Thread: 235/85R16 vs 255/85R16

Just fitted my "off road" tyres getting ready for my Cape York trip - BFG 255/85-16 MT's, and will see what the differences are over the Continental Crosstrack 235/85-16 ( the "on road" tyres). The speedo has gone from being around 3-4km under at 100kph, to around 3-4km over. I'll calibrate it properly tomorrow on the way.

First impressions are that they are noise than the Continentals, and the definatley give the impression of being higher off the ground, but in reality, they are only 25mm higher. ( by measuring the height to the top of the roof rack before and after ( 2.18m vs 2.155m)

I'd just swapped the tyres and was checking the air pressure at the garage when a highway patrol officer started chatting to me about the Defender, he even liked the black wheels and tyres - even though they may be a little bigger than they should

Originally Posted by Iain_B

The speedo has gone from being around 3-4km under at 100kph, to around 3-4km over. I'll calibrate it properly tomorrow on the way.

How do you do that?

I have a Scangauge II that give a digital readout- I can adjust the setting so that it matches the GPS.

Well, after virtually deciding on 255/85R16, I'm now considering going back to 235/85R16.

The only reason being that I will be carrying a bit of weight (probably up to 500kg), and towing a small van. It feels OK now on the 255, but thats with the van empty, and the canopy mostly empty. This weight will increase.

So, unless I can be convinced the 255s will be fine, particularly on gearing, I'll be going back to 235s, at least until I return from my big lap and won't be towing the van often. Even might go to ATs for better traction on the black stuff!

Originally Posted by Ranga

Well, after virtually deciding on 255/85R16, I'm now considering going back to 235/85R16.

The only reason being that I will be carrying a bit of weight (probably up to 500kg), and towing a small van. It feels OK now on the 255, but thats with the van empty, and the canopy mostly empty. This weight will increase.

So, unless I can be convinced the 255s will be fine, particularly on gearing, I'll be going back to 235s, at least until I return from my big lap and won't be towing the van often. Even might go to ATs for better traction on the black stuff!

265/75's seem to work well on my Puma. Although on the next set I will go for 255/85 to get the slight increase in ground clearance. Swaps?

I just picked up (2 days ago) a set of BFG mud terrains in 235/85/16 for $290 each. I just wanted to brag to somebody that knows what I am talking about and also how expensive these suckers are.

I went in wanting to go with Maxxis bighorns ($259) but they had none in stock and I only had one day off to get them. The Maxxis AT's to me looked more like HT's so whilst they were cheaper they just didnt interest me.

The catch to all this is that (a) I know the guy at the tyre shop and (b) they are the original MT design that was recently replaced by the new KM2 design. They may have been sitting in the shed for 12 months but that is not a bad thing and the new KM2's were selling for $360.

As for the argument about tyre size, for me it comes down to 235/85/16 are more readily available and come in more solid construction types. They also fit my standard steel defender rims better.

The fitting of these tyres now has my speedo matching the GPS for vehicle speed which was previously 10km/h difference at 100km/h.

Originally Posted by rockyroad

I just picked up (2 days ago) a set of BFG mud terrains in 235/85/16 for $290 each. I just wanted to brag to somebody that knows what I am talking about and also how expensive these suckers are.

I went in wanting to go with Maxxis bighorns ($259) but they had none in stock and I only had one day off to get them. The Maxxis AT's to me looked more like HT's so whilst they were cheaper they just didnt interest me.

The catch to all this is that (a) I know the guy at the tyre shop and (b) they are the original MT design that was recently replaced by the new KM2 design. They may have been sitting in the shed for 12 months but that is not a bad thing and the new KM2's were selling for $360.

I think they may be more than 12 months old, what is the date code on the tyre?

Originally Posted by rockyroad

As for the argument about tyre size, for me it comes down to 235/85/16 are more readily available and come in more solid construction types. They also fit my standard steel defender rims better.

Yes the 235 is a much easier size to find, but how do you figure it's a more solid construction? And neither are a legal fit on a 110 5.5 inch rim and both are legal on a 6.5 inch 130 rim.

Originally Posted by rockyroad

The fitting of these tyres now has my speedo matching the GPS for vehicle speed which was previously 10km/h difference at 100km/h.

stop panicing, your pumps got plenty left in it yet.

leave the bigger rubber on, drop by and we'll just compensate for the gearing loss.



or

put the other rubber on and I can wrap and shelve the other tyres for you and you can keep them as play rubber if you can get a spare set of rims for them

if we do that you could also rack the play rubber onto the trailer take them with you and change them as you need to...

but that effects fuel economy, it might be cheaper to freight the tyres forwards to where you need them...

of course then they may not be there if you need them, what if you put the wider rubber on the trailer, the smaller rubber on the landy carry 2 spares set up and the alternate set of rubber as spare carcasses...

Im not so sure,,,