Anybody getting good mileage with a favorite tire, do a lot of highway, see snow in the winter,dirt road once in a while, have Dayton Timberline now 255/85/16, 33.1 tall 10 wide. Was thinkin of goin to a 265/85/16, 33.7 tall 10" wide. A little taller may get me some better mpg?? My gearing is 4.11 ratio. Maybe a little less agressive tread too?
Tire Size Choice
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To the best of my knowledge no one makes a 265/85/16. The widest 85 I've seen is the 255. I had Firestone A/T 255/85/16 on my previous 2000 F350 4x4 CC, and they were great. Then again, I had 3.73 gears, so (corrected) I ran 1900 at 70mph, 2100 or so at 80mph, and 2350 at 90mph (whole lot of power and pedal left, no more nerve, and Ohio bears really frown on speeds north of 90mph). My current truck has 4.10 gears, so I went with the tallest A/T tires I could find to cut the revs at highway speeds, though they're wider than I'd like. The Toyo 315/75/16s were almost 35" new. The downside is they rub the leafsprings at full lock when going slowly (parking)- oh well. I wonder how many zillion sets BFG or Toyo would sell if they made a 36x10/16 radial A/T; strikes me there are a lot of folks who would like a tall but relatively narrow tire.
Josh
PS: At 70-75mph on summer fuel I've rarely done better than 16mpg. Still trying, though. I wish I could go 65 without getting run over or falling asleep during the extra hour or two it takes to get somewhere...
Josh
PS: At 70-75mph on summer fuel I've rarely done better than 16mpg. Still trying, though. I wish I could go 65 without getting run over or falling asleep during the extra hour or two it takes to get somewhere...
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This is an ongoing debate, but, in general, a taller tire will NOT increase fuel economy. The added weight, and width
(unless someone starts to make a 255 95 16 or something similar!)
negate any benefit of lower rpms at highway speed.
another thought to consider, larger tires put more stress on your brakes, steering, suspension, etc.
They take more energy to get them moving and to stop them from moving.
I have stock tires 235 85 16 and 4.10 gears with the 5 speed (less over drive than an AT) believe me, I'd love to drop that rpm at highway speed, but short of dropping the big bucks on an auxiliary overdrive unit, I've not found a good way to do so... too bad there's not a kit for the zf5 trans to drop in something like a .6 od!
(unless someone starts to make a 255 95 16 or something similar!)
negate any benefit of lower rpms at highway speed.
another thought to consider, larger tires put more stress on your brakes, steering, suspension, etc.
They take more energy to get them moving and to stop them from moving.
I have stock tires 235 85 16 and 4.10 gears with the 5 speed (less over drive than an AT) believe me, I'd love to drop that rpm at highway speed, but short of dropping the big bucks on an auxiliary overdrive unit, I've not found a good way to do so... too bad there's not a kit for the zf5 trans to drop in something like a .6 od!
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I went from the stock 235's to 285's and found a nice drop in rpm's. Now I can cruise comfortably at 70 mph without feeling that engine strain. I don't know about the change in mileage, but I think with the little increase in width it must be a little better, when it is empty I fill it.I run 4.10's and 5spd.
[ QUOTE ]
This is an ongoing debate, but, in general, a taller tire will NOT increase fuel economy. The added weight, and width
(unless someone starts to make a 255 95 16 or something similar!)
negate any benefit of lower rpms at highway speed.
another thought to consider, larger tires put more stress on your brakes, steering, suspension, etc.
They take more energy to get them moving and to stop them from moving.
I have stock tires 235 85 16 and 4.10 gears with the 5 speed (less over drive than an AT) believe me, I'd love to drop that rpm at highway speed, but short of dropping the big bucks on an auxiliary overdrive unit, I've not found a good way to do so... too bad there's not a kit for the zf5 trans to drop in something like a .6 od!
[/ QUOTE ]
Not sure if we can say that lowering the effective gear ratio with taller tires doesn't help some as Quadzilla has 35s with 4.11 and has always gotten really good MPG with this truck. Have to agree that the taller but wider tires are not as effective as taller gears or an auxillary OD. But I think if you do lots of highway and very little stop and go you will see a pretty good increase in MPG with a taller tire.
