Tire weight

LaserBlueZ71 · February 16, 2015

I am still struggling with choosing the right tire.

I am looking at all terrains. The lightest 33 inch AT I can find is actually the 295/65R18 Duratrac at 58 pounds. The Cooper ST Maxx, my second choice, is a 63 pound tire. The Toyo R/T tires, which are what I actually would like to get, are a whopping 71 pounds per tire for the 285/65R18 size.

How much is tire weight truly going to affect my performance and fuel economy? I am looking for first hand accounts from those who upped their tire size from the stock 265/65R18 to a 33 inch, LT rated AT tire.

The stock tires only weigh 41 pounds, so even if I went with the Duratracs, I am increasing my tire weight by almost 50%

kstruckcountry · February 16, 2015

I wouldn't really worry about the weight... I've found the weight doesn't really make a difference. My e rated tires are significantly heavier than the p metrics I had. However, no change in fuel mileage because I stuck with the stock size.

You'll find the larger diameter has much more of an effect than the added weight. Fuel economy = stock size tires.

GPGuy · February 16, 2015

i went from Goodyear A/T's to BFG A/T which are significantly heavier than stock and noticed very minimal difference in MPG.

Btw it's awesome that you still have the tag line "I've got an attractive woman burning down my house too darrick"

nadrojcote · March 2, 2015

33.1" cooper zeon ltz 55lb

http://www.treaddepot.com/tire/90000003480.html

These are one of the tires I am considering right now, I also really like the hankook dynapro atm I had on my previous truck.

newdude · March 2, 2015

275/70/18 Duratrac is 55lbs. 33.2" tire.

275/70/18 Cooper ST Maxx is 56lbs. 33.39" tire.

275/70/18 Cooper Zeon LTZ is 55lbs. 33.2" tire.

275/70/18 Toyo Open Country A/T II is 51lbs. 33.2" tire.

275/70/18 BFG A/T ko2 is 58.2lbs. 33.2" tire.

The 295 width is what is killing the weight. You can get the height you want with the 275/70/18 and there is still a good tire availability, and cut down on the weight. And if you are running factory wheels (18x8) the 295 will balloon quite a bit vs the 275, being that there is more width to the tire vs. the bead seating. Better tire wear too.

LaserBlueZ71 · March 4, 2015

The problem with 275/70 is tall narrow tires look awkward on a lifted truck.

The Cooper ST Maxx is out now. I have read numerous stories and heard one first person account of these tires being extremely dangerous on wet roads. Apparently they slip and slide all over the place, and lock up very easily. I live on the "wet coast", it rains here 7 months of the year, the very last tire I need is a tire that has terrible wet weather handling.

The Duratrac, well, I honestly don't feel the quality is there. It's an awesome tire, but I believe Toyo tires are made to a higher standard. Duratracs only get louder as they wear, and handling decreases significantly as they wear, almost to the point of being dangerous.

The only tire I can find that comes close to everything I am looking for, is the Toyo AT2. I wish they sold that in a true 33'', but the 32.6'' 285/65R18 will have to do. Talked to my local tire guy and he said you can tell a lot about the quality of a tire by how much it takes to balance it. They never have balancing problems with Toyo tires, and they take very very little weight to balance.

I might just say screw it and throw being sensible out the window. What I mean by that is, I may get the AT2 in 295/70R18 which is a 34.3'' tire, or I may opt for the heavier Toyo R/T in 285/65R18, as it's 32.8 inches and 11.50 wide.

I wonder how much of a difference the 295/70R18 would have on my power and economy? Probably a lot. It's damn near a 35 inch tire, the only saving grace is its closer to being a 34 and its 11.80 wide, but 12.50. I think height is better for fuel economy over width. Once you get a tall narrow tire up to speed, keeping it up to speed isnt such a big deal, and with a smaller contact patch, the resistance is less. Take a short, super wide tire and the huge resistance is always there, even once your up to speed.

Badbird2000 · March 5, 2015

Fwiw, I'm getting the Toyo AT2's, probably 275/65/18 when i get my allowance back from uncle sam..

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johnhankel · March 5, 2015

Fwiw, I'm getting the Toyo AT2's, probably 275/65/18 when i get my allowance back from uncle sam..

That is what I have on mine. Looks pretty good with a level.

GPGuy · March 6, 2015

That is what I have on mine. Looks pretty good with a level.

By the way..nice color and trim choice.

newdude · March 7, 2015

How lifted is (or is going to be) your truck?

delightskinned1 · December 16, 2017

I went from the stock 265/65/18 Bridgestone duelers to 275/70/18 BFG A/T on a leveled set up...you can for sure feel the weight difference for this particular brand... not major but definitely not as quick of the light anymore.

swathdiver · December 16, 2017

On 3/3/2015 at 10:02 PM, LaserBlueZ71 said:

I live on the "wet coast", it rains here 7 months of the year, the very last tire I need is a tire that has terrible wet weather handling.

My truck doesn't move at all doing 80 mph in torrential rains with BFG KO2s. Excellent wet weather tread and they look great too. Running stock size in a C-Ply to cut down on weight. 6 pounds heavier than stock each. The truck felt like it had a converter and would not coast with E-Ply BFG Rugged Trails @ 50 lbs each. It's now light and nimble and can pretty much go anywhere.