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Skinny tires vs wide tires for off-road

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by TheBeast, Nov 28, 2017.

  1. Nov 28, 2017 at 9:27 AM
    #1
    TheBeast

    TheBeast [OP] The Beach

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    zcarpenter92 likes this.
  2. Nov 28, 2017 at 10:23 AM
    #2
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

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    I think the 35 might be a little better for floating in sand like Pismo. I think too that the extra width helps save your rims from rock rash. But, the 2 you've chosen are so similar that most of the time it won't make a noticeable difference. Just my .02. I don't really know shit.
     
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  3. Nov 28, 2017 at 10:24 AM
    #3
    Pudge

    Pudge Super Secret Elite Member #7

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    I think they each have their use. If you look at many off-road trucks all over the world, the use of tall and skinny seems to be preferred (see land cruisers and rovers) . They cut through snow and mud well, also can air them down to a nice wide, soft base to provide good "flotation".
     
  4. Nov 28, 2017 at 10:43 AM
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    Stumpjumper

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    From my experience and what I have read is mud - open tread and narrow you want a digger, sand wide and closed tread you don't want a digger, snow narrow to decrease rolling resistance in deep snow and tread in between sand and mud. In snow you actually want the snow to pack in the voids because snow sticks to snow better than it does rubber. I know you are going to get some differing opinions on this forum and people are going to say that MTs are good in the snow. I say compare a true dedicated snow tire to a MT. You will see that snow tires do have some lugs but the voids are much tighter.
     
  5. Nov 28, 2017 at 11:17 AM
    #5
    TundraTss

    TundraTss The Mistress

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    Everything. Literally.
    What he said.
     
  6. Nov 28, 2017 at 11:42 AM
    #6
    14burrito

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    Pizza cutters for the mothaffreakin win.

    Tall and skinny all day long.

    I'll try to find reading material for you.

    I wish someone made a true to size 35 x 11.5 r17.

    Edit
    You already have said reading material posted.

    Keep in mind a 35x12.5 will not be a true 35, the 285/75/18 is probably going to be closer to 35".
     
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  7. Nov 28, 2017 at 11:55 AM
    #7
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    Terrain dependent. Go with what other rigs are running on the terrain you're going to frequent.
     
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  8. Nov 28, 2017 at 12:08 PM
    #8
    joonbug

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    Too bad they don't make a 295/73/18... that would be perfect. :D The 12.5" just adds too much unnecessary width and weight but the 285 is almost too skinny. I'm starting to get scratches on my wheels even with the 295's. If I can find a 305/70/18 in the tire that I want, that will probably be my next tire size.
     
  9. Nov 28, 2017 at 2:35 PM
    #9
    TheBeast

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    yes the 35" from Toyo are 34.2" so pretty much a 285
     
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  10. Nov 28, 2017 at 2:38 PM
    #10
    TheBeast

    TheBeast [OP] The Beach

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    also going with skinnier means less hassle with rubbing and turning radius. Also less mass to rotate when driving and stress on all the steering components.
     
  11. Nov 28, 2017 at 2:39 PM
    #11
    TundraTss

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    Everything. Literally.
    I vote for girth.

    No homo.
     
  12. Nov 28, 2017 at 2:41 PM
    #12
    TheBeast

    TheBeast [OP] The Beach

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    it's down to skinny or meaty. ladies, any inputs ?
     
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  13. Nov 28, 2017 at 2:49 PM
    #13
    joonbug

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    Cooper STT Pro makes a 305/70/18. Weighs 71 lbs. That's a true 35x12. That's my next tire. Unfortunately that'll be in about 10 years. :(
     
  14. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:08 PM
    #14
    TheBeast

    TheBeast [OP] The Beach

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    damn..71lbs ! wth
     
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  15. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:18 PM
    #15
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    What??? The Toyo 35x12.5 is 77lbs!!!

    and the 285's are 63lbs
     
  16. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:25 PM
    #16
    TheBeast

    TheBeast [OP] The Beach

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    :spy::spy:
     
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  17. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:26 PM
    #17
    TheBeast

    TheBeast [OP] The Beach

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  18. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:36 PM
    #18
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    Studded for ice. Wider for flotation, skinny for digging, in snow. Just depends upon what you're driving through.
     
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  19. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:41 PM
    #19
    Tomcat

    Tomcat Ever see a motorcycle outside a shrinks office?

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    Skinny tires would get better gas mileage as well on pavement
     
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  20. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:44 PM
    #20
    Eclipsed & Floating

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    Depends on what you drive on most. For fun off road in snow a wider tire, but a more narrow tire handles every day driving better on snow and ice. Nothing handles well on ice, but a good tread is better than a crap tread.

    I have snow tires now but was running 35 x 12.5 toyo C/Ts tha are all around great tires
     
    TheBeast[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  21. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:47 PM
    #21
    Baja Mike

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    Yup. The idea is the tire cuts through the snow and ice to get to the road.

     
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  22. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:50 PM
    #22
    Wynnded

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    Gnarly tires, those!
     
  23. Nov 28, 2017 at 3:50 PM
    #23
    blue16

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    I have done the 12.5 wide tires for years they are cool and do the job but you loose turning radius and fuel economy. My next set will be the 285/75 for the width. I don't want to deal with rubbing either
     
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  24. Nov 28, 2017 at 4:21 PM
    #24
    ColoradoTJ

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    Skinny is better in most things in life, except deep snow/mud. :D

    I was not happy when my 40” tires were not offered in 12.50 widths. They are now 13.50”.
     
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  25. Nov 28, 2017 at 6:51 PM
    #25
    CM-LENNY

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    I've had the Nitto G2 in 285/75-18 and now in 37/12.50-18. I was shocked at the difference the little extra width made in the sand. Much more flotation in the sand with that 12.50. I was/am very happy with both size tires for everyday driving. I have my 37's on stock TRD wheels and can do 90 MPH on the hi-way and the truck handles like a sports car. Handling all comes down to keeping the truck with a low COG, good suspension, correct wheels and tires. Just my 2 cents.......
     
  26. Jun 23, 2018 at 8:15 AM
    #26
    Samoan Thor

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    Reviving an old thread, what are some skinny tire sizes for a 17 or 18” wheel? I tried 35/11.5 on both and no tire sizes available on tire rack or discount tire but I haven’t looked anywhere else. Who’s running skinnys and what size?
     
  27. Jun 23, 2018 at 8:54 AM
    #27
    Samoan Thor

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    thanks @Watt maker, I wanna get skinnys, been researching and trying to get the best mods/tires everything I put on the truck with performance in mind over looks.
     
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  28. Jun 23, 2018 at 9:31 AM
    #28
    joonbug

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    I also don’t want to go to a 12.5” wide tire. But if you go too skinny you’ll scratch up your wheels more. I think 305/70/18 is a good trade off. Probably my next size. Unless I go to 37’s. ;)
     
  29. Jun 23, 2018 at 10:16 AM
    #29
    TheBeast

    TheBeast [OP] The Beach

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    yep gotta do your homework first.
    So far I really like 295/70/18. good compromise as far as size/height/minimal stress on suspension/steering and being able to fit it under the bed
     
  30. Jun 23, 2018 at 11:26 AM
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    15whtrd

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    Some may think it’s a bitch move but... I'm going with 275/70/18 when the time comes.
     

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