Pizza Cutters?

[mattexplore]

I added 255/80-R17 BFGoodrich HD Terrain tires this week. They really fit the character of the vehicle. They give me modern Michelin XZL vibes.

Stock suspension, and the rear door clears just fine. Speedo is now dead nuts on.

We are going to record an Overland Journal podcast on my most recent modifications including these tires.

 

[chrsbe]

What is your experience in fuel efficiency? Do narrower tires move the needle? In theory they should be more efficient. But is it so in reality?

 

[mattexplore]

What is your experience in fuel efficiency? Do narrower tires move the needle? In theory they should be more efficient. But is it so in reality?

In concept a narrower tire has less rolling resistance and less weight than a wider tire. So assuming the tire was the same diameter and tread pattern, the narrower tire would have potential to be more efficient.

 

[nuclearbeef]

In concept a narrower tire has less rolling resistance and less weight than a wider tire. So assuming the tire was the same diameter and tread pattern, the narrower tire would have potential to be more efficient.

So, reading between the lines; you are saying no. In reality you have seen no measurable improvement in MPGs.

 

[ADVAW8S]

So, reading between the lines; you are saying no. In reality you have seen no measurable improvement in MPGs.

Someone has had to do some real world testing?

 

[Tom109]

Someone has had to do some real world testing?

Whenever I decide to swap the factory Bridgestones it will be for 255/80R16 MT’s. Just the fact that this will add almost 10lbs/tire says NO improvement in MPG’s.

 

[ADVAW8S]

Whenever I decide to swap the factory Bridgestones it will be for 255/80R16 MT’s. Just the fact that this will add almost 10lbs/tire says NO improvement in MPG’s.

I dumped my duellers(actually in my shed) and did Falken Wildpeak AT4 255/80R17. Love them, quiet and just as good as the AT3W that were on my other vehicle. 58 pound tire so heavier than duellers but the Wildpeak has higher sidewall strength

 

[Sela_2024]

I added 255/80-R17 BFGoodrich HD Terrain tires this week. They really fit the character of the vehicle. They give me modern Michelin XZL vibes.

Stock suspension, and the rear door clears just fine. Speedo is now dead nuts on.

We are going to record an Overland Journal podcast on my most recent modifications including these tires.

View attachment 7895155

View attachment 7895154

Nice. These are now on my radar. Looking forward to hearing the podcast

 

[mattexplore]

So, reading between the lines; you are saying no. In reality you have seen no measurable improvement in MPGs.

What I am saying is that to have a realistic comparison, you have to have controlled variables.

I am moving from a smaller diameter, less aggressive tread pattern tire with a section width of 265, to a larger diameter, more aggressive tread pattern tire with a section width of 255. All three variables are changing, and only one of them conceptually is a beneficial change for fuel economy which is a narrower section width.

I doubt that I will see a fuel economy increase. But the decrease may not be as large as going for a wider version of the replacement tire (BFG HD)

 

[TCMColorado]

The Toyo Open Country R/T Trail in 255/80R17 is very similar to the BFG HD in terms of tread design and use case, has a matching diameter of 33.1" and the same E load rating . But the Toyo is only 52 lbs which is actually 1.6 lbs less than the OEM BFG AT KO2 in 265/70R17 and 5.4 lbs less than the BFG HD in the same 255/80R17. Not suggesting that the Toyo is a better tire but it is certainly worth considering if a taller skinny tire is desired.

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

What size tire did you settle on? I think I missed it somewhere

255/85/17. I don't think I ever said that... Oops.

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

What I am saying is that to have a realistic comparison, you have to have controlled variables.

I am moving from a smaller diameter, less aggressive tread pattern tire with a section width of 265, to a larger diameter, more aggressive tread pattern tire with a section width of 255. All three variables are changing, and only one of them conceptually is a beneficial change for fuel economy which is a narrower section width.

