Hi all, I just had my order for a new p300s accepted yesterday with an 8/18 estimated delivery! I want to get BFG KO2s when I get it but I can't decide on the size. I like the idea of factory sizing and the 255s are 5 pounds per tire lighter and are a D load rating of 117. The 265 is an E load rated 124. Any opinions out there on these two tires? I'm wondering if the E rated tires are going to be more rough than needed or is the 255/D just not tough enough. Any insight would be appreciated!

 

I went with the stock size D load rated option on mine, but would have gotten C load if they were available. I really wanted the E load rated tire because of the slight size increase, but was worried about impact on ride quality. The E load rated tires are probably overkill for these trucks. Even the D load rated tires was a noticeable change in ride quality.

 

We went with the 265/70R18. It seems to ride great (I think the air suspension and long wheel base help a lot) We some times pull a trailer and pack it quite a bit for trips so I liked the idea of the higher load rating. I also like having a slightly larger tire.

 

I have coil suspension so I am sure the air suspension helps mask some of the ride quality harshness from moving up to an E load.

 

If you plan on doing any off-road driving, especially on rocky trails, I would suggest the E load tires. More plys (layers) helps prevent rock cuts.
If you plan on mostly street driving, then C or D tires will be fine.
And for what it’s worth, I’m using 285/65r18 KO2s with E load.

 

I debated the same very question before going with the 265/70 R18

Pro
1: You get the bada$$ white lettering in the bigger size. (My other half vetoed the lettering so they are hidden on mine. sad)
2: Extra 1/4" of sidewall. Every little helps
3: 1/4" extra ground clearance. Free lift. haha
4: E rated. I wanted as tough as I could get for the rocky, root ridden trails I wanted to tackle. Gives great peace of mind knowing you have meaty sidewalls. D is probably more than adequate but why not turn it up to 11.
5: 32.6" is as big as you can go without a lift.

Con
1: Speedo is slightly off. ~1mph at 60mph
2: Greater unsprung weight in the 265
3: You will be forever bitter if you are prevented from displaying the glorious white lettering.


You will need to drop down your psi if you're on any sort of corrugations. 50psi on corrugations will rattle your eyeballs as I learned fast. I run them at about 40psi for day to day. I've gotten myself Staun deflators and an ARB compressor now. Looking forward to playing more with air pressures in the months ahead when trails become accessible again.

 

Thanks for all the response! I plan on doing trails like some of the continental divide trails in the summer but it will spend probably 90%-95% of my time on pavement. Do any of you guys have an idea of MPG decrease and how about acceleration and braking? Is it noticeable or not much? I know even the D ply KO2 will have much better sidewalls than the factory tires, I'm just trying to figure out if I should just go for the E rated to be safe or the trade-offs would be too great.

 

MPG decreased 1 to 2, but I also have lift rods (1.5”) which probably impacts MPG more than tires. So 15 to 18 is what I’m seeing.
I didn’t notice any difference with acceleration or braking, but I also don’t drive like a madman.

 

I don't notice any changes in mpg or braking etc. I trundle along like normal regardless of what boots are on. Blizzaks, Goodyears or BFG.

 

Life's too short to be bitter for the duration of your ownership !!