275 tire question(s)

[sf jakey]

Well, after much deliberation about what vehicle I want, I Have decided to sell my 2011 trail and buy a 2016 trail premium. Why? I hate cloth seats, the camera in the mirror is insufficient, I need the 12v ports in the rear seats for kids, the new black interior is much nicer and I like the new look much better. I do find my 11 to be the perfect everyday vehicle and roadtripper, but they refined it quite a bit in 14 imho.
My question is, and I have read every thread I can find on this, how bad is the hit on fuel mileage and ride quality when going to the BFG KO 2 in the 275 size? I currently run a 265 bfg and average about 18, 20+on the highway. I dont want to go 285, too much mods needed, but the 275 seems like the perfect size for a stock ride.
My plan is to upgrade the tires immediately, so im trying to decide 265 vs 275

 

[JWS]

I replaced the stock 245's on my Limited with 275/55/20 Nitto Terra Grapplers and didn't notice any difference in fuel mileage.

Not saying there isn't, just not enough for me to notice! And that's also going from a car tire to an A/T tire.

 

[4RunnerAU]

1-2MPGs is my guess.

 

[mbumpus11]

I put KO2 275s on and the difference I've seen is right around 2 mpg. Ride comfort (to me) isn't compromised because the stronger tires take bumps/holes/reflectors better than any other tire I've ever had.

Go 275 on the KO2s and you won't be disappointed at all.

 

[96706RROMJP]

Im running 275 55 R20s and my fuel mileage actually got better from 18.0 to 18.2 mpg.

 

[rigtec]

1-2MPGs is my guess.

Hi 4RunnerAU,

The 275 in the tire size represents 275mm in width; which shouldn't affect the MPG more than a 'marginal' amount due to the added friction on the pavement as a result of it's larger surface area on road. The next figure, e.g., 55 represents the sidewall height in % (percentage) as compared to the tire's width. If you went smaller (less sidewall height), MPG will suffer as the wheels will need to spin faster to travel the same distance as the original tires. But if you went larger e.g., 70 percent (more sidewall height), you would increase the MPG as the wheels will turn slower to travel the same distance as the original tires, BUT... torque (acceleration) will suffer; there's 'no free lunch' here, only a trade-off! Hope this helps,

Regards!

 

[4RunnerAU]

Hi 4RunnerAU,



The 275 in the tire size is 275mm in width; which shouldn't affect the MPG more than a 'marginal' amount due to the added friction on the pavement as a result of it's larger surface area on road. The next figure, e.g., 55 represents the sidewall height in % (percentage) as compared to the tire's width. If you went smaller (less sidewall height), MPG will suffer as the wheels will need to spin faster to travel the same distance as the original tires. But if you went larger e.g., 70 percent (more sidewall height), you would increase the MPG as the wheels will turn slower to travel the same distance as the original tires, BUT... torque (acceleration) will suffer; there's 'no free lunch' here, only a trade-off! Hope this helps,



Regards!

You basically could have said that the tires are wider so gas mileage will go down and the tire diameter increased which will increase your highway MPGs but decrease your city MPGs. Yet remember that these are ATs, so you have increased rolling resistance and that amplifies the bigger you go. I am guessing that OP will see his MPGs drop by 1MPG, which seems consistent with what other users have reported in other threads.

 

[Avalon786]

Another question is does a 275 really fit a stock set-up? I've read reports of rubbing.

 

[inv1GRated]

If your BFG 265's are load range C, the 275's will be heavier since they only come in load range E. The added weight is noticeable and can affect the MPGs. For me, the 275's were a noticeable increase in weight from my factory 20's. I'm on my first full tank after switching to the BFGs so I can't put a figure on the loss in MPGs. I can say that the added weight has negatively affected the acceleration and braking of my truck (slightly), but hey it's a truck and not a performance car.

No rubbing with the 275/70/17 KO2s on 2014+ trail wheels on my 2014 LE 4x4 with stock suspension. I did also read some people's reports of slight rubbing with the same tires at stock height.

 

[sf jakey]

If your BFG 265's are load range C, the 275's will be heavier since they only come in load range E. The added weight is noticeable and can affect the MPGs. For me, the 275's were a noticeable increase in weight from my factory 20's. I'm on my first full tank after switching to the BFGs so I can't put a figure on the loss in MPGs. I can say that the added weight has negatively affected the acceleration and braking of my truck (slightly), but hey it's a truck and not a performance car.

This is one of my biggest concerns. 10lbs per tire is ALOT and I am concerned it will really have a negative impact on performance and mpg. My mpg concerns are not because of fuel costs, but because of how it reduces my range.

 

[inv1GRated]

This is one of my biggest concerns. 10lbs per tire is ALOT and I am concerned it will really have a negative impact on performance and mpg. My mpg concerns are not because of fuel costs, but because of how it reduces my range.