I doubt that I will see a fuel economy increase. But the decrease may not be as large as going for a wider version of the replacement tire (BFG HD)

I drove Boulder - Moab twice into last 4 weeks

#1 trip stock K02s, 17” steelies. 16 mpg

#2 trip, 255/85/17, 17” steelies. 14 mpg

Driving conditions were similar, speed was similar (70mph - 85mph depending on the road section) drive time was within 10 min.

So I see a loss of 2 mpg, which I am happy to live with.

 

[Psignore00]

I added 255/80-R17 BFGoodrich HD Terrain tires this week. They really fit the character of the vehicle. They give me modern Michelin XZL vibes.

Stock suspension, and the rear door clears just fine. Speedo is now dead nuts on.

We are going to record an Overland Journal podcast on my most recent modifications including these tires.

View attachment 7895155

View attachment 7895154

Looks great! This is what I’ve decided on as well. For the person who commented on the weight of these, doesn’t the explanation of “overbuilt/heavy-duty/commercial grade” work for the BFG HD Terrains just like it does for the Grenadier? I really think it’s the perfect match.

 

[Commodore]

I drove Boulder - Moab twice into last 4 weeks

#1 trip stock K02s, 17” steelies. 16 mpg

#2 trip, 255/85/17, 17” steelies. 14 mpg

Driving conditions were similar, speed was similar (70mph - 85mph depending on the road section) drive time was within 10 min.

So I see a loss of 2 mpg, which I am happy to live with.

Did you correct for the difference in mph/odometer distance. I'm running the same time and find that the speedo reads 5% slow so the odometer is also off by the same amount. With the factory KO2's the speedo was about 2% fast vs gps speed. That makes a real difference in your calculation.

 

[Dlucky]

The Toyo Open Country R/T Trail in 255/80R17 is very similar to the BFG HD in terms of tread design and use case, has a matching diameter of 33.1" and the same E load rating . But the Toyo is only 52 lbs which is actually 1.6 lbs less than the OEM BFG AT KO2 in 265/70R17 and 5.4 lbs less than the BFG HD in the same 255/80R17. Not suggesting that the Toyo is a better tire but it is certainly worth considering if a taller skinny tire is desired.

Yokohama Geolander A/T 4 is another option for the 255/80 17.
I really like mine. Pretty quiet, feels planted in snow and rain. Deep tread. 52 lbs.
33.2” tall

 

[TCMColorado]

Yokohama Geolander A/T 4 is another option for the 255/80 17.
I really like mine. Pretty quiet, feels planted in snow and rain. Deep tread. 52 lbs.
33.2” tall

I missed the Yokohoma in my search. Also a great option.

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

Did you correct for the difference in mph/odometer distance. I'm running the same time and find that the speedo reads 5% slow so the odometer is also off by the same amount. With the factory KO2's the speedo was about 2% fast vs gps speed. That makes a real difference in your calculation.

No, I didn't think of that. The onboard computer gave the trip out and back the 16 mpg and the 14 mpg. I don't have any base data to measure against now, I didn't think to keep any. What GPS are you using to measure the speed against? I have a Wolfbox 900, I guess I need to read how to turn on the speed measurement. Duh.

 

[Zimm]

No, I didn't think of that. The onboard computer gave the trip out and back the 16 mpg and the 14 mpg. I don't have any base data to measure against now, I didn't think to keep any. What GPS are you using to measure the speed against? I have a Wolfbox 900, I guess I need to read how to turn on the speed measurement. Duh.

You have an 8.5% delta on the ODO alone which are factory set for 3-5% slow anyway, and all trip computers are always wrong. Pencil ciphering at the same pumps in a caravan with a stock rig to ensure speed and acceleration under the same conditions would be the way to go. Other wise, yep, having to accelerate the same mass 1.5" further out with some tq reduction at the wheel, will cost a little mpg. If you need bigger tires, ya do it. If $ for mpg is the issue, don't do it. The considerations really don't overlap.