JMHO
Tim
This is an ongoing debate, but, in general, a taller tire will NOT increase fuel economy. The added weight, and width
(unless someone starts to make a 255 95 16 or something similar!)
negate any benefit of lower rpms at highway speed.
another thought to consider, larger tires put more stress on your brakes, steering, suspension, etc.
They take more energy to get them moving and to stop them from moving.
I have stock tires 235 85 16 and 4.10 gears with the 5 speed (less over drive than an AT) believe me, I'd love to drop that rpm at highway speed, but short of dropping the big bucks on an auxiliary overdrive unit, I've not found a good way to do so... too bad there's not a kit for the zf5 trans to drop in something like a .6 od!
[/ QUOTE ]
Not sure if we can say that lowering the effective gear ratio with taller tires doesn't help some as Quadzilla has 35s with 4.11 and has always gotten really good MPG with this truck. Have to agree that the taller but wider tires are not as effective as taller gears or an auxillary OD. But I think if you do lots of highway and very little stop and go you will see a pretty good increase in MPG with a taller tire.
JMHO
Tim
Well the 255/85/16 I am runnin is 33.1 tall, thats 1-1/2" taller than stock 235, and only 10" wide which is only 3/4 " wider, seems to be a good happy medium as the 285 or 295 /75 is pretty similar in height and 11-1/2 " wide which probably creates more drag less mpg. That 265/ 85 would be nice it's a little taller 3/4" than the 255 but same width, seems like it may be discontinued size.
No more ideas? Would adding an 1- 1-1/2 in. to the width lose that much mileage if the tire was the same height or an inch taller than what I'm running now. I'm considering 285 (same height 1 in. wider) or 295 (1 inch taller and 1 inch wider. These tall and narrow tires are getting hard to find, well at least in the tread I like. Anyone have any experience with a Maxxis MA -761 Bravo A/T, nice all around tread, but not many dealers?
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I started with the stock 285. Went to the 285/75 and noticed better highway mpg. Current set are 315/75 and it is exactly the same as the 285, so either width has something to do with it or it is general rolling resistance of the tire that is better or worse.
[ QUOTE ]
I started with the stock 285. Went to the 285/75 and noticed better highway mpg. Current set are 315/75 and it is exactly the same as the 285, so either width has something to do with it or it is general rolling resistance of the tire that is better or worse.
[/ QUOTE ]
Do you mean 235 stock, then 285???
I started with the stock 285. Went to the 285/75 and noticed better highway mpg. Current set are 315/75 and it is exactly the same as the 285, so either width has something to do with it or it is general rolling resistance of the tire that is better or worse.
[/ QUOTE ]
Do you mean 235 stock, then 285???
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Sorry I got ahead of myself. I started with the stock 235
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I would LOVE to try a set of 255 85 16, I've yet to see them anywhere in this area, I think I'd have to order them.
Certainly the tread pattern has a huge effect on mileage as well.
Aggressive tread generally means poor rolling resistance.
The goodyear wrangler HT for example is pretty much a highway only tire.... not too good in snow or mud, but quiet and smooth and great for rolling resistance on the highway.
Something like the BFG mud tires... well, chances are if they are loud, they have poor rolling resistance... all depends on what you want out of your tires.
I had 235/85, 265/75, and 285/75 on my '88. I have to say I liked the feel and look of the 265 the best, the 285 were too heavy in terms of steering feel and were a bit noisy for my taste.
I think the 255/85 or the 265/75 is about the perfect tire for these trucks if you want something a bit bigger than stock without needing a lift kit.
If someone finds a good place to get the 255-85-16 tire without outrageous shipping charges, please let me know!
Certainly the tread pattern has a huge effect on mileage as well.
Aggressive tread generally means poor rolling resistance.
The goodyear wrangler HT for example is pretty much a highway only tire.... not too good in snow or mud, but quiet and smooth and great for rolling resistance on the highway.
Something like the BFG mud tires... well, chances are if they are loud, they have poor rolling resistance... all depends on what you want out of your tires.
I had 235/85, 265/75, and 285/75 on my '88. I have to say I liked the feel and look of the 265 the best, the 285 were too heavy in terms of steering feel and were a bit noisy for my taste.
