What are the best 255/85R16 tires for a Toyota Tacoma?

What are the best 255/85R16 tires I should consider for my Toyota Tacoma? I’m torn between the Yokohama Geolandar MTs, Falken Wildpeak MTs, and Cooper ST Maxxs. I’ve heard that the Coopers are often the go-to choice, but they’re quite pricey and I’ve come across some reports about them pulling hard on highways or having short tread life. I need something decent for highway driving and a significant upgrade from the stock Goodyear Adventure tires, which really don’t perform well off dry pavement. Winter traction is also a must, along with light off-road capabilities. I’m not looking to tackle serious mud or rocks, just want to feel confident on forest service roads and two-tracks during snowy months. Any experiences or recommendations about these tires?

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You might want to consider going for 255/80R17 tires if you’re open to upgrading your rims. There are way more all-terrain options in that size. I was also interested in 255/85R16s, but the lack of all-terrain choices made me rethink it. With 255/80s, you’ll find Toyo Open Country AT3s, Falken Wildpeaks, Nitto Ridge Grapplers, and Cooper ST Maxxs pretty easily.

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A friend of mine has the Geolandar MTs, and he says they’re pretty bad for everyday winter driving, although they do perform well in deep snow. I’ve been eyeing tires in that size too and I’m leaning towards the Coopers.

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I had the Maxxs, and while they started off quiet, they didn’t wear well at all. Honestly, I’d suggest looking into 285/75/16 all-terrains unless you really need those tall skinny mud tires. I’ve tried both the Dick Cepek and Maxxs, and neither lasted more than 30k miles for me.

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My main priorities are that I want a 33-inch tire and I’d like to avoid any cutting on my truck. The cutting aspect is why I’m hesitant about the 285s, but maybe it’s not as big of a deal as I think. I’ve heard from Jeep owners that the Wildpeak MTs handle snow and ice decently.

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I wouldn’t worry too much about chopping the cab mount; it might actually save you some trouble down the line. If you’re focused on winter performance, just keep in mind that most mud tires don’t do well in icy conditions. Settling for an expensive mud tire that doesn’t fit your needs could cost you more in the long run.

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I had the ST Maxx in that size, and they wore out unevenly. I got about 25k miles from them. It was super hot this summer, which probably contributed to the front tires cupping badly during that period. If they hadn’t cupped, I might have gotten 35k out of them before winter came. They handled well, but they were pretty stiff great for towing, though. The tall skinny look on my 2nd gen Tacoma with the stock wheels wasn’t my favorite; I think it would have looked better with wheel spacers or different rims. I preemptively chopped my cab mount, but thankfully, I didn’t need to trim anything else, and I kept the stock mudflaps. I just put on a set of 285/70/17 Toyos, so we’ll see how those hold up.