Are 255/85R16's becoming obsolete?

[Josparkz]

I've been happily running this size tire for some time. (I've particularly liked the Big O's brand road hazard, although I understand that has changed, too).

I went to the big O store today and they told me that those tires are not made anymore, (although they are listed on the website). I had googled several other brands for that size, and they do indeed seem to be getting scarce.

My truck ('96) came stock with (I believe) 6" rims. (I've got about 11 of them, so I'm not buying any different rims, either). I've been told that those (255's) were the widest tires that would go on there.

So the questions start. Has anyone else run into this situation?

If so, what have you done? There was another size that was taller and skinnier than the stock tires that also was a load range E. I think they were 225's but I don't remember. I do recall that they only needed a 1 tooth change in the speedo pinion, instead of a 2 (for the 255's) to correct speedo function.

Anybody have any input?

 

[AMink]

Was the other size the 235/85/16? Those still might be a little taller, or at least as tall, as the 245/75/16's that were stock. I ran the BigO 255's on my 97 and liked them.

 

[Excessive Force]

I run the 255's also. They are BFG Mud terrains,and for the cost i'm looking into running 285's. I think they're pretty close to the same height. The 255 is an oddball size,and not many manufacturers offer this size. I just bought one last fall and paid $189. 00. I do like them though,and originally started buying that size because they worked well on my dually. It could be worse though. You could own a really nice set of 16. 5 wheels that you spent a lot of money on,and now you're trying to find tires for them... ...

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

For the 2000+ crowd the 255 tires are the best option ever for the 3500's. I have had them ever scince day . . well two I got the truck in 2000. BFG has lost my vote as the ones I have are garbage (Quality is going down and $$$ going ^) Kelly , Cooper, and interco offer them.

 

[FLynes]

Wait a minute..... are you telling me that you can run 255's on a dually???? I was always under the impression that you could only run 235's, without having to add spacers. So if this is true, then what's the biggest size you can run on a dually without spacers?

 

[Josparkz]

Was the other size the 235/85/16? Those still might be a little taller, or at least as tall, as the 245/75/16's that were stock. I ran the BigO 255's on my 97 and liked them.

Yes, that was the size I was thinking of. As I recall they are an inch or so taller than the 245's, but skinnier.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Wait a minute..... are you telling me that you can run 255's on a dually???? I was always under the impression that you could only run 235's, without having to add spacers. So if this is true, then what's the biggest size you can run on a dually without spacers?

Yes. If it came STOCK with 215's then 235's will fit. If It came with 235's STOCK then 255's will fit. I have had 255's on the truck for 100K now.

 

[Excessive Force]

I ran them on a '95 dually with a 1/4" spacer. Worked great.

 

[BarryG]

The choices in that size are certainly diminishing. The Toyo M55 still comes in that size. I am running the M55 in a 285/75/16 size but will be switching to the 255/85 next go around later this year when I have to get new ones.

 

[Excessive Force]

For the 2000+ crowd the 255 tires are the best option ever for the 3500's. I have had them ever scince day . . well two I got the truck in 2000. BFG has lost my vote as the ones I have are garbage (Quality is going down and $$$ going ^) Kelly , Cooper, and interco offer them.

I have to agree with you on the BFG's. I will be checking out other brands next time.

 

[kscheffler]

I have been running the TOYO 255/85/16's for 20k and so far they have been great. Look like I will get 50k out of them. They are sold under the Light Commercial Tire if you look at them on the TOYO website. THey work great on snow and ice and gave me about 4 mph extra at 2,000 rpm as compared to the factorry 265/75/16.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Anybody familiar with theese. Basicly the same carcass as the BFG's but about 60 bucks less per tire.

tires-easy.com yahoo

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

still thinking of running the Thornbirds tho. "Gee arent they loud???" "If I can hear them over the rest of th etrucks drones, clatter and stuff I may turn the radio up a touch more"



TSL / Thornbird :: Interco Tire

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Or a taller version of the swamper 34"

Narrow S. S. :: Interco Tire

 

[Josparkz]

Anybody familiar with theese. Basicly the same carcass as the BFG's but about 60 bucks less per tire.

tires-easy.com yahoo

Les Schwab sells that Bighorn tire, for $182@. The price on the website is good, except for $33@ shipping to me and at least $10@ for mounting and balancing. I can't remember if the Schwab price included road hazard or not, though.

 

[GOTSOOT]

I run the 255`s on a `96 dually-5-spd. I think that they may be too tall, for any advantage for MPG. I will be leaving Monday W/5er to Beaufort S. C. hope to see some advantage over the 235`s, but I don`t think it will happen

 

[FLynes]

I'd be interested in seeing your results. Did you recalibrate the speedo, after you put the 255's on?

 

[JSellers]

Or a taller version of the swamper 34"

Narrow S. S. :: Interco Tire

Tool Man,



Did you look closely at the rating of that Super Swamper? It only carries a max inflation of 45psi - less than 2400lbs. capacity!



After my experience with the BF Goodrich Mud Terrains, I plan to use only E-rated tires from now on. Toyo has the M55 tire in an E-rated model, but I haven't inquired about price or availability yet. As far as I can tell, this is the only 10-ply rating available in 255/85r16.



Good luck with your search - let us know what you end up with.



John

 

[Josparkz]

Tool Man,



Did you look closely at the rating of that Super Swamper? It only carries a max inflation of 45psi - less than 2400lbs. capacity!



After my experience with the BF Goodrich Mud Terrains, I plan to use only E-rated tires from now on. Toyo has the M55 tire in an E-rated model, but I haven't inquired about price or availability yet. As far as I can tell, this is the only 10-ply rating available in 255/85r16.



Good luck with your search - let us know what you end up with.



John

$257 apiece is a price I was quoted.

 

[Paddy McMahon]

I ran BFG AT's in 285/75/16 in the summer and Les Schwab tires called a SXT M/T 255/85/16 that were pinned and had snow studs in the winter. The diameter of these two tires inflated is nearly identical. The latter tires are presently available from Les Schwab and are listed at $220 a piece. By virtue of their tall, skinny profile, they can be difficult to keep balanced. Tall, skinny tires like these provided unbelivable traction when driving on ice. I have yet to have a set of tires under my truck that did as well as these on ice covered roadways.