255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

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mushmasher
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255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by mushmasher »

I've been trying to find some KM3 255/85R16 tires here in the Pacific NW. Costco in the area has good deals most of the time. But say the BFGoodrich isn't making them at the moment. Or at least not in that size. So I'm either find a different brand or different size. The 255/85 seems like a good size for the 710. Should I start looking for a different size?
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Mr Zero
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by Mr Zero »

Since the purchase of my 710K over a dozen years ago I've gone through a variety of tire brands/sizes and 255/85R16 seem to be pretty ideal. As far as the KM3s I'm at the end of the wear life of mine and am disappointed at the relatively short lifespan. I currently have ~11,500mi and 2yr+10mo on mine and was planning to replace them this fall, but after returning from a 1000mi+ off-road trip through central and northern Nevada I think that I'm going to replace them now. I spent 5 years with a set of Cooper STT Pros before the KM3s and only replaced them because a Discount Tire corporate policy change no longer allowed them to mount the 285/75R16 size that I was running on the Pinz rims due to the rim width versus the rated width of the tires.

I'm going to back to Coopers again, this time the Discoverer S/T Maxx 255/85R16. I've been around this tire for years on similar weight vehicles to the Pinz running the same terrain and they wear exceptionally well, give a excellent contact area when aired-down, and are much quieter on the road. In conclusion, the KM3s perform well, but wear poorly. I'd recommend looking at the Cooper S/T Maxx or another tire than the KM3, but stay with the 255/85R16 size.
Anyway, my 2 cents...
Jason @battlebornpinzgauer
[1975 Pinzgauer 710K 2.7L EFI, 1972 700AP Haflinger Pathfinder]
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mushmasher
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by mushmasher »

Mr Zero wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 9:54 amno longer allowed them to mount the 285/75R16 size that I was running on the Pinz rims due to the rim

Thanks. I'll look for the Discoverer S/T Maxx 255/85R16. I'm curious how the 285/75R16 ran? Is there any issues?
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Mr Zero
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by Mr Zero »

mushmasher wrote: Tue Jun 07, 2022 11:32 amThanks. I'll look for the Discoverer S/T Maxx 255/85R16. I'm curious how the 285/75R16 ran? Is there any issues?
The Cooper STT Pro is an excellent performing MT tire, but 285/75R16 is still too wide for the Pinz, causing rub at full wheel lock.
Jason @battlebornpinzgauer
[1975 Pinzgauer 710K 2.7L EFI, 1972 700AP Haflinger Pathfinder]
ChickenPinz
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by ChickenPinz »

I looked at that KM3 option, but in the end opted for Falken Wildpeak MT01 LT255/85R16 BW 123/120Q. So far I'm happy with them (look and road-use), but not tested them seriously off-road yet. For me, I wanted a tire with siping, and some of the other MTs don't have that.
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Mr Zero
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by Mr Zero »

ChickenPinz wrote: Wed Jun 08, 2022 11:17 am I looked at that KM3 option, but in the end opted for Falken Wildpeak MT01 LT255/85R16 BW 123/120Q. So far I'm happy with them (look and road-use), but not tested them seriously off-road yet. For me, I wanted a tire with siping, and some of the other MTs don't have that.
I'm going to give those Falkens a look. How's the road noise (compared to...)?
Jason @battlebornpinzgauer
[1975 Pinzgauer 710K 2.7L EFI, 1972 700AP Haflinger Pathfinder]
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by ChickenPinz »

Mr Zero wrote: Wed Jun 08, 2022 2:32 pm
ChickenPinz wrote: Wed Jun 08, 2022 11:17 am ...Falken Wildpeak MT01 LT255/85R16 BW 123/120Q
I'm going to give those Falkens a look. How's the road noise (compared to...)?
The Pinz is too loud inside at highway speed to hear tire noise!

I'd need to have someone drive alongside me. :)

I think the on-line reviews were decent wrt road noise IIRC.
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Mr Zero
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by Mr Zero »

ChickenPinz wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:09 pmThe Pinz is too loud inside at highway speed to hear tire noise!

I'd need to have someone drive alongside me. :)
LOL, that thought occurred to me just after hitting the 'submit' button. I tend to forget the typical Pinz noise factor as my cargo/bed platform dampens the noise in my truck to a level that a (mostly) casual conversation can be had.
Jason @battlebornpinzgauer
[1975 Pinzgauer 710K 2.7L EFI, 1972 700AP Haflinger Pathfinder]
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by MTPinz »

I've been impressed with my Falken MT's, although they're in the skinnier 235/85-16 variety on Transit wheels. I don't have a ton of driving under them yet, but they seem to work great at lower pressures off-road and are wearing reasonable in the rear for an unloaded Pinz. I think for the price they could be hard to beat.
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Re: 255/85R16 KM3 tires hard to find

Post by Stumbler »

Always surprised that no one goes to the specs. A 255/85R16 tire has almost the same specs as a 285/70 version. They are less that .5 inches apart and the 285 is narrower than your typical 33" tire by about an inch (read: it drives better and weighs less)

You might try going somewhere like the Discount Tire website and pulling up the specs for various tires and comparing them to find exactly what you really want and not necessarily what other people say you want. :) ... Oh, and FYI, tire sizes and weights are NOT consistent across manufacturers. One company's 33" tire is the same number as a 32" tire at another. You really have to look at the specs.
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