Tire help pls for Tacoma w FWC Fleet

[Kerschbaumer]

I have a 2016 Tacoma and am shopping for a used FWC Fleet but need new tires for the winter. Am looking to buy BFG K02's but wondering which one. I currently run stock 265/65/r17 and wonder if the C tire will suffice or if I need to ramp it up. We do poke around off road but will not be hard core off roading. The reading I have done seems an E rated tire may be overkill and guzzle gas - a D tire sounds like a sweet spot but is limited in sizes - closest i can find on their webiste is a 255/65/17 and wonder if that would be ok. I also plan to add some airbags to help with the weight. Thanks

 

[Cottonww]

I recommend BFG 10 ply AT's. The main thing with the camper is be sure to have 10 ply.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

Looks like a 10 ply would be Load Range E (see Tire Rack chart attached). If you end up with a shell Fleet maybe you need less tire. However your tire load rating should exceed your axle rating (rear) by a suitable safety margin. Hopefully your ultimate rig is under that too.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

here is the chart i found at Tire Rack..

 

[Kerschbaumer]

Right - thanks - Just want to make sure I dont buy something too big as realistically the amount I will be in rough terrain will be relatively small compared to the daily driving I will do. I also need something snow flake rated and from my reading the D tire is a dual compound tire which does comply but the E rated is a single (harder) compund and not snow flake rated.
From what I can see the only D rated K02 near my size is a 255/65/17 according to the BFG Canadian website.

 

[moveinon]

I run 265/70/17 E rated KO2’s on my Tacoma. The E rated tires are stiffer than stock and the little extra sidewall makes the ride a bit softer when the camper is off. It is close enough to stock that I can use the standard spare if I can not repair the tire on the truck. I have been happy with the tire. Have 35,000 miles on them and they still look close to new.

 

[Vic Harder]

E rated helps with handling. Less squirmy/mushy feeling with all that weight on the back. I run Yokohama Geolander A/T G015's on my truck in Calgary ... summer and winter. Does well off road (gravel) too

 

[rubberlegs]

If you get one of the lighter optioned Fleets, after running the numbers on ours I was ok with the stock Kevlar tires, P rated. However we lots of off road nasty stuff so bought KO2 E rated for durability. I was surprised that there was no gas mileage penalty, didn’t notice a noise problem or harsh handling. And we changed pressure from 35/35 to 45/55 for the E rated tires.

Do you drive fast? We drive slow and I would have stuck with stock tires if not for punctures on sharp rocks.

 

[Kerschbaumer]

Interesting stuff, especially the fuel economy stays the same - thanks all - I dont drive fast but not totally slow either. Anyone know if the E rated tire has is snow flake rated?. For sure sharp rock puncture could be a consideration but tires need to be snow flake rated.

 

[moveinon]

My KO2's are snow flake rated. They have been fine in the snow, but not as good as a dedicated snow tire.

 

[Kerschbaumer]

My KO2's are snow flake rated. They have been fine in the snow, but not as good as a dedicated snow tire.

Are they the C or E rated?

 

[Vic Harder]

Yes, mine are snowflake rated, and actually very good in snow and ice. Not Blizzak like, but good enough for going skiing and snowshoeing

 

[moveinon]

Kerschbaumer, They are E rated.

 

[Kerschbaumer]

Great- thanks

 

[Kerschbaumer]

Its seems unanimous - E rated it is then.

Side question - you guys feel the Taco handles the weight of a loaded fleet ok? - got enough power and can handle load ok? I am thinking stock suspension but add air bags.

 

[moveinon]

I have a 2011 Tacoma access cab with all optioned Fleet. My power is adequate for the combo. I have heard from quite a few owners of newer Taco’s that the newer gearing is not as good. You can see at least one thread on here of gearing change.

Suspension is weak for the weight. I take the Fleet off for the winter and a few other times a year so just have Firestone air bags which allows me to adjust for those changes easily. If I kept it on all year would get tuned springs for the weight with airbags, but hated the rough ride of previous truck with that set up when camper was off.

Breaking is adequate but when I needed brakes I upgraded to ARB slotted rotors and green pads which improved braking without the huge cost of big brake kits.

Upgraded to E rated tires both for the weight and to get added sidewall protection for those logging roads with larger sharp rocks that I like to drive on to get to some of the best fishing spots.

When my shocks get bad will upgrade those also. Partly because they get pretty hot at times and because it will get rid of some of the bounce you get from air bags alone.

Gas tank is not always adequate in size but easy to carry extra gas between front of camper and truck to add capacity.

We are not heavy, nor own a Saint Bernard and don’t pack heavy - truck is about 300 pounds overweight so this combination works for us with the modifications I have made. If someone does pack a lot more weight in the camper or builds it into the truck in bumpers, winches and rock guards the Taco may not be the best way to go. May be more difficult now with Covid, but the best way for you to tell if all the handling fits for you is to find someone whois willing to let you drive their rig. Then you will know.

 

[Kerschbaumer]

That is all fantastic information. - thankyou. I am looking to find a sweet spot to make it work without building up an expensive off road rig. I will save that for my long term dream of a bigger truck with camper that has a shower and toilet. For now just want something to hit the road on summer camp trips and maybe a run to moab with the mountian bikes.

 

[eyemgh]

As has been mentioned, you have to do a lot to a Taco just to get it up to adequate to haul any reasonable load.

As for tires, from everything I've read, it always seems to devolve down to three really good options, all E rated, all triple peak/snowflake, KO2s, Cooper AT3s and Falken Wildpeaks. You will find rabid fanboys of all three. Personally, I went from the AT3 to the Wildpeak. This is a decision though where there isn't a bad choice. It'll boil down to personal intangibles like aesthetics and if you care where they are made.

Have fun!!!