Tire recommendation for Outer Banks. I’m so confused 😵‍💫

[ethanridings]

Just hit 40k on my stock 225-60r18 tires! I’m looking to replace them with something a little more aggressive looking but these threads are confusing me. I’ve seen a lot of people experimenting with other sizes but I know absolutely nothing about tires and what I can get away with.

what’s the consensus as of 2025? Any recommendations?

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[jkernitzki]

Just hit 40k on my stock 225-60r18 tires! I’m looking to replace them with something a little more aggressive looking but these threads are confusing me. I’ve seen a lot of people experimenting with other sizes but I know absolutely nothing about tires and what I can get away with.

what’s the consensus as of 2025? Any recommendations?

Everyone here has an opinion, and is genuinely trying to be helpful, but none of us know you and your needs. Short answer/advice, replace them with a tire that's suitable to your driving environment and style. How "aggressive" a tire looks should be the absolute last criteria considered, if it's considered at all. After all, who cares how cool a tire looks to others if it makes you miserable driving with them. Ask me how I know...

Changing sizes can be helpful or a nightmare, again depending on your needs. Clearances, altered economy, added road noise, speedometer/odometer errors, etc., are all things that have to be added to the equation. Oh, and cost. The tire you drool over may also be the one that's 30%-50% more per tire than something more appropriate. That same tire also may require altering suspension components, so there's another additional cost. Don't forget to account for a spare in all this.

I'm highlighting some of the more extreme examples, but since we don't know what you'd like to go for, I just want to throw them out there. Your ideal tire may simply be a straight swap with no other issues.

https://tirerack.com and https://discounttire.com have configurators that are useful, and https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/ is a good source for understanding what the impacts are.

 

[Jake25]

Falken Wildpeak A/T4W 245/65-17

 

[ethanridings]

Falken Wildpeak A/T4W 245/65-17

So my understanding is these wouldn’t fit on my rims?

 

[Rob Binsky]

I knew nothing about tires and wheels until the last few weeks when I decided I wanted all black rims (wheels) to replace my OEM ones on my 2025 Outerbanks that came with 18” tires (and to keep the tires, that only had 600 miles on them).

I learned that tires and rims/wheels are a multi-faceted thing with several different measurements that have to match up.

Since your tires are the same as mine, I learned that the measurements are:

Size: 225/60R18
Wheel Width: 7.5”
Offset: 42.5
backspacing: Approximately 6.2 inches (157.5 mm)
Bolt Pattern: 5x108mm
Center bore: 634 mm

So, unless you want to get new rims as well, I’m going to suggest you get the same size tires you have now. If you’re up for changing both the tires and rims, I’ll have to defer to all the other folks. And, don’t even ask about a spare. That’s a whole other problem!

 

[jkernitzki]

The Falkens suggested above, while an outstanding tire for off-road use, don’t come in a size that would match both your existing wheels and still have a proper fitment within the wheel well without modifications.

The BF Goodrich Trail-Terrain T/A comes in a 225/60 18, and would give a good mix of on & off road capability.

If you don’t off-road at all, don’t get a tire made for it as its on-road performance is compromised in favor of off-road capability. Not to mention you’re paying for something you can’t use to its fullest.

 

[Zolutar]

Choose to your needs, if you do alot of highway driving, then stick to your OEM tire size and there are plenty of options out there for tread all with their pros and cons be it all-seasons, all-weather or all-terrain.
There are many many choices for standard all seasons, usually more budget friendly, fuel efficient and longer treadlife. Many tread styles to choose from all with their pros and cons.

You said you want a more aggressive looking tire, then All terrains are what you're looking for as they do have a more aggressive tread and sidewall patterns..
All-terrains have their differences to, though most are all weather rated (not to be confused as all season) but again, if mostly highway with some light off-roading, go with something like the Falken Wildpeak trails, or Nokian Outpost APT, BF Goodrich Trail-Terrain T/A among others. These would be my choice, as they usually still have good fuel economy and long treadlife.
If you are doing alot more offroad, then a more aggressive AT like the Falken Wldpeak AT4W's, Nokian Outpost NAT, among others. Trade off usually is more road noise and poorer fuel economy.
But the best bonus of alot of all-terrains is not just dirt and mud, but rated for snow and ice traction.

