I can't decide for my next set of tires if I want to stay with the 265/75R16 or drop to a 245/75R16. I like the look of the 265 tires but they take away some of the engine power on hills. I definitely don't want to go any smaller that a 245. Considering the difference in diameter is only about 1 inch, would going with the 245 size result in any noticeable power gain or would the change not really be noticeable?

 

Isn't 245 the width? 75 is the height of the top of the rim to the top of the tire.

 

My engine RPM is almost identical with the Y2K @ 3.73 and LT245/75R16 as it was with my '97's 3.55 P255/70R16.

I was expecting better performance with the 3.73 -- however the additional leverage was used up with the larger tire size.

I suspect that you'd notice the smaller tire size at cruize (especially if you tow) and 0-10, but nowhere else.

 

The "75" is a percentage of the the width. So the sidewall height is 75% of the width. That's why a 265 will be taller then a 245 and a 285 is taller then a 265, as long as they are all the same "series" and rim size.

 

black truck,

you may already know this, but i haven't seen it mentioned. all of the 245 tires i have seen were 10 ply. they are made to tow with, or haul heavy loads. the 265 i am running is a 8 ply. still stiff enough for the hauling i do, but lots smoother than the 10 ply tires. just something to think about, Rich.

 

Mine are Goodyear RT/S 245/75R16 Load range D 4-ply tread, 2-ply side. Max pressure: 65 psig