FYI.......over at CL forum, there was a discussion with 265/65/18 tires...and why some brands fit without rubbing and others rub.
Fit Test 265-65-R18 Spare Tire - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
So, this got me thinking...WTF is going on?! That led me to look around TireRack website. All 265/65/18 are 31.5" per specs. But yet, some fit and some rub. I then looked at REV / MILE spec and that was where i found HUGE discrepancies between brands and explains why some tires fit and some don't.
This applies to 18" tires...but 16" or 17" tires also have these discrepancies.
According to TireRack, there is a difference in REV / MILE among these 31.5" (aka 32") tires:
(For reference, stock Bridgestone Dueler HT 265/60/18 REV/mile = 683.)
Michelin Defender 265/60/18 = 682.
Michelin Defender 265/65/18 = 659.
Goodyear AT Kevlar 265/60/18 = 685.
Goodyear AT Kevlar 265/65/18 = 663.
Yokohama AT G015 265/60/18 = 681.
Yokohama AT G015 265/65/18 = 658.
BFG KO2 LT-E 265/60/18 = 682.
BFG KO2 LT-E 265/65/18 = 659.
(All above tires are P-metric except KO2.)
So, even though all are 31.5" on spec sheet, there is a difference in revolutions / mile. I think that REV/mile is the true indication of actual real-world size. So, given above, Goodyear Wrangler Adventure AT with Kevlar has the BEST chance to fit under the spare compartment without touching KDSS bar??? And also one that has least chance of any rubbing with the fenders (since a few has reported rubbing)? Seemingly, the GY tire is among the "smallest" of 32" tires there is out there.
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