OE size or go bigger... (2 Viewers)

[kaschool]

Hi, I'm considering switching out my OE tires on my 200 series. The question I have is whether I should consider going bigger. Some facts:

*Stock vehicle - no lift etc
*Live in PNW - Portland, OR
*I mostly do highway driving but may do some trips through mountain passes with snow. May also do some light off-roading for backcountry camping
*Don't want to take too much of a hit to MPG or road noise
*I'm considering the General Grabber ATX - simply because they are rated so well

I know these tires are likely more than what I need, being E rated and quite aggressive. But I do like the look of the more aggressive tires and I imagine even if I stick to the stock size (285/60R18) the more aggressive tread and side wall should make the tires look a bit larger than the OE ones and therefore fill out the wheel arch a little more. I don't believe the General Grabber ATX comes in a C or D rating from what I can tell.

My question is - should I consider going up a size to either a 285/65R18 or 275/70R18? I see a lot of people on this forum who do go bigger and I'm wondering is it mostly purely for looks or is there other benefits to going bigger? I can see some downsides namely the additional weight. Given my typical driving environment would people recommend I just stick with OE size or?

Thanks all for any feedback!

Rich

 

[RoyFJ]

Aggressive OEM size best option for you. I did the same as I didn't want to do any BMC etc even though I have a one inch lift via the Bilstein 6112. I stuck to OEM 265-70x17 but with all terrain capable E rated Geolandar MTG003 that does good on tarmac and rains but exceptional on gravel and mud. Just air down on rocky gravel terrains for your E rated and adjust tarmac pressure accordingly.

 

[JohnPW]

The MPG hit is from going from P rated highway tires to LT-E all terrains, not from the size change. There is a very slight ground clearance advantage when going one size up, but it’s mostly for looks. Based on your description through, I would go for a P rated tire. An E rated tire will hurt ride quality and mileage, and it sounds like you don’t need the sidewall toughness of an LT-E tire for what you will be doing. Lots of P rated AT tires in 275/65/18.

The difference in MPG between two sizes of the same E rated AT tire will be insignificant ...the mileage hit will be going to an E rated tire in the first place. Research the weight difference between the two sizes of the tire you’re considering...it will be minimal compared to the weight jump from P to LT-E in stock size. If you’re set on going with an E rated tire, you might as well go 285/65/18 or 275/70/18.

Note that there is a P rated AT tire in 275/70/18, the General Grabber APT. At least one MUD member has them on his 200 and is pleased with them for on road use with no mileage penalty vs stock Dunlops.

 

[kaschool]

@JohnPW - thank you kindly for the advice and the P rated APT recommendation - I think I will go that path!

@RoyFJ - thanks for the feedback

 

[JohnPW]

If you get the General APT, please do a review on here. I have been interested in this tire as a replacement when the stock tires wear out on my 2016 LC. Note that I’m not recommending them as I cannot find many reviews on them, and I don’t have any first hand experience with them. Supposedly similar to Continental TerrainContact (Continental owns General), and the TerrainContact is well reviewed as a “light AT” that is very good on road. But the Conti is only available as LT-E in larger sizes. I did connect with aMUD member who likes the General APT in 275/70/18 after 7000 miles on-road. No idea how they are off road or in snow, or how long they last.

 

[kaschool]

Picking tires is hard... now I'm looking at the Geolandar A/T G015 - they have many many sizes - and weight is comparable to the General Grabber APT. Price wise I can get the Geolandars cheaper. So now I'm torn. If I was going with the Geolandar I think I would go stock size 285/60R18 as the dimensions of that tire and weight look good to me.

Any thoughts anyone!

 

[RoyFJ]

If you will do off road with rocks go with LT Geolandar, they are very good in mud as well for AT tire.

 

[sum1]

Picking tires is hard... now I'm looking at the Geolandar A/T G015 - they have many many sizes - and weight is comparable to the General Grabber APT. Price wise I can get the Geolandars cheaper. So now I'm torn. If I was going with the Geolandar I think I would go stock size 285/60R18 as the dimensions of that tire and weight look good to me.

Any thoughts anyone!

I'm torn too, I really like the fact that the Geolandar's are great in snow and ice and the price and size are good. I have an 06 LC stock OEM is 275/60/R18. On the other hand I have heard great things about the Falken WILDPEAK A/T3W 275/65/R18 (even though discount tire says they wont fit). Both comparable in price. Falkens have a tread pattern close to the Duratreks, which is great in snow and ice.