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New tire options after sidewall puncture on Trailhunter.

jimr

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Hey! Heritage Blue brothers!

If you look at the sidewall there at 3 o'clock you see the important stuff (in small text closer to the sidewall.) 265/70R18 means the tread is 265mm wide, the sidewall is 70% of that (ie 185.5mm), its radial construction, and the hole is 18". From there is says 116S, which means the load range is 116 which is rated for 2756lbs per tire, and the S is the speed rating of 112mph maximum speed.

The load range for "regular" tires (ie, doesn't start w LT, or end w XL) is measured at their maximum pressure. That is where the problems come from with airing down these types of tires (like the OP has as well) you could lose 500lbs in load capacity per tire by airing down 5psi - its not a linear scale but you can run into issues fast. Especially when you consider that our "regular" pressure is 33psi compared to the 51psi max pressure for the LTX Trail. Air down to 25psi and you're at half the max pressure and maybe in the range of 25% of the load capacity
Awesome! Thanks so much for the detailed info!
 
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Barak

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And before someone is like, well dang, I'm getting 14-ply F-rated tires then, keep in mind that the load rating for ALL tires is measured at max pressure. Toyo makes a "regular" Open Country A/T III and an LT version. The regular support up to 11,024lbs between all four, and the LT support 14,560lbs thanks to jumping from the 116 to 125 load index.

BUT the LT version have a max pressure of 80psi, which is where that load rating is measured at. Drop that pressure down to 33psi (much less something that starts with a 2) and you're already at a lower capacity that the "regular" version.

Way more important than the "ply rating" is looking for a tire w a high enough load rating *at a realistically low pressure* if you plan on running them aired down. I really wish there was a scale that would help know the load capacity at specific psi, but I don't think we live in that world
Thank you, that's very useful information :)
 

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"replace those ugly bronze Wheels with some matte black Methods."
Oh, you mean like mine!? :)

New 4Runner.jpg
Looks great, Which Method wheel is that? 17" for more tire options?
 
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828findadventure

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Unless you are driving a V8 like my Tundra I sold to buy our 4Runner, an E load range tire will suck away HP and gas mileage. Because of that I went with a C load range tire that is six ply instead of ten. The tire is a little lighter and still gives protection. I run 17"x8" wheels with a plus 25 off set. My tire size is 275/70/17 Falken Wildpeak AT4s. At full lock I have an inch to spare and have zero lift yet. Holding out for shock options for the 25 4runner.

2025 Toyota 4runner New tire options after sidewall puncture on Trailhunter. IMG_1934 copy.JPG
 
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k9Hiken

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Hi all,
Today, while driving up to Engineer pass in the San Juans, slowly, tires deflated to 25 PSI, I heard a pop. Tire instantly deflated. Sidewall puncture. It seemed way too easy for that to happen. These are the original Toyo Open Country AT 265/70 R18. Truck has 3,000 miles on it.

Since this tire is non-repairable, and this is the kind of driving I intend to do I have decided to just buy a new set of tires. I have used BF Goodrich KO2s on all of my previous 4Runners and loved them so I'm inclined to use those again, and also go larger, probably 285/70 or 285/75.

So:
Any cons with this tire size besides reduced fuel economy? I assume these will still fit with no rubbing? Open to other tires but the BF Goodrich ones I have used in the past were 10 ply, much better sidewall protection. This Toyo tire felt very squishy to me, not up to the task of heavy duty off-roading.

Thank you!

tempImageSS09ix.jpg
Those Toyos are not E Load tires. They appear to be SL loads.
2025 Toyota 4runner New tire options after sidewall puncture on Trailhunter. IMG_9063
2025 Toyota 4runner New tire options after sidewall puncture on Trailhunter. IMG_9082
These are 275/70/18 E Loads
 
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I opted to replace the originals with the 285/70 R18 Toyo Open Country AT3 from Discount Tire. They are significantly lighter than any other of the 285s and seemed like they got a better score with low rolling resistance. First impressions are that the ride isn't as harsh as I expected, they are noisier, but doesn't bother me, they look great and don't rub so no modifications needed, although they come very close. Effect on MPG is yet to be determined. Picture below with the new shoes:
2025 Toyota 4runner New tire options after sidewall puncture on Trailhunter. IMG_2917 Lar
 

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I opted to replace the originals with the 285/70 R18 Toyo Open Country AT3 from Discount Tire. They are significantly lighter than any other of the 285s and seemed like they got a better score with low rolling resistance. First impressions are that the ride isn't as harsh as I expected, they are noisier, but doesn't bother me, they look great and don't rub so no modifications needed, although they come very close. Effect on MPG is yet to be determined. Picture below with the new shoes:
IMG_2917 Large.jpeg
Beautiful setup. What pressure are you running for highway speeds with these?
 

lockwoodjd

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Hey! Heritage Blue brothers!

