For Maximum Off-Road Traction; Wide or Skinny tires?

[LINY4Runner]

This has been a heated debate around this forum, so I figured, let's get all the votes in one place.

 

[JohnsD90]

Most was an overstatement, there are benefits and downsides to each. I already argued this once today. Also depends upon the application, the answer will come out to a draw or pretty close to one.

 

[4RBob]

short answer, it depends. i don't like anything skinnier than 11" or wider than 12.5", but wider and skinnier tires have their applications.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Most was an overstatement, there are benefits and downsides to each. I already argued this once today. Also depends upon the application, the answer will come out to a draw or pretty close to one.

now, now, John...don't go flip flopping on us now:

And skinny tires are superior in most offroad applications.

 

[JohnsD90]

OEM sucks Bryan, and i was too harsh on wide tires earlier but that is where i draw the line.

 

[JeremyH]

i don't like anything skinnier than 11" or wider than 12.5", but wider and skinnier tires have their applications.

Agreed. Wide enough to have a sidewall bulge when aired down, skinny enough to clear all suspension components when under full turn.

 

[jspagna1]

Not sure of the right answer, but this is a statement I found on the Tirerack website. Now in this case they are talking about snow, not dirt or mud. But would wonder if it would still apply.

Priorities for Sizing Winter Tires Are Different
Does your sports car, coupe or sedan use wide, low profile tires that are mounted on large diameter wheels? Or does your light truck use large flotation-sized tires? If you're going to drive through lots of snow this year you'll want your winter tires and wheels in sizes that help put the laws of physics on your side.

A wide, low profile or large tire has to "plow" a wide path through snow which causes more resistance. The narrower the tire, the easier you can get through snow.

 

[4RBob]

Not sure of the right answer, but this is a statement I found on the Tirerack website. Now in this case they are talking about snow, not dirt or mud. But would wonder if it would still apply.

Priorities for Sizing Winter Tires Are Different
Does your sports car, coupe or sedan use wide, low profile tires that are mounted on large diameter wheels? Or does your light truck use large flotation-sized tires? If you're going to drive through lots of snow this year you'll want your winter tires and wheels in sizes that help put the laws of physics on your side.

A wide, low profile or large tire has to "plow" a wide path through snow which causes more resistance. The narrower the tire, the easier you can get through snow.

narrow is good when you need to get through mud or snow down to something more solid (be it the road or more solid earth). but if you are wheeling in the really deep stuff (especially snow), you need flotation which is what a wide tire will give you.

for playing on the rocks and general wheeling, I think a middle of the road tire (11"-12.5") does the trick.

 

[LINY4Runner]

where's Ulfr and his balloon tires? :lol:

 

[LINY4Runner]

OEM sucks Bryan

since when is a 12.5" wide tire OEM?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I'm sure you've seen this but just in case you haven't it's a great read. Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

Thank-you for posting in polls, I'm going to move it for a few days to Perf Zone for a few days to see if we can get more action on the thread.


I like 'em tall and skinny

 

[JohnsD90]

I'm sure you've seen this but just in case you haven't it's a great read. Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

Thank-you for posting in polls, I'm going to move it for a few days to Perf Zone for a few days to see if we can get more action on the thread.


I like 'em tall and skinny

I concur.

 

[Will_4R]

rock crawling: skinny
water crossing: skinny
snow or mud or sand where depth does not exeed axle height: skinny
snow or mud or sand where depth exeeds axle height: wide

Skinnies will be easier to fit with fewer modifications.

 

[BlairB]

I'm sure you've seen this but just in case you haven't it's a great read. Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel

Thank-you for posting in polls, I'm going to move it for a few days to Perf Zone for a few days to see if we can get more action on the thread.


I like 'em tall and skinny

I was going to link this exact same article, as many said it depends, but for most situations- skinny.

I am looking at 255/80/17 for my next tire.

rock crawling: skinny
water crossing: skinny
snow or mud or sand where depth does not exeed axle height: skinny
snow or mud or sand where depth exeeds axle height: wide

Skinnies will be easier to fit with fewer modifications.

:iagree:

 

[4RBob]

rock crawling: skinny
water crossing: skinny
snow or mud or sand where depth does not exeed axle height: skinny
snow or mud or sand where depth exeeds axle height: wide

Skinnies will be easier to fit with fewer modifications.

i agree mostly, but IMO a skinny tire is not going to have the same kind of sidewall bite that you sometimes need for rock crawling or mixed bag wheeling (rocks/roots/slippery). it also won't protect the rim/bead like a medium width tire will do. that's why i like at least 11".

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I am looking at 255/80/17 for my next tire.
:iagree:

That's exactly how I'd want to get into the 33"+ class.


I wish Tenguns would chime in with an update, he went with the 235/80/17's on his rig. Looked great, no rubbing, lots of room for tire chains (which he needs).

 

[4RBob]

my experiences have been with wheeling Jeeps (TJ Rubi with 33x12's, 35x12.5's, JK Rubi Unlimited 32x10's for now). rubbing isn't AS much of an issue on a Jeep. however, if we are discussing tire widths based on rubbing issues, that is different than discussing tire widths based on traction.

i don't really wheel the 4Runner, but i think a 285 is wide enough on it.

i like the looks of tall skinnies on old Jeeps and Toyota's. it just looks right.

 

[trd_4runnin]

rock crawling: skinny
water crossing: skinny
snow or mud or sand where depth does not exeed axle height: skinny
snow or mud or sand where depth exeeds axle height: wide

Skinnies will be easier to fit with fewer modifications.

Why skinny for rock crawling? What advantages would a skinny tire provide over a wider tire?

Honestly, I think there are times when one is better than the other if you are talking about a 10" wide tire vs. a 15" wide tire, but if you are talking about a 255, or 265 vs. a 285 I think the only place you will find a substantial difference is fitment. It always cracks me up though how so many people are all of the sudden on the whole skinny tire kick, then show up to off road and air down to increase your contact patch. That makes a lot of sense....

Also, lets all keep in mind the Poll doesn't say which is better overall, or which is easier to fit... it says which offers MAXIMUM OFF ROAD TRACTION

 

[Will_4R]

Rock crawling is probably debatable. Airing down for rock crawling helps the tire conform to irregularities in the ground surface. The argument for skinny (see Chris's link) is that the wider tire spreads out the load reducing the amount of "bite" the tire has on irregularites. In practice I don't know how much this matters.

 

[jujew]

It always cracks me up though how so many people are all of the sudden on the whole skinny tire kick, then show up to off road and air down to increase your contact patch. That makes a lot of sense....

I run 255/85 16 in the KM2 flavor and love the performance of the skinny tire. Lighter weight and better clearance and breaking. As far as airing down.... I do not air down to widen the contact patch, I air down to LENGTHEN the contact patch.

Overall it is a personal preference and my vote is clear!

Here is a video from this weekend at the Toyota Jamboree. I went up this clim in just over a minute and the guy behind me did it in over 4 minutes and he was running 35s on an older FJ Cruiser.
YouTube - 4runner on Barnwell MVI_3115.MOV