Skinny tires

[ridgerunner]

What is the skinniest tire, that is 31" tall and under, that U can put on a ranger using 15 or 14" rims? My 235-75-15's are about 29X9.5X15 but actually measure about 7" wide at the tread. I've seen a few on older rangers and Mazda's that are about 5" wide but don't remember the size.

 

[SenorNoob]

I suppose the first question is why? There are probably some front tractor tires that would be pretty narrow.

If you're looking for digging into mud then I'd look at something called a 700-15. 7 inches wide with tread like a rear tractor tire. It's an old school bias ply thing.

Keep in mind the narrower the tire the less traction it'll have on the highway. (If you plan to drive it on the highway.)

 

[brokemechanic3000]

I know that super swampers can come in bias 31x9.5x15. I have looked for narrower tall tires but it seems that if you want taller you have to go wider while being radial truck tires. There are some Ag tires that would work but I wouldn't recommend them unless it is a dedicated trail rig that never sees pavement. Also keep in mind that 15" tires are slowly becoming obsolete, I talked to a few manufacturers at trade shows and the selections for smaller tires are becoming more limited every year.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I believe Interco still sells the 28x8.50-14s. I had a set, but the 14" rims will not fit over a D35 hub or rear disc brakes.


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[kimcrwbr1]

Mine are 215-75R15 stock tires on B-II rims. The skinnier the tire the more pounds per square inch surface area. What are you trying to accomplish?

 

[ridgerunner]

Just curious is all. I know Interco makes a lot of diff. sizes but many are bias ply. Don't know why we can't get a tall, skinny radial tire Skinny tires are the cat's arse, they dig into the mud, snow, and are better on ice too (they are also lighter in weight). I won't ever see sand here in PA or anywhere where I'll ever go so wider floatation tires are useless IMO. My 285-70-17's on my 2500 Dodge float all over in the thin, greasy mud around here. They are only 11" wide.

 

[SenorNoob]

I've seen as small as 195-75-15, but that's pretty short too. Kinda cheap lowrider style.

 

[brokemechanic3000]

You can go up to a 16" wheel and get LT215-85R16 That is roughly 30.5" tall and rather narrow at 8.5" and will fit a wheel 5.5"-7" wide.

 

[bigmark303]

The factory 235/75/15 or upgraded 31x10.50x15 that most people run are plenty skinny for the terrain youll see on the East Coast. Going thinner is not at all beneficial. you lose steering control, stability, contact surface, and they dig far to much.

Youll notice tires to thin will follow ruts and have a real hard time pulling out of them. Theyll dig down first rather than dig down but still move forward. There are plenty of videos of the old 1940s Jeeps and dodge power wagons with the real skinny tires. Watch some and youll see that too thin is very hard to work with.

 

[thirdroc17]

I've wondered the same, and plan on getting the 215/85-16's if nothing else works out.

I don't go offroad, and the skinnier tires are easier for the suspension to control, lighter which is always a benefit in unsprung weight, still have enough weight carrying capacity in one tire to almost carry the entire vehicle, roll easier for better mileage, won't hydroplane in the wet as bad, won't pull in the snow as much, and the list goes on.

I became a fan of narrower tires one winter day when I drove past a stuck 4x4 with huge, wide tires, with my Neon. All those big, wide tires did was drag him into the ditch.

 

[Jay'94]

I have 33x10.50x15 on mine. Love the ride on the road, do a LOT of steep Beach launching of my boat at Lake Travis here in Texas. Does just as well as anything else out there. And have actually had to pull several larger F series with 35 and larger wide tires with boats out of the lake. Problem with most folks nowadays in a truck is they think they're all that and drive worse than a soccer mom!

 

[superds]

I will agree that skinnier tires have their advantage in many situations. One issue with the 215/85R16 is that they generally come only in load range E which will mean it is a very heavy tire for its size and will counter your quest for a lightweight tire. Try to stick to P-metric tires, as these seem to be a little skinnier than the floatation sizes and will have a lighter weight carcass as well. For wheel size, if you go with 16" wheels instead of 14s or 15s you will have a lot more choices of tires to choose from.