245/75/16 E tires to 265/75/16 E tires

daamac wrote:
Is there any reason not to change from 245/75/16 E tires to 265/75/16 E tires? I'm considering doing so due to the increase in load capacity from 3042 pounds @80PSI for the 245 tire to 3415 pounds @80PSI for the 265 tire.

I realize that the speedometer will read about 4% slower with the 265 than with the 245 tire.

IMO you are in reality gaining nothing and it's going to cost you $$$ in just tire costs. Your current tires, assuming they are the OEM size already handle your GAWRs and you have whatever safety margin there is there already. Getting more "SAFETY MARGIN" which is all you are really doing is not something you can quantify anyway so IMHO this is a waste of time and effort.

One generic thing you can say is that it will most probably be a negative towing wise since it will effectively lower your drivetrain ratio in all gears (read rear gearing) and while you probably can't quantify it, it is as closer to a fact than this thought of gaining some "EXTRA SAFETY MARGIN" is.

Larry