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More Wheel and Tire Talk

RamRod

RamRod

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,914
Location
AB, Canada
I am in desperate need of a new set of tires, I know this was coming and as some of you know I have pick up some 16" Hutchinson Beadlocks to replace my 20" Ultra Goliath rims.

I just can't make up my mind on what size of tire I should run and would love to heart others input on the two sizes I am fighting with.

385/70r16's (37.5x14.5)
Or
315/75r16's (34.5x12.5)

I currently have 37's mounted and have the speedo adjusted to it, either option I would have to re calibrate.

What I am most concerned about running 385's is that they are 14.5" wide and the rim is only 7.25".... Since it's a double beadlock I guess that's not as bad but I still feel like this could cause issues on the highway or while aired down... All speculation but I'd hate to spend $1,600 on a new set of tires and have a $h!tty ride!

I really like the number of tire options that are available for the 315's and depending on the tire I choose from in this size there is a savings of anywhere from $30-150/tire.

I feel that even though I would loose some advantage of keeping the bigger tire the Beadlocks offset it.... But then again if I keep the larger size tire and run Beadlocks I am at an advantage compared to before...

I am tempted to just pick up a used set of 315's from Craig's list to see what the compromise truly ends up being and if it's something I am willing to live with....

Plus I do t want to look like I skipped leg day!!

Any other thoughts?


Sent from handheld smoke signal device
 
06 H3

06 H3

a.k.a. "The Jackal"
Messages
9,503
Location
Meridian, ID
bebe runs 365s on her H3.

I will be running 13.5in wide tires in a week, ordered new ones today. They say narrow rims and a wide tire is a cheap mans beadlock. While there is no replacement for a true beadlock from what I have read the chances of you unseating is less with a narrow rim.
 
RamRod

RamRod

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,914
Location
AB, Canada
06 H3 said:
bebe runs 365s on her H3.

I will be running 13.5in wide tires in a week, ordered new ones today. They say narrow rims and a wide tire is a cheap mans beadlock. While there is no replacement for a true beadlock from what I have read the chances of you unseating is less with a narrow rim.
Click to expand...

The 365's are the KM2 correct? If so I can't run them here, they are horrible in the cold and on ice, which will be my driving conditions from basically now until April :(

Is a 7 inch rim too narrow for a 14.5" tire though? There has to be a point where it's getting too narrow to work effectively?
 
RamRod

RamRod

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,914
Location
AB, Canada
06 H3 said:
I ordered 37x12.5x16 Trxus MT's this morning. They measure out to a big 37... 37.2x13.1x16
Click to expand...

I will see what your experiences are with them, they were up at the top of my list for a long while but a recent account from a guy in our off road club scared me off
 
derian06

derian06

Red Rockett
Messages
1,866
Location
Madison, AL
RamRod said:
The 365's are the KM2 correct? If so I can't run them here, they are horrible in the cold and on ice, which will be my driving conditions from basically now until April :(

Is a 7 inch rim too narrow for a 14.5" tire though? There has to be a point where it's getting too narrow to work effectively?
Click to expand...

Just have them siped, and they'll do great on ice. They do great in snow from what i've heard. Or you could buy chains too.
 
Last edited:
Happy Hummer

Happy Hummer

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,462
Location
Wisconsin
Actually seems that you'd desire less width. The purpose being to reach down further to gain traction and then air down. Living in Wisconsin gives me my insight. I chose to stay with smaller diameter and width to achieve good contact patch.

Chris
 
Scarsman

Scarsman

Sponsor
Messages
1,561
Location
Monroe, WA
From my experience as a tire monkey, 14.5 is waaay wide for that wheel. It will be fine for off road, but you will get very poor wear pattern and shorter life from them on road.

As for snow, it all depends on the conditions. On snow pack/maintained roads and shallow snow, as in no deeper than your axle clearance, you are way better off narrower. Smaller contact patch means higher psi ground pressure, means more bite. If the snow is deeper than your axle clearance and your tires can't "reach bottom" then you're better with wider and aired down.
 
RamRod

RamRod

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,914
Location
AB, Canada
06 H3 said:
Seeing where you live you might want to consider super wide tires. Snow wheeling you want more contact patch.
Click to expand...

This is true for deep snow wheeling

But

For driving on snowy streets I have been told by everyone local that narrow is better.

So I can't really win there lol


Sent from handheld smoke signal device
 
SuperBuickGuy

SuperBuickGuy

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,403
Location
Woodinville, WA
I'll join the "it's too wide" chorus as well... Around here getting anything 2" wider than the rim mounted can be a challenge (with that said, my current tires are 4" wider). Where you'll have issue, if you do mount them, is wearing the center out prematurely - or having a very wallowy ride if you compensate with lower tire pressure.

With that said, if all you do is rocks and drive around at 3 psi, those rims would be perfect.
 
06 H3

06 H3

a.k.a. "The Jackal"
Messages
9,503
Location
Meridian, ID
interesting. I wonder if my 7.5in rim (stocker) will be a problem with my 12.5in advertised but 13in actual width tire
 
amrg

amrg

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,317
Location
Qatar
For a 37" you have more sidewall which should allow you more bend than a smaller diameter tire with the same width!
 
06 H3

06 H3

a.k.a. "The Jackal"
Messages
9,503
Location
Meridian, ID
I was quoted a little bit cheaper then that for the creepy crawlers but opted out because I've read they aren't too street friendly
 
RamRod

RamRod

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,914
Location
AB, Canada
06 H3 said:
I was quoted a little bit cheaper then that for the creepy crawlers but opted out because I've read they aren't too street friendly
Click to expand...

I know two guys with them... They both run them on the street at 15 PSI with no side wall flex at all
 
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