Thread: Towing 3T boat: what tyre do you choose 235/70/R16 or 255/55/r18?

My feeling with both of them on this car is that the 235/70/r16 BFG AT seems a lot more flex and more power (start faster from red-light). It still gives me similar stability feeling as the 255/55/r18.

BIG Problem.

The BFGKO 235 70r16 is only rated at 104 while minimum for D2 is 106. Maybe that is why it has a lot of flex.

The best tyre I could identify for a D2 in 235 70r16 is the Desert Dueller 697 which is 111S reinforced.

There are lots of 106s around of course if you are not worried about off road sidewall damage.

i have been studying options since removing my 255 70 r16 BFGKO which are 118rated for a set of second hand Desert Dueller 693s at 111s and the ride is bliss . I want to reduce my gearing for towing , and so looking at 235 70R16 (stock size).
I am a traditionalist so don't like 18 inch tyres and sold off my 18s when I bought the car..
Regards PhilipABf goodrich - ALL TERRAIN TA 235/70R16 104S

BF GOODRICH
From Tyroola.

less than 0.5% difference , you wouldn't notice it, more important to have a tyre with a decent load rating

For towing on the road, the 18's. Less sidewall, greater footprint. The diameters are the same. I'd stick with placard towing pressures for the rear also.

Thanks @all for putting your thoughts here.


I will try them and let you know the results later.

For towing a caravan or any other heavey trailer i would suggest the 18" wheels and tyres combo But when it comes to boats it is better in my view to have more "Flex" in the sidewalls because they will work better on the boat ramps or the beach when you are launching or retrieving the boat So i advise using the 16" wheels But go with 245/70/16's with a fairly aggressive tread patern.

I ran 245/70/16 BFG AT on all my D2's,once the OEM Michelins had worn out.

Minimal increase in diameter but a higher load rating than 235/70/16.

I am not a stickler for legality but you should be aware that it is illegal to fit tyres of less than the specified load rating for the vehicle.

This is especially true if you are towing a very heavy load and again especially if you have a high towball download.

If you had an accident caused by a tyre disintegrating I am sure that an insurance adjuster would soon pick that it was caused by the low load rating.

Again I probably hhave some illegalities on my car, but there are illegalities and then there are important illegalities.
Regards PhilipA

I am running 245/70/16 Mickey Thompson ATZ P3's on my D2a which have a load rating of 118Q which is 1359kg, I am pretty certain that these exceed the load rating of the "Stock" tyres