265/70R17 vs 275/70R17

[Laubage]

Hey guys, new to the forum but I am curious to see what you guys think. I have a 2011 SR5 that I'm looking at getting new tires for. I don't offroad seriously, but I do want a car that is somewhat capable of going off road/driving in snow.

With the 275's, I know I'll be losing mpg and getting more traction, but is the extra traction I gain worth losing the extra mpg? How much mpg loss are people seeing when they switch. My plan was to get the BFG All-terrians.

Is there anything else I gain/lose out of switching to a bigger tire?

 

[ply2win]

The differences you will notice will be a loss in fuel economy, power and your speedomiter isn't gonna read accurate. You are choosing one of the best all around tires, but it is larger. They only build the tire in the E load range for that size so it's a much heavier tire compared to what you have now. Your changes are not dirastic (.28" in height, .04" in width, .55" in overal diameter and just over a mile and hour more on the speed.) So your biggest isue will be the weight of the tire (54.87lbs). But good choice in tire, It's the only brand I run.

 

[28fiend]

Aside from being heavier, the side walls will be stiffer. Which would normally lead to a stiffer ride, but many on here who have made the swap say they didn't notice a difference.

 

[thirstyturtle]

My friend with a 2007 lost 1.5 mpg's when switching from the stock Dunlops to the E-Range BFG A/T and he stayed at the stock 265/65-17. But I think the added looks and traction and offeoad capability make you for it, so does he.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Are you set on the BFG's? I think there are better options out there.

Going from 265/70/17 to 275/70/17 isn't a big deal. Depending on the specific dimensions of the tire, the only difference will be 0.4" wider and 0.6" taller per tire.

The biggest difference is going to be going from a passenger rated tire to a light truck tire.

 

[Laubage]

I lost track of this thread, but I'll bring it back! I'm not set on BFG AT's but from what I can tell they are the benchmark for all-terrain tires and they function well in the snow too. That's why I was really looking into it.

I'm pretty undecided about which size to get. If I get the 265's though, I will probably get them in the C-load range instead of E... Unless there is a difference that makes up the 1.5mpg loss.

I'm not a heavy off roader (my 4runner is 2wd), but it is nice to have some extra capability, and I hate getting stuck in the snow.

 

[Bahnstoermer]

I lost track of this thread, but I'll bring it back! I'm not set on BFG AT's but from what I can tell they are the benchmark for all-terrain tires and they function well in the snow too.

I am a BFG AT mega-supporter. 100k miles on my last SUV with them and they're worlds ahead in capability. Who wouldn't want double the life and double the ability? LOL

Now if only they made them in sizes for the lifted SUV crowd and not so much for the full size pickup crowd that would make me really happy. (Taller/thinner in lower load ratings and weights). It seems to me we're stuck choosing from sizes and load ratings more for 3/4 ton pickups where if you want to go taller you have to go wider and heavier as well, but such is living in a culture dominated by SUVs that cruise the mall parking lots.