Tire Size Question Once Again

[gray rider]

Sorry for this boring topic. But there are just too many identical "boring" posts to effectively search them. So here is one more, dammit.

I have a free shot at some Michelin tires won in a Michelin raffle thing.

These are for my 2003 stock LC.

What size should I drift up to while remaining stock.

The usage is fast highway 65%. city 20%, with gravel Forest Service Roads 15%. Little to no off-road wheeling.

Question: What size?

 

[OregonLC]

275/70R18 BFG KO2s are probably the best all-around tire you could get. At 33" size and nominal width increase you won't need to worry about rub, spacers, etc. The KO2s last forever, are great in snow, are quiet... hard to beat.

If you need to buy the Michelins because of your raffle win, then buy them and sell them on CL to fund your KO2s. We run Michelin LTX M/S on our LX mall cruiser and they're fantastic. But they're definitely a highway tire. A great highway tire, but not a good off-road tire.

 

[gray rider]

Hey OregonLC,
Good info.
Would you consider 285's?

 

[OregonLC]

Hey OregonLC,
Good info.
Would you consider 285's?

Depends on what your goal is. The 285/65 is slightly wider and shorter in profile than the 275/70 and about 1/2" smaller in diameter. Both would work. I'd lean toward the 275 for marginally greater ground clearance, better sidewall deformation when aired down, and less highway rolling resistance. If you like the wider look you could always go with a wheel spacer.

 

[gray rider]

Thanks for the input OLC, much valued!

 

[gray rider]

Oh, by the way, if I'm going to Craigslist sell the Michelins, then what is the most marketable size? Or does it really matter?.....

 

[OregonLC]

Oh, by the way, if I'm going to Craigslist sell the Michelins, then what is the most marketable size? Or does it really matter?.....

Do you have a maximum price you can get for free? For example, a Pilot Super Sport in late model Corvette sizing might be a profitable tire to sell. Or maybe look at what a common size is for Silverados/Tahoes. Should be a big market for those tires.

 

[gray rider]

You have some clever ideas. I had limited this to my own uses rather than some bad ass sports uni-directional tires or such, hhmmmm! I need to research cause I think I have a green light on any set of tires 16, 18 or 20 rim size. Should pre-sell them and broker them, lol.

 

[geanes]

275/70/18 KO2s and don't look back. As stated above, probably as perfect a tire as possible on a stock cruiser. I have been running 285/65/18 TerraGrapplers and am making the switch. I prefer the little bit extra sidewall on the 275/70 vs the little bit extra width of the 285/65. My decision was helped by the wayward screw that decided to lodge itself in the outer treadblock of my TerraGrappler (can't be repaired). Been chomping at the bit to get the KO2's. Ordered and should arrive later this week