Advice on changing tire size.

[dman1023]

I have a 2003 Tahoe LT and need advice on my tires. I currently have P265/70 R16 tires and I was told that to improve the handling and reduce some of the roll, I should get tires with a lower sidewall ( lower aspect). Does this sound right? I assume that to compensate for the slightly smaller tire size, I should increase my rim size. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Donut Slayer]

Nope, you need a stiffer sidwall like a "LT" tire. A "p" rated tire will always have weaker sidwalls than a LT one. Tires have a load rating, ie, "C" "D" "E" where as E rating has a much stiffer sidewall cause it has more "plys" in its construction. It will cost more too than a C rated tire.

 

[NathanJax]

Nope, you need a stiffer sidwall like a "LT" tire. A "p" rated tire will always have weaker sidwalls than a LT one. Tires have a load rating, ie, "C" "D" "E" where as E rating has a much stiffer sidewall cause it has more "plys" in its construction. It will cost more too than a C rated tire.

while I agree, I also think a lower side wall would "kinda" work, but not as much as what Donut mentioned.

If you do a lower sidewall, you do need a bigger rim to keep the gap between the fender and tire the same. You could also upgrade sway bars, get different shocks/springs, etc.

 

[Poppasmurf]

My wife's BMW X5 has summer 315-35-20 on back & 285-40-20 on front. She "likes" the look. The truck handles like it is on rails BUT-it will shake your teeth out-it rides like a buck board. Her winters are 265-55-18 and they are so smooth and still handle as well as you'd want to lean a 6,000lb vehicle into corners. If you don't mind compromising ride go for it, and you can run staggered tires on 4x4 as long as OD is the same. Tires will not do any thing for roll though- that is springs and shocks. Do you have the "electric" shocks they put on the Yukons and Tahoes- they should be compensating for lean if they are working.