Wide VS Narrow Tires Comparison Test (Pizza Cutters to Wide)

[Administrator]

And this was another really good wide vs. narrow tire comparison from a few months ago.

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[ATXian]

I’m running wider tires on the Jeep for crawling but definitely going with pizza cutters for the truck. Plus you can fit taller tires more easily, and better gas mileage too; it’s a win-win.

 

[1996-to-2025]

When it comes time to replace the OEM tires, I'm sticking with 255s and upping the aspect ratio.

 

[OddEntity]

I just wish I could find a 255/80r17 load range C option. At that size they're all load range E.
Prove me wrong, please! I'm about to pull the trigger on 285/70r17s just so I keep it at load range C...

 

[ATXian]

I just wish I could find a 255/80r17 load range C option. At that size they're all load range E.

That is the one downside of pizza cutters; because they’re more common for people who actually use their trucks as trucks, they aren’t really available in lighter load ranges.
My take on it, broadly, is that it’s going to be a step up either way, so not something to worry about, but I also have had E-rated tires on the aforementioned Jeep for well over a decade so I’m already quite adapted to a bit less sidewall cushion feel.

 

[Valhalla]

Not all E rated are the same, look at actual load capacity and stick to the lower end, lower weight. Also see if you can find a D rated.

 

[superj]

The problem with e rated tires is the weight.

 

[ATXian]

The problem with e rated tires is the weight.

Is it, though?

To compare some common tire suggestions:

• LT255/80̸R17 (E-rated)

  • Falken Wildpeak A/T4W — 58.1 lbs
  • Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx — 51 lbs
  • Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac RT — 54.1 lbs
  • Nitto Ridge Grappler — 55 lbs

  • Average — 54.6 lbs
• LT285/70̸R17 (C-rated)

  • Falken Wildpeak A/T4W — 65.4 lbs
  • BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO3 FOR — 57.0̸ lbs
  • BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO3 RWL — 56 lbs (Discount Tire) or 51.3 lbs (BFG)
  • Nitto Ridge Grappler — 58 lbs
  • Toyo Tire Open Country R/T Trail — 56 lbs (Discount Tire) or 60 lbs (Toyo)

  • Average (mfg specs) — 58.3 lbs
• LT285/70̸R17 (E-rated)
  I got tired of linking but here's the Discount Tire search page; I verified mfg numbers where I could.

  • BFG KO3 — 60̸.1 lbs
  • Falken A/T4W — 65.4 lbs
  • Goodyear Duratrac RT — 58.9 lbs
  • Goodyear Duratrac — 60̸.65 lbs
  • Nokian Outpost nAT — 54 lbs
  • Michelin LTX A/T 2 — 52.8 lbs
  • Toyo R/T Trail — 58 lbs

  • Average — 58.6 lbs
    and goes up just one pound if you drop the Michelins & lighter Duratracs

I'm legitimately not trying to cherry-pick here, so do feel free to verify your own numbers, but E-rated tires are just too heavy! is not as axiomatically true as it was 20̸+ years ago.

 

[Bushmechanic]

The problem with e rated tires is the weight.

True. That is the only proper downside.

Ride comfort is a trade-off, as an E rated tire will retain a more stable tread section than a C rated tire, improving handling. The same carcass that provides that benefit, however, removes some of the tire's effect from the suspension of the vehicle.

You don't have to give up comfort completely, though. E rated tires simply force you to consider your spring rate and shock valving more carefully. On the Raptor, unfortunately, you're not going to be able to completely tailor that without replacing those expensive shocks.

There's also the benefit of moving to larger tires, which most people seem to want to do. Even a little bit of extra sidewall makes a massive difference in harshness and, with an E rated tire, you're not giving up as much handling potential as you would with a similarly sized C rated tire.

That can all be affected by ply turn-up and sidewall fill, however. Some E rated tires, such as those from General, aren't messing around. The most vulnerable portions of sidewall are thoroughly enforced, in that regard, which can lead to a little more harshness.

 

[RaptorME]

So 255/80 is confirmed to fit the stock wheels?

 

[ATXian]

So 255/80 is confirmed to fit the stock wheels?

For you RRaptor guys*, 255/80̸ is nearly the exact same size as the stock 285/70̸R17; it's just 33×10̸ instead of 32.7×11.2 (slightly taller, a bit narrower). All the 255s I'm aware of are approved for up to 9"-wide wheels, and y'all's are 8.5. Zero issue.

*I didn't realize this was the RRF when I hopped in; I just have a keyword alert for "pizza cutters"

 

[RaptorME]

Good to know, I'm thinking for winter here in Maine that may be a worthwhile swap.

 

[jeffers]

I've been kind of curious about the Toyo Open Country A/T III EV. Its designed for EV's so lower weight and lower rolling resistance. They say its tuned for EV's but I think the only thing that means is for efficiency so you don't cut range. You might be able go larger without wiping out your mpg's. I just don't like to be the first person to try it and find out why maybe it isn't a good idea. If you look at the weight of something like a Rivian they are way heavier than our Rangers so durability must be ok, possibly, I think, maybe.

 

[Bushmechanic]

I've been kind of curious about the Toyo Open Country A/T III EV. Its designed for EV's so lower weight and lower rolling resistance. They say its tuned for EV's but I think the only thing that means is for efficiency so you don't cut range. You might be able go larger without wiping out your mpg's. I just don't like to be the first person to try it and find out why maybe it isn't a good idea. If you look at the weight of something like a Rivian they are way heavier than our Rangers so durability must be ok, possibly, I think, maybe.

Tires meant for off-pavement use can tend to have soft tread compounds. This increases rolling resistance and causes them to wear more quickly than road-focused tires.

If they're using a two-ply carcass and a harder tread compound on an A/T tire, it could work; but I'd expect tread block chipping earlier on than one would be used to with similar tires, and less traction under certain circumstances.

 

[Lion77]

Wider vs Narrower Off-Road Tires Comparison | Ranger6G - 2024+ Ranger & Raptor Forum, News, Owners, Community (6th Gen)

Just an FYI, there is a thread on this topic, not sure if there's a way to combine the threads?

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