Oversizing the tire is mostly for looks but can come in handy for real hard offroading. Trade offs are a heavier tire resulting in poorer fuel economy. Not to mention your speedometer is no longer reporting accurately and going too big can cause suspension complications requiring modifications.

Budget is a factor too as to what you might choose.

Do some research, look at some reviews, figure what your priorities are.
Personally I feel the light off road class is for me and went with a set of Nokian Outpost APT

Good luck!

 

[mikldom]

So my understanding is these wouldn’t fit on my rims?

These will not fit the Outer Banks trim as the wheels are 18".

Unless you do what I did was to buy a new take off set of rims from a Badlands and put some nice 245/65/17 All Terrains on there. I have my stock wheels with some nice Goodyear Highway tires and a spare set of 17's with aggressive off-road tread for when I drive in the beach or go offroading.

I do have a Rough Country replacement suspension lift on mine and couldn't be happier. Over 50,000 miles on it. Drives as good as stock. Replacement struts and shocks with built in lift.

 

[fjbear!]

Everyone here has an opinion, and is genuinely trying to be helpful, but none of us know you and your needs. Short answer/advice, replace them with a tire that's suitable to your driving environment and style. How "aggressive" a tire looks should be the absolute last criteria considered, if it's considered at all. After all, who cares how cool a tire looks to others if it makes you miserable driving with them. Ask me how I know...

Changing sizes can be helpful or a nightmare, again depending on your needs. Clearances, altered economy, added road noise, speedometer/odometer errors, etc., are all things that have to be added to the equation. Oh, and cost. The tire you drool over may also be the one that's 30%-50% more per tire than something more appropriate. That same tire also may require altering suspension components, so there's another additional cost. Don't forget to account for a spare in all this.

I'm highlighting some of the more extreme examples, but since we don't know what you'd like to go for, I just want to throw them out there. Your ideal tire may simply be a straight swap with no other issues.

https://tirerack.com and https://discounttire.com have configurators that are useful, and https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/ is a good source for understanding what the impacts are.

I dont know the person telling u this advice but I would like to call them friend. What they said was correct make you happy. Go speak to a good tire man at a brick and mortar and listen to what he says and then choose.

 

[jkernitzki]

I dont know the person telling u this advice but I would like to call them friend. What they said was correct make you happy. Go speak to a good tire man at a brick and mortar and listen to what he says and then choose.

Aw, shucks!

 

[RidingTheBronco]

Just hit 40k on my stock 225-60r18 tires! I’m looking to replace them with something a little more aggressive looking but these threads are confusing me. I’ve seen a lot of people experimenting with other sizes but I know absolutely nothing about tires and what I can get away with.

what’s the consensus as of 2025? Any recommendations?

You hit 40k in how long? What driving style/type are you doing? If you drive a lot, you need a better highway tire. This means smoother, not more aggressive. The other comments are right on, as well. Think about what you want and need.

 

[hellb0y]

Leave the skinny tires behind….

I put these tires on mine:
Goodyear - Assurance WeatherReady 2 - 235/65R18

They work great! And have the Bronco Sport more ground clearance and more off road looks.

 

[thegadgetfish]

I’ve had Nitto Nomad Grappers on my OBX- 235/60/r18 and they’ve been fantastic in sand, snow and rain. I honestly only go camping/offroading 5 days out of the year, but there’s a lot of tread even after 3 years and they look cool IMO.

 

[Stircrazy]

Just hit 40k on my stock 225-60r18 tires! I’m looking to replace them with something a little more aggressive looking but these threads are confusing me. I’ve seen a lot of people experimenting with other sizes but I know absolutely nothing about tires and what I can get away with.

what’s the consensus as of 2025? Any recommendations?

I went with the cooper discoverer road and trail A/T in the factory size. I have been totally impressed with them through the fall winter, spring and now summer.

 

[RSH]

Likely there will be no consensus, you will get almost as many recommendations as the number of belly buttons posting them.
These days if you stick with the brand name manufactures it's hard to go wrong.
Find a place you can get a fair deal and good service. Your only stipulation seems to be that you'd like a more aggressive looking tire and possibly the next size up, that's pretty easy to fulfill.

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