Quote:
Originally Posted by Throwback
So
@ Jetboy
posted about this in the previous pizza cutter thread.
The tall skinny tire will "squish" more at the same psi as the wider tire because both tires will create the same square inch footprint at the same psi with the same vehicle weight. The fatter tire will have a wider footprint and the skinny tire will have a long footprint.
Because of that the tall skinny tire will be compressed more vertically and have less ground clearance under the axle.
So really the only advantage of the pizza cutters is better highway fuel mileage.
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This is all correct. It doesn't take a leap of faith or logic to reach the conclusion that - all else equal - wider tires = better offroad performance. There's a reason road bike tires don't look like mountain bike tires.
What needs to be recognized is that it's rarely a trade off between equal height tires. Usually given a vehicles drivetrain (power, gearing, axle strength), the choice is between a taller narrower tire or a shorter wider one. In that instance, the taller tire can often be a better option for certain types of use. A taller narrower tire is often a better choice in soft terrain than a shorter wider one. But not better than an equally tall wide one - assuming you have the power to push them.
I chose taller narrower tire over a shorter wider one in my last purchase. Although relatively similar in size I chose a 34x11.4 (285/75) over 33.4x11.9 (295/70). I agree that the two are pretty similar in fitment requirements for a 4runner, one is about half an inch taller, and one is half an inch wider. As between those options, I personally chose the taller narrower one because I think it'll be better for my use. Had there been a 35x10.5 tire in something not made by interco (I love me some interco tires - but not for a dial driver) I probably would have gone even taller an narrower.
BUT... that doesn't mean a 35x10.5 would be better than a 35x12.5 if they both fit. The 12.5 would be better in practically every offroad function.
And the narrower tire is often better for highway use as well. Taller narrower tires have lower rolling resistance and lower wind resistance. For mixed use it's often a better choice.
Finally, narrower tires are not better on snow or ice in almost any situation. Icelandic trucks look like they do for a reason. Those who speak should do. Those who do should speak. People who favor narrow tires on snow and ice have rarely ever used them on snow and ice. People who drive on snow and ice quickly learn that wider is better. The exceptions to the general rule are for highway driving scenarios - not off road. In slush for example a tire that doesn't hydroplane will be a better option, so a narrower tire may be preferable on slushy highways for example, just like a narrow tire will often be better in the rain to resist hydroplaning. But the narrow tire would not perform as well on a muddy road - unless the mud is only a few inches deep with sold soil underneath. So if your driving is primarily highway use and you occasionally encounter an unplowed road, or thin layer of mud on a logging road, narrow tire might work just as well for you without the highway penalty of wider tires. But if you're comparing which tire will be better for 3 feet of snow - it's not really even a question. Wider tire with lower ground pressure wins every time.