Please Help Me Get Off The Fence

[ftlee20723]

What I have my mind made up about is that I am going with BFG AT TA KO tires. What I don't have my mind made up about is what size.

I really like the bigger 275-70-17 tires that are on LWN's and Harper's 4Runner TE. However, I am not sure that I can live with the "harsh" ride of the "E" load-rated tire. I will never take my 4Runner offroad. I wish I knew how harsh it was going to be.

So, my choice is: 265-70-17 "C" load-rated or 275-70-17 "E" load-rated.

Please help me get off the fence. :wink2:

 

[Timberrr]

Seeing as there is not a Tremendous Size difference. But there is a weight difference I would go 265. Gonna have a lil better MPG and they might actually perform better offroad. Reason being when you air down the lighter/thinner sidewall will conform to obstacles better which will increase traction. Also you won't have to run as low an air pressure to achieve this.

Of course if you don't care about any of the above and you want the Rig to look better at the MALL get the 275's.

 

[doodman]

Seeing as there is not a Tremendous Size difference. But there is a weight difference I would go 265. Gonna have a lil better MPG and they might actually perform better offroad. Reason being when you air down the lighter/thinner sidewall will conform to obstacles better which will increase traction. Also you won't have to run as low an air pressure to achieve this.

Of course if you don't care about any of the above and you want the Rig to look better at the MALL get the 275's.

:iagree:

 

[ftlee20723]

doodman,

I notice that your General Grabber AT2 LT265/70R17 are "E" load-rated as well. Is that correct? If so, how harsh is your ride?

 

[T4Fun]

the difference between a 265 and 275 on a 7 INCH wide x 17 rim is un noticeable. You would be better off getting the e rated tire as the non E tires are a bit bouncy on stock sr5s. tire racks website shows you specs on tire you want.

 

[doodman]

doodman,

I notice that your General Grabber AT2 LT265/70R17 are "E" load-rated as well. Is that correct? If so, how harsh is your ride?

That's correct, they are Load E rated. To be quite honest, I can't tell the difference b/w the Grabbers and the stock tires. But then again, I expected the ride to be harsh when I switched from a sports car to an SUV. Otherwise, I see no difference so if I were in your position, I'd just go for the E rating.

(PS. Consider the Grabbers... They are great tires for a low price. I was deciding b/w the BFG AT TA KO and the Grabbers, and was sold on the Grabbers bc of decent user reviews and the incredible price - plus they look awesome!)

 

[ftlee20723]

Consider the Grabbers...

I wish they came in the 275 size. If I am going to run "E" tires, I might as well upgrade to the 275 tire.

Now I need to figure this out. It is always something. ;-)

So, the overall diameter of our full-size spare is 31.7". If someone upgraded their tires to the BFG AT 275-70-17 the overall diameter of that tire is 32.2". Since you cannot turn VSC off (re-enables itself @ 32MPH), what would that mean if you had to run on the spare until you got to the tire store?

 

[bradj]

What I have my mind made up about is that I am going with BFG AT TA KO tires. What I don't have my mind made up about is what size.

I really like the bigger 275-70-17 tires that are on LWN's and Harper's 4Runner TE. However, I am not sure that I can live with the "harsh" ride of the "E" load-rated tire. I will never take my 4Runner offroad. I wish I knew how harsh it was going to be.

So, my choice is: 265-70-17 "C" load-rated or 275-70-17 "E" load-rated.

Please help me get off the fence. :wink2:

If your never going to offroad why even consider the e rated tire? You'll get worse gas mileage and pay extra for something you don't need.

 

[ftlee20723]

If your never going to offroad why even consider the e rated tire?

Because I think the 275 tire "looks" better. I don't know but, it looks like it fills up the wheel-well better.

 

[ftlee20723]

You would be better off getting the e rated tire

I am actually shocked that you recommend an "E" load-rated tire. I did read it correct right? Every tire store around me has recommended that I go with "C".

Flip (265) - Flop (275) - Flip (265) - Flop (275) - Flip (265) - Flop (275). Somebody shoot me already. :gun6:

I think I am going to go with the 275 since that is what I originally wanted and if I don't like it, maybe I could sell them for a least a little something and get the 265s. I just hope I don't have an issue if I have to limp to a tire store on the spare.

Whatcha think?

P.S. Will the turning radius change at all with the wider tire?

 

[LWN]

Personally, I think the 2010 rides great with the 275 TA KO's. Now my 1998 with the 275's rode like a beast - very stiff suspension; whoop-de-dos might cause me to loose a filling or two, but imo, for the 2010 model, they have the perfect suspension balance - not too stiff, not too weak.

Just my two cents, but I couldn't be happier with my 275 e-rated BFG TA KO tires. Very well mannered on the asphalt, yet rides great off-road.

 

[JFDATLAW]

I bought the BFG ATs for my wife's SUV to replace a set of Grabbers. She (and I) said it rode better, got much better traction and, of course, looked cooler. I understand the arguments for the smaller size but every time I've done an upgrade and been "responsible" I regretted it later. It's not like you're getting mud terrains for show so live it up and get the slightly larger size.

 

[ftlee20723]

Well, LWN came in here last night and knocked me off the fence. :wink2: I bought the BFG AT 275-70-17s. They will be getting installed tomorrow @ 1200 EST. I will take pictures.