alloy - are the same width and have the same backspacing as our 100s.
I'm on my second set of 275/18/70 BFGs

 

[RevelationSr]

Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar - Size: LT275/70R18 on stock wheels