truck tires - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

greif · 10-03-2012, 07:44 PM

Any recommendations on truck tires for better mileage. 1998 GMC k1500 1/2 ton extended cab, current tiress are p245/75 r16. Would maybe like to go a little narrower to reduce footprint but want to keep load capicuty as once in a while I do haul a ton of wood pellets.

Only put on about 6000 miles a year
Thanks
Gary

oil pan 4 · 10-03-2012, 10:01 PM

With work truck tires bigger is better.
If you go narrower you will start to lose load capacity fast.

General tire has a LLR tire in that size.

Gasoline Fumes · 10-04-2012, 01:03 AM

I like my 235/85 tires, but 215/85 would be the same diameter you have now. I'm not sure how the load capacities compare.

CapriRacer · 10-04-2012, 06:26 AM

As a general rule, the bigger the tire size, the lower the rolling resistance - bigger meaning any of the 3 dimensions used to describe a tire size.

HOWEVER, the effect is small compared to the differences between tires - meaning make and model.

Unfortunately, there has not been much published on the RR of light truck tires. But you need to be aware that RR, traction (especially wet traction), and treadwear are part of a technology triangle. To get improvements in one area, one (or both) of the other areas has to be sacrificed.

Miller88 · 10-04-2012, 10:59 AM

An E-Rated 215 85R16 is going to have very similar load capacity to the others. I'd go with that since it's the narrowest.

oil pan 4 · 10-05-2012, 01:47 AM

An Load range E tire will carry several hundred more pounds per tire than a standard LT truck tire.
A 245mm wide LT truck tire will carry between 2200 and 2300LB and a 215mm wide load range E tire will carry at least 2600lb.

redpoint5 · 10-05-2012, 04:43 AM

Is your truck 4x4 and do you need any off-road ability?

My truck came with very narrow (235/85-16) road tires that had a high load rating and got excellent fuel economy. The problem was that I got stuck on damp grass even in 4x4 on a very gentle slope. Since I frequently go off-road, I needed something wider and wanted something taller to reduce my highway RPM. I put 285/75/16 Bridgestone AT Revos on to give me a balance of good on and off road performance, fuel economy, wear, and road noise. The load rating was lower, but that didn't stop my dad from hauling 20k lbs of excavator and trailer on a ball hitch

Miller88 · 10-05-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Is your truck 4x4 and do you need any off-road ability?

My truck came with very narrow (235/85-16) road tires that had a high load rating and got excellent fuel economy. The problem was that I got stuck on damp grass even in 4x4 on a very gentle slope. Since I frequently go off-road, I needed something wider and wanted something taller to reduce my highway RPM. I put 285/75/16 Bridgestone AT Revos on to give me a balance of good on and off road performance, fuel economy, wear, and road noise. The load rating was lower, but that didn't stop my dad from hauling 20k lbs of excavator and trailer on a ball hitch

6 of one, half a dozen of another. I prefer skinny tires off road.

rmay635703 · 10-05-2012, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greif

Any recommendations on truck tires for better mileage. 1998 GMC k1500 1/2 ton extended cab, current tiress are p245/75 r16. Would maybe like to go a little narrower to reduce footprint but want to keep load capicuty as once in a while I do haul a ton of wood pellets.

Only put on about 6000 miles a year
Thanks
Gary

I have found that smaller tires on the front increase FE most of the time but, also I am driving a 2wd.

IsaacCarlson · 10-06-2012, 02:29 AM

I just put new tires on my truck. They are 235/85-16
They are bigger than original 215/85-16 and seem to grip very well. I needed something that could dig through snow and mud and sand and get me to the firewood. After looking over the local selections, I felt the Cooper S/T Maxx was the best bet. They are MEATY.

I am unsure of the mileage so far because I sprung a gas leak about the same time I put them on. So far it seems to be the same even though I have been trying to find places I can't go....

They have taken me everywhere I have wanted to go this week. I will get pics of the hills I have been climbing.

Not trying to sell tires here, just amazed with mine.....

I am keeping mileage logs and will post up when I get a few tanks run through.