Hey guys, I've got a 2009 E-150 that I drive 95% of the time on the highway. I really like the look of the off road vans I've seen and I'm slowly working mine in that direction. I'm wondering about tires. I have the stock 225/75r16 on there now. I would like to go bigger and maybe all terrain (for looks). I called one of the big online tire companies and they said I could probably get away with a 265/70r16. I read a lot about needing more torque to accelerate vs highway cruising and how they might cancel each other out for mpg ratings. Also to consider is the gap between the tire and wheel well. The smallest gap with the stock tires turned all the way to the side is about 2 inches. With that bigger tire it would make that gap about 1 inch. I'm wondering if anyone has any input based on personal experiences and not just torque info facts.

Thanks!

 

Ford used 245/75x16's as a stock size so you would be fine with that upsize as a "just right" fit. I have always had 5-lug vans and the normal go-to upsize was 255/70x15". Your van sits a bit higher than the old 5-lug E150's so the 265's *might* just fit but might have interference in the front wheel wells when you are turning and deflecting the suspension.

All terrain tires will definitely reduce your mileage (been there done that) because the additional rubber blocks and thicker tread will use your gasoline to create heat and flex.

On my '02 E150 (4.6, 3.55 axle) I went from the stock Michelin 235/75x15's to 30x9.50x15 all terrains (Firestone Destination AT's). I did controlled gas mileage tests over a few tanks and my freeway mileage went down from 17 to about 14.5 and the van would downshift on uphills I did not realize were there with the stock tires. So yes, I had the loss of torque AND gas mileage. The van was noticeably more sluggish. Returned the Firestones under their 30 day warranty (lost only the cost of mounting and balancing). The extra fuel over the lifetime of the tires would have been over a grand so consider carefully how much looks matter to you. Gas mileage and performance trumped cooler looks in my case. If you have a 5.4 and stiffer rear axle gears your experience may be different.

I'd suggest Michelin LTX M/S2's which came stock on my van and many other Ford vans in all weight ranges. These tires roll well for mileage, they are quiet, and they last a long time. And they get thru snow very well.

George

 

+10 on this ^^^ YoGeorge and I are at least two Michelin LTX users who'd highly recommend them, most especially for your stated 95% highway mileage. I have a set running on a now-empty E250, they have over 60K miles installed way back in 2008. Tread life is still 40% of new but sadly they're past the age I could or would haul any sort of loads with--they've exceeded the recommended 5 year life of tires from date of manufacture.

I'd also offer just going for a look is okay IF it doesn't affect or reduce what your intended use is----something will suffer as a result. I'm also a fan of big, beefy, aggressive looking tires and wheels but with nearly every mile I drive being highway the most I do is use 245/75-R16's on an extended body E250. Even at 7,800# and 70 PSI all around I still average 15 MPG, might do a bit better with stock 225's.

My ride is as good as can be expected---I'd think the larger off-road type tires might affect that both in relative comfort and handling over the local highways.

 

YoGeorge did you adjust your mpg calculation for how far your odometer was off with the bigger tires? With that tire size change your odometer and speedo was 4% off.

Offroadartvan - The tire change you mentioned will probably be fine. They will be about 1.5" taller and 1.5" wider but that's only half that (.75") closer to your wheel wells.

Here's a calculator that I use all the time. Tire Size Calculator & Converter, Tire Size Conversion | Discount Tire

 

I absolutely did adjust my mpg for the larger diameter tires. Actually a 30x9.5 tire generally measures 29.5" diameter and I was massively disappointed in the huge losses in both mpg and performance in moving to an AT tire. The 4.6 runs right on the edge of efficiency in an E150 and if you push it beyond with more weight, or a larger tire, it loses a lot of what little guts it has. A 5.4 would probably feel less sluggish but I would bet the MPG would still go down with a larger AT tire, especially with a wider tread (which is not what you necessarily want for actual snow or mud performance).

The standard old-days tire switch on pickups and vans was replacing a 235/75x15 with a 255/70x15. That was a reasonable upgrade and I did it on at least 4 of my old trucks/vans. I always lost 1 mpg (staying with an all season tire and these were the same diameter).

One other point to the OP...if your wheels are narrow like 6.5 or 7" (I don't know what they are using on the 8 lug vans), a 265 wide tire will give you more side to side floatiness on the tires (you have to settle into a turn) and with a large AT tire, you will have more wear and cupping on the outside tread blocks. The van might feel much tighter on 245's.

I am a math geek and have spreadsheets which calculate and compare tire width and diameter from tire size.

George

 

Thanks so much for the comments guys. I think I will probably stick with the stock tires. It's a 4.6 so it's pretty slow already. I always have a full load and stuff on the roof so I'm only getting about 16mpg highway now. If and when gas prices go back up I'm sure I will be happy sacrificing a beefier look for money in the bank. Thanks again for all the help!