skinny vs. wide

[91rangerxlt]

ok just wanting some opinions on whats better for the mud grip style tire. is it better to have a wide tire to float across the top, or a skinny tire that cuts through down to the bottom? whats your opinions?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

A balance so you can do either if needed.

Too big and you sit on the top and spin. Too narrow and you cut down and bottom out.

What that is I can't say though.

 

[scrizzo]

i agree. you really need to find out whats best for your particular vehicle... with smaller trucks i like a 12.5 any more and u really will float too much. . . . It also depends on where else youll be taking ur rig, there really is no "perfect" tire for all situations unfortunately

 

[91rangerxlt]

i agree. you really need to find out whats best for your particular vehicle... with smaller trucks i like a 12.5 any more and u really will float too much. . . . It also depends on where else youll be taking ur rig, there really is no "perfect" tire for all situations unfortunately

actually ive had more than 1 person tell me they will go anywhere and everywhere with one set of tires...and that is the bfg all terrains...i just laughed at them and walked away shaking my head.

 

[feellnfroggy]

well they are right, you can go anywhere and everywhere with them. If you have enough weight, power and insane stupid driving ability. But the tires themselves are worthless in mud. they are a great summer street tire, great in sand and snow. Ok in ice and did I mention...they suck in the mud.

 

[bobbywalter]

as always.....depends on the general situation.

 

[3.0ranger1227]

never got stuck in mud on my stock 235/75/r15s. and those were strictly a street tire lol.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

never got stuck in mud on my stock 235/75/r15s. and those were strictly a street tire lol.

I never got stuck with the most pathetic set of 235/75-15 street tires either. I also chose most of my battles wisely though... the rest I got out of with dumb luck.

 

[trail B2]

I put 33 10.5 KM2 BFGs on my B2 and I've been real happy with them.The CHP are overly enthusiastic in my little town and you can't have tires sticking out.Didn't want big fender flairs to tear off.Since I got a winch jumped into a lot of snow messes always got out real impressed around here.I was really worried about narrower tires but really like them.

 

[legoms013]

For RBV, you can't go wrong with a 33x10.5 or 33x12.5. If you think you'll need the flotation characteristic more, go with the 12.5's. If you wanna save a little weight and gas, the 10.5's will do everything you throw at them. Plus they are a little cheaper.

I'm sold on the narrower ones b/c they are cheaper to buy, operate and I like the look of a narrow tire.

But if you don't mind payin a little more up front and at the gas pump, the wider ones are great too.

Just depends on your budget, driving style, terrain you drive on and preference on what looks better to you.

 

[mhughes165]

light trucks ACTUALLY do better in my experience with wider tires, ive run alot of different tires on alot of different LIGHT trucks (tracker/sami/b2/ranger/toyota/nissan/sploder) they all benefit from the flotation factor, aslong as u got the meat to keep ya movin and arent afraid to really open up a truck the widest u can feasibly run is the best

me.... on a light truck, 35x15x15 TSL SX's are my favorite tire for small trucks, there heavy enough to lower the vehicles COG wide enough to float but have weight and nice side meat so they keep u moving


floating will ALWAYS work, trying to get to the bottom of things just gets u stuck

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Too wide and you give up control, and depending on engine you can start coming up short on power to keep them clean.

If you can't keep them clean and they plug up, there you sit.

 

[legoms013]

I'm not a mud guy, so a skinny tall tire is what I like b/c there is a smaller footprint, meaning higher psi numbers than what would be given on a wide tire.

A small foot print with alot of weight on it works wonders for grip/traction on rocks (im in cali so i hardly ever see snow ice or mud).

plus anything with a 12.5 width is going to be really heavy on any RBV unless you are correctly geared (4.56 for 33's, 5.13 for 35's etc).

and yes the wider the tire, generally the more they wander too.

 

[strvger]

running 215/85x16. 31 inches tall and not more 9 inches wide. tread is about 7.5 inches. great on the road as well as trails. mine are AT type tread but i don't rock crawl or run in mud. however, my road gets to be 6-10 inches of mud when the spring thaw comes and they do very well. road manners are excellent, and they do really good in the snow and on the ice here during the winter. when driving trails, it's nice to be able to pick my way around obstacles preventing carnage on my classic '83. big floaters and i'd be forced to muscle over those same obstacles resulting in needless damage to my truck. being E-rated, i don't worry much about punctures or cuts really. the ride is just how i like it: firm, crisp handling without a harsh ride.
just my $.02.

 

[mhughes165]

Too wide and you give up control, and depending on engine you can start coming up short on power to keep them clean.

If you can't keep them clean and they plug up, there you sit.

i had plenty of control, always do, and if ur truck doesnt have the balls to spin the tires in 4 low then u shouldnt have that big of a tire on the truck period, its best for mud, and thats what he asked about.