Talk to me about Tyres & Towing

**Redback** · 4th December 2014, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by PhilipA

Remember Fluids has 8 inch rims which will knock out 235X85 and in practical terms 245x75.
265x75 will be all Ok and fitted by a tyre place but is pretty big and for towing will really kill performance.

BTW 255x70 is now everywhere on ebay in road pattern as they are AFAIK stock size on the latest Ford and Mazda utes. To me 255.70x16 is ideal, although I personally would prefer 245.75 , but as a tyre place told me as they refused to fit "they will peel off the rim too easily when deflated"

So if you were stuck, you would be able to "get out of jail." with something correct size and black and round.
Regards Philip A

265/70/16 would be a better size at 30.6" or 777.1mm, basically same size(rolling diameter) as 245/75/16, 265/75/16 is 31.65" or 803.9mm, similar to 235/85/16, which is yes too skinny for an 8" rim, sorry just assumed they were 7".

I can confirm the 255/70/16 is the stock size on the 2WD Ford Ranger, we have them here at work.

**JBM770** · 4th December 2014, 11:24 PM

I haven't really looked into this too far so pardon my ignorance in advance.
Can I easily get an MT or AT tire in the same OD as standard so the ratios don't get screwed up? And so my economy doesn't go even further south?
I have an early D2 V8 with stock alloys.
James

**PhilipA** · 5th December 2014, 05:44 AM

Of course you can. 235.70x16, but many/most of us think we know more than LR and go for a bit of extra ground clearance and live with the inaccurate speedo and reduced power. LOL
Regards Philip A

**JBM770** · 5th December 2014, 10:05 AM

Just had a look at tyre prices in a 235/70R16 and theyre cheaper than tyres for my missus Calais which has a tyre size between standard and SS. Maybe I can get some muddies and justify it by comparison to her tyres.

**Fast Freddie** · 5th December 2014, 10:15 PM

If anyone else is as confused as me with regard to the rolling diameter of tyres when sizes are being described, here's a table I knocked up in excel:
The first two items are 'standard' DII sizes, and the Yellow line is my size, which is (in common with 265/70) a quite common size for Cruisers and Patrols - or so I've been led to believe.

**Yorkie** · 5th December 2014, 10:55 PM

245/70/16 worked for me over 30,000km, slightly bigger than standard and kept gearing good for taking off and economy.
235/85 & 265/75 I would only consider if planning to do extensive rock hopping which as a mostly tourer I think is not your thing.

**chrisduryea** · 6th December 2014, 11:16 AM

I have a D2 V8 Auto, I know it's not a TD5 but running 265/70R16 Bridgestone 697LT's was just a nice size increase especially with the 2" lift and didn't affect towing all that much and I'm towing 3.5t regularly. As long as I kick it back into 3rd lockup before big hills it's effortless.

**Slunnie** · 6th December 2014, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Fluids

Tow in Sport mode ?

Sent from my iPad using Braille

With power upgrades the auto will hang on to gears longer. Sport mode stops its from holding the gear too long, resulting in lugging and losing too much speed on hills.

**MR LR** · 8th December 2014, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Fluids

Tow in Sport mode ?

Sent from my iPad using Braille

Should always tow in Sport mode... IIRC it even says it in the manual.

**PhilipA** · 9th December 2014, 09:50 AM

BTW I was wrong when saying 235.70x16 tyres as I forgot you have 8 inch rims.
You will have to have something with 255 width, I guess 255.60x16.
Look on the tyre placard.
That is probably why you have the 255.70x16 now as the nearest .
Regards Philip A

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