Range is definitely a valid concern. I was averaging about 290 miles on a tank (19-20 gallon fill up). I'm almost empty now and don't expect to get any more than 260 miles on this tank. This tank is a mix of the factory 20s and the 17" 275's, and some mountain driving compared to my usual stop and go traffic on the freeway, so not quite accurate. And since the overall diameter is slightly larger, need to factor in that when calculating MPGs now. But, I am definitely too lazy at this point. I'll just see how it averages on the next few tanks.

 

[rigtec]

"...Yet remember that these are ATs, so you have increased rolling resistance..."

I totally agree with the above part of your statement, But...

"...and that amplifies the bigger you go..."

I struggle with this part. The added friction/resistance is only a result of the greater surface contact with the road; which does not continue to change along with the tire's diameter, unless the width designation number (275) changes; i.e., goes up from a 275 to a 285. A measured 275mm tire will (basically) still be 275mm (if it is still published as 275); even if the tire's diameter goes up... I do think though, that this may vary from one manufacturer to another, but not if it's "a fair" apples to apples comparison. ...just my opinion,

Rgds!

 

[rigtec]

Another question is does a 275 really fit a stock set-up? I've read reports of rubbing.

Hi Avalon,

This may help: https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...ds-cse&usg=AFQjCNFnmIQXDz_g2m7mEun0JofORQrLpQ

EDIT: I'm running 275/55 R20s and no rubbing unless I crank the steering wheel while hitting a pitched entrance driveway at the same time!

Cheers

 

[96706RROMJP]

Thats true it affects acceleration but you can really tell the diffrence when braking guess from the added weight from the AT tires. But hey, it sure does change the look on the t4r , i think 275 55 R20 should be the tires thats sold on the LE.

 

[rigtec]

Thats true it affects acceleration but you can really tell the diffrence when braking guess from the added weight from the AT tires. But hey, it sure does change the look on the t4r , i think 275 55 R20 should be the tires thats sold on the LE.

"Definitely, we're on the very same page!" Ever since I put the Good-year 275/55 R20's on, it behaves like a different vehicle and I still can't believe the way the limited handles, tracks, and corners at high speeds; "extremely firm-footed". 'look at the difference':

The one on the left (above) is the 'original equipment' Geolander (245/60 R20) still full of air (@35 psi). The one on the right... the 275/55 R20 just off of the shelf/No rim; quite a jump in width and diameter! Here's better view (below) for comparison:

"...Swapping over to the 275/55 R20 has been the very best investment that I've made since buying the vehicle!" ...thanks for the chat...

Best to you!

 

[1engineer]

Guys, guys. Put a heavier tire on, mpgs suffer, especially in town. Put a more aggressive tread design on, mpgs will suffer. Put a wider tire on, mpgs will suffer. I can show the math but I have done so countless times already. OP you will lose about 5% efficiency during normal driving. That's also reduced range so from 300 to 285 miles for example. Basically it's gonna cost you a gallon of gas every fill up to run those tires. Worth it? Your choice.

 

[brian2sun]

If you're concrned about gas mileage, I say don't get the KO2s. They're about 15 lbs heavier (each) than the stock tires. They are great tires, but not in the fuel mileage dept. When my stock tires are shot, I'll most likely get 275s, but I'll probably look for an A/T in load range C so the mpg hit will be marginal. Cs will also ride nicer (than Es).. Es will be a stiffer ride, if that matters to you.

 

[sf jakey]

Guys, guys. Put a heavier tire on, mpgs suffer, especially in town. Put a more aggressive tread design on, mpgs will suffer. Put a wider tire on, mpgs will suffer. I can show the math but I have done so countless times already. OP you will lose about 5% efficiency during normal driving. That's also reduced range so from 300 to 285 miles for example. Basically it's gonna cost you a gallon of gas every fill up to run those tires. Worth it? Your choice.

Thank you. Exactly what I figured and explained perfectly

 

[sf jakey]

If you're concrned about gas mileage, I say don't get the KO2s. They're about 15 lbs heavier (each) than the stock tires. They are great tires, but not in the fuel mileage dept. When my stock tires are shot, I'll most likely get 275s, but I'll probably look for an A/T in load range C so the mpg hit will be marginal. Cs will also ride nicer (than Es).. Es will be a stiffer ride, if that matters to you.

I've been very happy with all my BFG AT tires and will stick with them. No need to experiment. The 265 comes in a C and I may end up back with that. I just don't have faith the stockers will hold up off road at all.

 

[mbumpus11]

This is one of my biggest concerns. 10lbs per tire is ALOT and I am concerned it will really have a negative impact on performance and mpg. My mpg concerns are not because of fuel costs, but because of how it reduces my range.

Concerning your range, if I'm driving only highway I've gotten 360 miles out of a tank multiple, multiple times. I'm riding 275s on stock suspension. No rubbing issues either.