Advice on 19 tire options (1 Viewer)

[chipsterguy]

I realize other rim sizes are an option (18" and 17"), but I am looking for advice specifically on the 19" OEM rim on the sport optioned GX460s. I want to assess the options for the 19" OEM wheel as I will not change rim size at this time.

Situation: I am currently at 32k+ miles on the OEM Dunlops and they need replacement. Vehicle is 2022 GX460 Premium Sport Plus. Mostly highway use (85%), desire snow capability for winter ski season (Three Peak Snow Flake) and light duty off-road capability (southern California). The more agressive look of an AT tire is desirable. It seems the only option for an AT tire in the 19 inch wheel size is to go 255/60 R19 tire size. The additional sidewall is a positive in my opinion.

Options: I am considering three tire options for the OEM 19 rims (in no particular order):

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 in 265/55 R19 113H XL BSW - this is the factory size, and a very good tire. Positives: I expect that I will get the best MPG with this tire, and it will be the quietest of the three tires I am considering. The trade offs in my opinion are: less capable off road due to tread pattern and less sidewall (30.5" diameter); less capable in snow; not as agressive looking
2. Falkon Wildpeak A/T Trail in P 255/60 R19 109H SL RBL - this is a slightly narrower and taller tire. Positives: This tire has 3 Peak Snow Flake rating, an agressive AT tread pattern and taller sidewall. Negatives: possibly a pizza cutter look (taller and narrower), but this is subjective; worse MGP and more noise?
3. Toyo Open Country A/T III in 255/60 R19 113H XL BSW - same potential positives and negatives as the Falkon tire above.

Questions:

- Does anyone have experience with the Falkon Wildpeak AT Trails and Toyo Open Country A/T III tires? Any prefence between the two tires? Experience specifically with the sizes above on the 19 inch wheel? Please share any first hand experience. Any rubbing concerns? Spare fitment issues?

- There seems to be several members with the Michelins in the OEM size (265/55 R19). I welcome your opinions as well. Did you consider a different tire size to get into at AT tire for these rims?

- Are their other tire options you would recommend for the 19 inch wheel? I am not looking to perform extensive modifications to address rubbing issues, and prefer to have the tire fit in the spare location under the vehicle.

Please share your real world experiences, if possible.

 

[Roody]

I can't attest to the Falkens but my experience with the Toyos has been absolutely fantastic, and that's with a set of A/T IIIs that I ran on my GX for 2+ years plus multiple sets of A/T IIs that combined went roughly 500k miles across multiple trucks. They're truly fantastic tires, almost nothing bad to say about them.

In all transparency, most comparisons are Toyo Open Country A/T IIIs vs Falken Wildpeak A/T3W or A/T4W, not the A/T Trails. And my experience with the Toyos has been exclusively for 17" wheels, but I don't see why that would be any different for 19" wheels.

The Michelins are also great tires. Tons of people run them and love them. Quiet, durable, long-lasting, etc. The only thing they don't offer in droves is off-road traction and meaty looks.

As for stock size vs pizza cutters, the difference will be less than that a wider and taller tire than stock makes.

The Michelin and Toyo would be the two I'd decide between for your application.

 

[Banandalorian]

Please share your real world experiences, if possible.

A friend of mine has the Falken A/T Trails on his 2022 Forester and says they should be the OEM tire for the Forester. He spends a few weeks each winter and summer in the Michigan UP. They don't do any off roading but a lot of the UP is unpaved and they've had no problems with winter weather or unpaved roads.
The same guy has the Toyo ATIIIs on his 2013 Forester and another friend ran the Toyos on his Grand Cherokee and Raptor and was very happy with them.

To be honest, if you are deciding between those 3 it kind of comes down the aesthetics because they are all solid tires. The Michelins will be the best road tire but with the trade offs you mentioned. The Toyos will be the best off road but are still very good road tires for noise and handling. I don't know that the Falkens are any better on road than the Toyos, but they split the difference aesthetically and with off road performance.

 

[chipsterguy]

Anyone running 255/60 R19 on their GX? Any insights?

 

[cfsds]

You should be able to run 255/65/19 Defender LTX M/S2s on stock wheels. Those are a 32" tire.

 

[chipsterguy]

You should be able to run 255/65/19 Defender LTX M/S2s on stock wheels. Those are a 32" tire.

Interesting. 32 inch. Should look for other tires in this size also. Any rubbing or spare tire fitment issues with 255/65/19?

Still hoping that someone can confirm no rubbing and spare tire fitment with this size 255/60 19

 

[chipsterguy]

You should be able to run 255/65/19 Defender LTX M/S2s on stock wheels. Those are a 32" tire.

Checking out discount tire, the only AT tires avaiable in 255/65/19 is BFG K03 ($399 per tire) and Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac ($330 per tire). No Michelins at Discount Tire. The BFG is of course 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) rated and not available until November 2025 apparently.

Tire Rack does cary the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 for $269/tire.

But I suspect fitment issues in the spare location, and possible rubbing given this size. Can anyone confirm? Is anyone running the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 in this size (255/65/19)?

 

[cfsds]

32 in the spare well will be tight but has been done, especially easy with rear KDSS link spacers. Ideally you'd keep it to a hair under 32 to make your life easier.

 

[ericm979]

I had spare fitment issues with a 31.7" tire. Falken Rubitrek, which is very similar to the Wildpeak A/Tw3. I had to put KDSS spacers in. 32" would be pushing it with the factory heavy duty hitch.

 

[r2m]

If you're not already using this tool, it will help see the actual tire sizes you are looking at replacing with so you avoid rubbing and/or not fitting the spare under.

Tire Size Calculator

The best tire size calculator. Use our tire size calculator to find tire size specs and suggested tire sizes. Then check prices for all available tire sizes.

tiresize.com

Note, manufacturer tire sizes will sometimes be just a wee bit off from the stated size.

 

[ericm979]

TireRack publishes mounted and inflated sizes that they measure. 265/70r17s for example can vary from 31.4 to 31.7".