I think the 255/85 or the 265/75 is about the perfect tire for these trucks if you want something a bit bigger than stock without needing a lift kit.
If someone finds a good place to get the 255-85-16 tire without outrageous shipping charges, please let me know!
[ QUOTE ]
I would LOVE to try a set of 255 85 16, I've yet to see them anywhere in this area, I think I'd have to order them.
Certainly the tread pattern has a huge effect on mileage as well.
Aggressive tread generally means poor rolling resistance.
The goodyear wrangler HT for example is pretty much a highway only tire.... not too good in snow or mud, but quiet and smooth and great for rolling resistance on the highway.
Something like the BFG mud tires... well, chances are if they are loud, they have poor rolling resistance... all depends on what you want out of your tires.
I had 235/85, 265/75, and 285/75 on my '88. I have to say I liked the feel and look of the 265 the best, the 285 were too heavy in terms of steering feel and were a bit noisy for my taste.
I think the 255/85 or the 265/75 is about the perfect tire for these trucks if you want something a bit bigger than stock without needing a lift kit.
If someone finds a good place to get the 255-85-16 tire without outrageous shipping charges, please let me know!
[/ QUOTE ]
The 255 is the ultimate, just tough to get in the pattern I like, why did'nt you like the 285? the extra width kills the mpg?
I would LOVE to try a set of 255 85 16, I've yet to see them anywhere in this area, I think I'd have to order them.
Certainly the tread pattern has a huge effect on mileage as well.
Aggressive tread generally means poor rolling resistance.
The goodyear wrangler HT for example is pretty much a highway only tire.... not too good in snow or mud, but quiet and smooth and great for rolling resistance on the highway.
Something like the BFG mud tires... well, chances are if they are loud, they have poor rolling resistance... all depends on what you want out of your tires.
I had 235/85, 265/75, and 285/75 on my '88. I have to say I liked the feel and look of the 265 the best, the 285 were too heavy in terms of steering feel and were a bit noisy for my taste.
I think the 255/85 or the 265/75 is about the perfect tire for these trucks if you want something a bit bigger than stock without needing a lift kit.
If someone finds a good place to get the 255-85-16 tire without outrageous shipping charges, please let me know!
[/ QUOTE ]
The 255 is the ultimate, just tough to get in the pattern I like, why did'nt you like the 285? the extra width kills the mpg?
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The 285 felt heavy in the steering, and I didn't like how the truck handled, I also thought they were too wide for the truck.
Those same tires are on my friends SD and we had to trim his front mud flaps so they wouldn't hit in tight parking lot turns. He thinks he'll go back to the 265 stock size on his truck, he doesn't like the steering feel either.
Those same tires are on my friends SD and we had to trim his front mud flaps so they wouldn't hit in tight parking lot turns. He thinks he'll go back to the 265 stock size on his truck, he doesn't like the steering feel either.
milner351...you might want review this Thread. There were some ideas posted on who makes the 255/85's. Click Here
Griz
Griz
For me the best for mileage is the stock 235's. I can consistently go from the va/nc line on interstate 95 to the fl/ga state line traveling at 80-85 mph without stopping for fuel and still have just less than 1/4 tank left in one tank. Of course I have 3.55 gears though. I really want to put some bigger tires on it but with that kind of mileage it is really hard for me to do.
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I'm envious of you guys with 3.55, ironic really, seems the guys that want tall tires and lift kits end up with 3.55 and the guys that want mileage end up with the 4.10! Too bad we can't be closer together geographically, and just have a big axle swapping party! The gear swap is just too pricey to contemplate, having a 4x4 requiring the swap of front and rear with a matched set of gears....
I suppose I should just start running some veggie oil and forget about it!
Thanks for the link to the 255-85 line... I have a nice set of 23585 generals, with two spares... lots of tread left, anyone need a set, if I can sell them, I could buy 255-85...
I suppose I should just start running some veggie oil and forget about it!
Thanks for the link to the 255-85 line... I have a nice set of 23585 generals, with two spares... lots of tread left, anyone need a set, if I can sell them, I could buy 255-85...
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