Tire question

[whoareyou4]

I am looking for tires for my 04 Tahoe. The decal on the door says that the original tires were a 245/75-16. I have 265/75-16 on there now from the previous owner. They are Goodyears and I think that the sidewalls are weak cause they are kind of wavy in a way if you look them from a shallow angle. What are the reasons for a wider tire? What will perform better in Minnesota winters wide or narrow?

 

[07burb]

Wider tires were probably for better looks and better traction