Tall and Thin Tires?

[Malachi]

Some TS members have used 235/85-16 tires on their Tundra. I am curious how the Tundra handled with this size tire? Did you notice any difference in the following compared to the stock size that came on the Tundra:

Ride?
Handling?
Power Loss?
Less Gas Mileage?

[Cropdoc]

It was me.
Cooper Discoverer M+S Light Truck 235/85R16. Awesome tire in mud, slush & snow. Rode and handled perfectly. My son bought the 2000 from me with those skins on it. Drove it last week again. Just fine.
I like and run big rubber, however those 235's were the most sensible tire I've ever owned.

[Cropdoc]

Sorry, forgot your other questions.
It's only a 31.78" dia tire. Not much larger than stock 30" rubber. They roll better than my 33" 285 meats do.

[H2O_MAN]

As mentioned HERE I'm running 215/85/16 10 ply radials.
I run 50 psi and other than the sound of the tread the thing I've noticed is reduced lateral traction at speed.
4 wheel drifts are kinda fun in a Tundra

[Cropdoc]

10 ply??? They'll be awfully stiff.

[H2O_MAN]

Originally Posted by Cropdoc

10 ply??? They'll be awfully stiff.

Not at all.
This is my second season on them, even with 50 psi they
are only slightly stiffer than my LTX M/S fair weather tires.

The ride is smooth and forgiving.

[Malachi]

Originally Posted by Cropdoc

Sorry, forgot your other questions.
It's only a 31.78" dia tire. Not much larger than stock 30" rubber. They roll better than my 33" 285 meats do.

Yes, I noticed that the height is about 1 inch taller than my current 265/70-16's. That's what I'm considering for my truck but I'm a little hesitant because I don't want to compromise ride, handling, power loss, and less gas mileage. Although, a 235/85 may give me the height I'm looking for but since it is a narrower tire, it may roll just as easy as the 265's I have on now. Not sure just speculating.

[Cropdoc]

You will not compromise ride, handling or fuel mileage with that Cooper tire. They roll very easily due to the 235 sizing. It is a super tire in heavy rain also.

[H2O_MAN]

Originally Posted by Cropdoc

It is a super tire in heavy rain also.

Yeah, thin tires do cut through water on the road like a hot knife through butter.

My 265 LTX M/S hydroplaned from time to time when going through large puddles at speed, my 215 traction tires do not.

I'm now thinking about a thin set of fair weather tires ...

[USAFTUNDRA]

Originally Posted by H2O_MAN

Yeah, thin tires do cut through water on the road like a hot knife through butter.

My 265 LTX M/S hydroplaned from time to time when going through large puddles at speed, my 215 traction tires do not.

I'm now thinking about a thin set of fair weather tires ...

So did you ever go with the thin set for fair weather? I'm toying with getting a set of 235s to replace stock bridgestone.

[Cropdoc]

Nope. I have the big brake kit so have to run 20" rims. Can't get tall narrow tires in that size. Been running my Wrangler AT/S LT275/65R20 all winter. No problems in rain or snow or slush. HOWEVER, once the tread gets down I would not want to run them in snow or slush. Impossible to find many tires in 20" that don't have those stupid thin 45 sidewalls.

[kathyricks]

Tall tires with narrow tread are optimal for fuel economy. That's why the Corollas of the
1980's had ultra tall and narrow P155/80/13 tires. The downside is high speed cornering capability is deminished. In some social circles narrow tread is perceived as wimpy.

[cmb]

On my last truck ,99 Dodge 3/4 ton, had a set of Cooper 255-85-16. They were 33.21'' tall and a really good A.T. tread, and 19/32'' tread depth.The guy I sold the truck to wore 'em down to nothing after 45000 miles and called the tires junk. Truck weighed in at better than 7000 lbs so I think the Coopers were up to the task.

[Hugemoose]

Skinny is better

I have been running my 255/85 R16's for a while now and I love them. They are BFG M/T's and measure in a 33.4" tall with 19/32 tread. Although...i could use some gears now....

I have pictures in my gallery, but here is one

[T23]

Originally Posted by Cropdoc

It was me.
Cooper Discoverer M+S Light Truck 235/85R16. Awesome tire in mud, slush & snow. Rode and handled perfectly. My son bought the 2000 from me with those skins on it. Drove it last week again. Just fine.
I like and run big rubber, however those 235's were the most sensible tire I've ever owned.

Me too. Those are my winter tires. I live in AK and see my fair share of snow and ice. I got a set of those with studs and I can go any where I want in the winter. No chains needed!