Help! Need Bigger tires

[BostonGreg]

Hi Everyone and thank you for reading. I am currently looking to buy an 08 LimitedV6. These come with P235/65R18 Stock on it. I need to use the SUV on the beach in the summer but need a minimum tire size of P255/55R18. Does anyone have any recomendations on what I should do. I am not looking to "lift" this Explorer or do any mods, I just need bigger tires on it. I sent TownFairTire.com a question and asked about 255/55R18 Pirelli Scorpion ATR’s being put on. The answer I got back was I dont know.. would need to test first. I found this forum and decided who better to ask than people that own Explorers! So if anyone has any advise could you please help me out and let me know if a bigger tire size would work on that SUV!

Thanks again,
Greg

 

[muhl5443]

i dont see why you couldnt un the bigger tires.

 

[Tbars4]

...There is no need to post several threads....Here is a link to the Forum Rules..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/faq.php?faq=vb3_board_faq#faq_board_rules

...and these are your other threads posted within minutes of each other...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241332

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241331

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241330

 

[Blee1099]

Ditto what Tbars said.. No need to post the same question numerous times. Just stick to one post on the question/subject.. We'll see it.

 

[BostonGreg]

Sorry

Sorry. Just figured it would be better seen if I put it in a couple different places. My Bad.

 

[DeRocha]

I need to use the SUV on the beach in the summer but need a minimum tire size of P255/55R18.

Thanks again,
Greg

Hi Greg,
Which beaches are you planning on running and are you sure of their requirements? As a group NEX (New England Explorers) have had no issues with stock vehicles at the Cape cod national sea shore

 

[Lacky01]

many explorers can run up to a 31" tire without a lift, that would be 265 in metric. the 255 should fit, but I'm no expert.

 

[BostonGreg]

Hey thanks for the reply back. I do head out onto the beaches in turuo and provincetown all summer long till they close it down in October. They have tire size requirements. Never had a problem in the past cause I have a F150 Supercrew and those stock tires are well big enough.

http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/oversand.htm




Rim Diameter
Width
Profile Example

19”
265
50 or >
P265 / 50 R19

18”
255
55 or >
P255 / 55 R18

17”
245
60 or >
P245 / 60 R17

16”
235
65 or >
P235 / 65 R16

15"
225
70 or >
P225 / 70 R15

14"
195
70 or >
P195 / 70 R14

13"
185
70 or >
P185 / 70 R13

 

[DeRocha]

Hey thanks for the reply back. I do head out onto the beaches in turuo and provincetown all summer long till they close it down in October. They have tire size requirements. Never had a problem in the past cause I have a F150 Supercrew and those stock tires are well big enough.

http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/oversand.htm

You won't have any issues running P255s. The tire diameter & height is the same for both sizes, the primary (Fitment) difference between the two tires sizes is that the P255's are 0.79" wider. This translates to an additional 0.4" of rubber on each side of the tire.

IMO if your current tires are still okay then I'd look into seeing if the ranger station would pass them (often the tire guidelines are guidelines and not etched in stone). Otherwise if they force you to get P255s you'd have to get 5 as their guidelines state all tires much meet the same minimum standard.

Because of the increased beach closures (not to mention gas prices) we didn't venture to the Cape last year.. When did you go, and how much of the Beach was still accessible?

 

[BostonGreg]

Thank you for the awesome reply again. I go down to that area once a month for a weekend and spend the first week of July there and the First week or August there. I was out on the beach all the time last summer and it was great. There are lots of areas closed due to the damn Piping Plover but I'm grateful that we're still allowed to go out and drive down the beach and have a great time. It changes every day down there cause of the birds when they are nesting. Some days it was great and others there was only 1/2 mile open at most. Nothing like having a beach fire all night and having your truck there to jump in and leave when it's time to go! Passes go onsale April 10th for the year and I'll be back to pick mine up. Just have to decide weather to buy this Explorer and pay even more $ for all new tires if need be or buy an H3 for the same money and won't have to buy anything for it...uhhhh decisions.

 

[BostonGreg]

This is what I got from TireRack about the tires fitting?? you think they really know what they are talking about?

Good Morning Greg,
Thank you for the inquiry. 255/55-18 will work fine on your Explorer. Please let me know if I can order them for you.
thank you
Austin Martin | Sales Specialist

&
Hi Greg,
Yes, the tire will fit. I will guaranty fitment. If you have fitment problems and you don't drive on them. I will return them and give you full refund.
Please let me know if I can get them for you. You are welcome to give me a call if you like.
thank you
Austin Martin | Sales Specialist

 

[Donner]

How will you know if there isn't a fitment problem if you don't drive on them? You have to road test them... Sounds like a catch.