Tyres - confused!

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16
Location
Wales, United Kingdom
Morning all, looking for some expert advice again!

I'm currently running 235 85 16 General Grabbers. Great on road / gravel but they are not grippy in mud - i've been looking at some Cooper Discoverer STT pro's in the same size but what I want to go a little beefer on the same rims? Is this possible?

All advice appreciated!
 

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I bought some BF Goodrich KO2's and wanted to upsize to 265/75/16 which I did, but it then failed the MOT on them slightly rubbing on steering full-lock. I subsequently fitted 30mm wheelspacers which stopped them rubbing. It looks awesome, much more road presence with the wider tyres and spacers filling the arches.
 
I bought some BF Goodrich KO2's and wanted to upsize to 265/75/16 which I did, but it then failed the MOT on them slightly rubbing on steering full-lock. I subsequently fitted 30mm wheelspacers which stopped them rubbing. It looks awesome, much more road presence with the wider tyres and spacers filling the arches.

Should have just adjusted your steering lock stops and not bothered with the spacers. Spacers just load up the bearing stresses.
 
I do have 265/75/16 mud terrains on mine on off set modulars but don't necessarily think about going wider for mud as generally a narrower tyre is better as cuts through the mud easier. A wide tyre tends to sit on top.
 
A wide tyre tends to sit on top.
I guess it depends on what the ultimate intended use is. I have 265/75 s and they work great on sand - where I want to "float" over the surface, but noisy and wear quickly on tarmac. I've found them OK in mud, but perhaps I don't get as deeply involved as some.
I picked up some 235s a year ago at a bargain price but only 4. Haven't fitted them yet, for tarmac, 'cos I've no equivalent spare. Anyone got any opinions on these narrower boots? If there's not much in it, I may sell them on.
 
Morning all, looking for some expert advice again!

I'm currently running 235 85 16 General Grabbers. Great on road / gravel but they are not grippy in mud - i've been looking at some Cooper Discoverer STT pro's in the same size but what I want to go a little beefer on the same rims? Is this possible?

All advice appreciated!
generally for most mud in the UK narrow tyres will work better. So a 235/85R16 or a 7.50 x 16 are ideal.

A 265/75R16 is the same diameter as the sizes above but wider. Likely to be less good in the mud for a given tread.

A 255/85R16 will fit. Nice size but limited tyre options. This is about the tallest tyre you can run on stock suspension. Not too wide either considering the diameter. 285/75R16 isn’t quite as tall but as wide as you can get for the stock wheel spats without them sticking out. But will need the rims tucked in and reduced steering lock. Wider rims and/or spacers will stick the tyres out the arches, which is illegal. The bigger sizes may need wider rims too 7-8” wide.

Lots of tyre choice. What is you budget? Check out Maxxis, BFG, Toyo, General Grabber, Yokohama and Kumho tyres. They all make good MT’s that drive quite nice on the road. The Cooper STT Pro is no bad tyre either.
 
generally for most mud in the UK narrow tyres will work better. So a 235/85R16 or a 7.50 x 16 are ideal.

A 265/75R16 is the same diameter as the sizes above but wider. Likely to be less good in the mud for a given tread.

A 255/85R16 will fit. Nice size but limited tyre options. This is about the tallest tyre you can run on stock suspension. Not too wide either considering the diameter. 285/75R16 isn’t quite as tall but as wide as you can get for the stock wheel spats without them sticking out. But will need the rims tucked in and reduced steering lock. Wider rims and/or spacers will stick the tyres out the arches, which is illegal. The bigger sizes may need wider rims too 7-8” wide.

Lots of tyre choice. What is you budget? Check out Maxxis, BFG, Toyo, General Grabber, Yokohama and Kumho tyres. They all make good MT’s that drive quite nice on the road. The Cooper STT Pro is no bad tyre either.

Massively useful info! I'm hoping to keep my classic steels & spend <£150 a tyre... Would the 255 fit the same rim as a 235?
 
I have run Cooper SST Pro for the last 18 months/2 years, 235/85/16.
Very good tyres on tarmac, even in the wet, not bad on snow. Probably one of the quieter patterns in a (for me at least) 75% road 25% off road tyre.
I find that they cope well with mud in general but they are not as good as I would like on sideslopes. I certainly would not use them on a trials truck, but alright for greenlaning if you have a winch or another vehicle with you.
 
Massively useful info! I'm hoping to keep my classic steels & spend <£150 a tyre... Would the 255 fit the same rim as a 235?
The Toyo MT is available in that size. Got a couple of friends running them and have had them on my vehicle before. They are like an aggressive All terrain. Very good on the road and good in most muddy conditions as long as not too extreme.

Rim size is 6.5” to 8”. So should be fine on a stock Defender steel rim. Not sure on prices but when I’ve looked in the past they should be about bang on the money for you. The 255/85 is normally more expensive than a 235/85. But the Toyo’s are normally well priced.

https://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/open-country-mt
 
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