The Driveway Queen needs new tires. She has 265/75 on stock wheels right now and thinking of going to 245/75. I was wondering what the advantage/disadvantage would be other than the obvious truck height, revolutions/mile, and cost difference. 

Depends on how it is used, Seeing you have 4.10 gears I would stick with the 265's

Here is what I found...

 

 

Personally I would step down one more to 235/85 R16 and then you right on again.

 

 

 

http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-calculator/

75% of the time it's pulling the 5er and the rest is running empty. The 5er GVWR is 8k lb and the hitch weight is 960 lb.

I tried to go tall as possible with these 4.10's, I would have 35's if I didn't have duals.

What's the benefit by going tall or with the 265? The Queen was driven 4,061 mi last year so any tire I put on will rot off before its worn off.

Since you are towing 75% of time I would look at what speed you typically cruise at and backwards plan from there. The taller the tire the lower the performance there will be in overdrive while towing.

Taller tires will lower your rpm's but if your not driving 70+, go with which ever you can get the best deal on.

Since you are towing 75% of time I would look at what speed you typically cruise at and backwards plan from there. The taller the tire the lower the performance there will be in overdrive while towing.

 

BUt if you drop back to 3rd Gear (out of OverDrive) then you gain it back but back to the same problem of 4.10 gears.

BUt if you drop back to 3rd Gear (out of OverDrive) then you gain it back but back to the same problem of 4.10 gears.

Yep, better speed performance out of direct and a loss in OD. It's important to find the compromise.

With my current tire size I lost a couple of useful mph in 6th, but made 5th better at 60-65. For where I tow it works great.

The speed limit when towing here is 55 so most of my driving is 55-62 and never over 65.  Only in 3ed going up hills.

California 55 MPH towing law.

The speed limit when towing here is 55 so most of my driving is 55-62 and never over 65.  Only in 3ed going up hills.

Any of the sizes will work then.

I like 267/75 and 255/85 personally.

 

I stayed with 265/75s when I bought tires last fall...  I like the way they look on my truck.  

 

Admittedly, I don't tow a lot but when I do, I have the 4.10 ratio disease as well.  I know it's not recommended to tow in OD but I can't live with the screamin engine.   

 

So...  I compromise...  I tow in OD where it's easy going.  Down hill & flat.  Up hill I slow down & drop out of OD.  The problem is little bumps in the roads where it's a judgement call...  typically I'll run into them before down shifting. 

 

I can't say I recommend this but I feel it's what I have to do.   

Edited March 26, 201510 yr by flagmanruss

When I bought my '99 she had LT245/75 16E Michelin LTX M&S tires on her.  Those are the tires I got 125,000 miles out of in 4.5 years of driving.

 

I your case, I really don't think it matters what size tire you get.  Cheaper is gooder though!!

My OEM 265/75 x16 were Michilin LTX & I got 14 years out of them...  still legal tread but only 65,000.  Mostly light miles.  These oughtto last the rest of my natural lifetime.  LOL!  (If not, I'll come back to haunt Mr Cooper)

I've got a line on some nearly new Michilins on a totaled Ford van. He thinks they are 245s but not sure. I get to see them on Monday. I'll try to get the lot for $200 or best offer.

 

Thank you all for the insight and help. I'll keep you posted.

 

While doing research I came across this web site you might fine useful. Check out the "tire size help" column.    http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-calculator/      

I've got a line on some nearly new Michilins on a totaled Ford van. He thinks they are 245s but not sure. I get to see them on Monday. I'll try to get the lot for $200 or best offer.

 

Thank you all for the insight and help. I'll keep you posted.

 

While doing research I came across this web site you might fine useful. Check out the "tire size help" column.    http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-calculator/      

 

  You might look back at post #3...

                 So that's where it came from.      

I picked up 5 Michelin 245/75R16 LTX A/T2 off the totaled van today. The fronts have 11/32", the rears have 12/32" left and the spare is new. I paid $185 for the 5 tires.       It cost $25 to have them mounted and balanced with new high pressure valve stems at a tire shop that I do a lot of business with.  Even though I went from the 265/75 to the 245/75 the price was just to good to turn down.

Good score!

Time to turn some extra  rpms while cruising :-)

 

70 mph is about a 85 rpm increase in OD. 

55 mph is about a 65 rpm increase in OD and about 95 in 3rd. 

 

Towing at 55 will be 1770 in 4th and 2560 in 3rd.