If you look at the sidewall there at 3 o'clock you see the important stuff (in small text closer to the sidewall.) 265/70R18 means the tread is 265mm wide, the sidewall is 70% of that (ie 185.5mm), its radial construction, and the hole is 18". From there is says 116S, which means the load range is 116 which is rated for 2756lbs per tire, and the S is the speed rating of 112mph maximum speed.

The load range for "regular" tires (ie, doesn't start w LT, or end w XL) is measured at their maximum pressure. That is where the problems come from with airing down these types of tires (like the OP has as well) you could lose 500lbs in load capacity per tire by airing down 5psi - its not a linear scale but you can run into issues fast. Especially when you consider that our "regular" pressure is 33psi compared to the 51psi max pressure for the LTX Trail. Air down to 25psi and you're at half the max pressure and maybe in the range of 25% of the load capacity
This is SO very helpful. Thank you!!
 

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So what I'm getting from all of this is that I either do not air down my tires OR if I air down my tires, I better have a sidewall patch OR I should just buy 4 new tires.

The Mr. is out of town right now, you'all think he'd notice four new tires? 😜
 

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This incident in the San Juans prompted me to move forward with 275/70/18 KO3s, E. Stock suspension.

So far, super happy with them. Smooth balance @ 70-80mph on the highway. Running 35psi.

In the past, I ran 38 psi on 285/70/17 KO2 eload for over 75k without issues on my 5th gen. I also ran c rated KO2s for two sets and never got more than 50k on them.

2025 Toyota 4runner New tire options after sidewall puncture on Trailhunter. IMG_2749
 
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This incident in the San Juans prompted me to move forward with 275/70/18 KO3s, E. Stock suspension.

So far, super happy with them. Smooth balance @ 70-80mph on the highway. Running 35psi.

In the past, I ran 38 psi on 285/70/17 KO2 eload for over 75k without issues on my 5th gen. I also ran c rated KO2s for two sets and never got more than 50k on them.

IMG_2749.jpeg
The E rated BFs are great! I got 85K miles on those on my 5th Gen.
 

rule5

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And before someone is like, well dang, I'm getting 14-ply F-rated tires then, keep in mind that the load rating for ALL tires is measured at max pressure. Toyo makes a "regular" Open Country A/T III and an LT version. The regular support up to 11,024lbs between all four, and the LT support 14,560lbs thanks to jumping from the 116 to 125 load index.

BUT the LT version have a max pressure of 80psi, which is where that load rating is measured at. Drop that pressure down to 33psi (much less something that starts with a 2) and you're already at a lower capacity that the "regular" version.

Way more important than the "ply rating" is looking for a tire w a high enough load rating *at a realistically low pressure* if you plan on running them aired down. I really wish there was a scale that would help know the load capacity at specific psi, but I don't think we live in that world
This is immensely helpful. I'm embarking on a long trip with a lot of rough gravel and dirt roads and my question would be if it's even feasible (or safe) to consider airing down 5psi (from spec 33psi)to make for a more comfortable ride with these OEM Open Country tires.

I'm having to extrapolate here a bit, but it seems at 33psi were looking at each tire capable of holding ~2270 pounds and when airing down to 28 for a gravel road that drops to ~1900 pounds per tire. 1900x4 =7,600. Assuming a fully loaded Trailhunter (GVWR is ~6500 pounds) were still within ~1100 pounds but the margins are clearly at a limit.

Am I thinking about this right? It seems unwise to go any lower than 28psi with these OEM tires but at this point I'm looking for some extra guidance given I can't find any concrete PSI charts with these OEM tires. What say you experts? ...I rather wear out these tires before replacing them myself.
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