What Size Off-Road Tire Should I Upgrade To?

Wondering how big of an off-road tire you should upgrade to? We discuss off-road tire sizes and the effects of upgrading the tires on your off-road rig.

[redsvn]

Get pizza cutters AKA tall skinny tires if you want truly good off-road performance.

olling Resistance: A narrow tire presents less rolling resistance on improved surfaces, increasing fuel economy and performance.

• Frontal Resistance: This is another key benefit of using a narrow tire. When driving through mud, snow and sand a narrow tire presents less surface area to the medium. A narrow tire will cut easier through mud, snow and sand than a wide one (due to resistance). The best example of this is when turning in sand. When the front tires turn, they present a wider surface to the sand. You can feel speed reduce immediately when a turn is initiated because of the resistance.

• Rotating Mass: A narrower tire weighs less than a wider one of the same height. The difference in weight between a 33x10.5 and 33x12.5 is about 8 pounds, coupled with the narrower, lighter wheel, the effect on rotating mass is significant. A lighter tire and wheel is easier to accelerate and stop.

• Size Fitment: All things being equal, a narrower tire is almost always easier to fit with less fender trimming and total suspension lift that a wider tire of the same height. Wider tires affect turning circle, compression travel (which needs to be limited by lowering the bumpstops, etc.).

• Weight: Without making this an article about suspension, one of the jobs of a properly engineered suspension is to control the cycling of unsprung weight, which is comprised of the axles (control arms, knuckles, etc. in an IFS), tires and wheels. The lighter those assembly's are, the easier it is for the suspension to control it, improving performance.

• Airing Down: This is another critical concept highlighting the advantage of a narrower tire. Airing down a taller tire will not reduce the GC significantly

As quoted from Sahara Overland, a Route and Planning Guide by Chris Scott (2004, ISBN: 1-873756-76-3):
"...Note that it's the diameter or height of the tyres that makes the difference in sand, and not, as many imagine the width... For the desert, you want tyres with a high aspect ratio of around 80 because this represents a taller sidewall so corresponds to added ground clearance when firm, and a longer contact area when deflated"

Traction in soft surfaces: It is a common misconception that airing down a tire for off-road traction only makes the tire contact patch wider. That is not the case. In fact, only 20% of the increased contact comes from the width. 80% of the increased contact patch comes from the tread patch becoming longer. A tall, narrow tire allows for a very long contact patch when aired down. That, coupled with the minimal frontal resistance (area), negates much of the downside to narrow tires in flotation situations. The taller tire allows for a long contact patch and still maintains good ground clearance.

Traction on rocky trails: Another common misconception is that when airing down it is the increased amount of tire on the rock (more contact patch), that allows better traction. It is not the contact patch that creates better traction, but the tires ability to conform to the surface irregularities (deformation and mechanical keying). When an aired down tire comes in contact with a rock on the trail, the tires tread collapses under the vertical and horizontal forces, causing the tire to wrap the rock, as opposed to sitting on top of it. The wrapping effect provides greater shear resistance, and in turn better traction. (Technically: the shear load is distributed over multiple planes, not just a horizontal one).

Tire spring rate: One of the great benefits of airing down a tire is improved smoothness. Less pressure allows the carcass to flex. A taller tire has greater sidewall compression, and in turn a better ride. (expressed as compressive strength=N/mm).

[troyelliott]

2011 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AWD. Summer wheels are 18 inch. The winters are 16 inch. What size should my spare be if I can not buy another to match those sizes.

[dnel]

I have a 1998 toyota 4runner and I need new tires, i was planning on holding off but i figured i might as well get the new tires and wheels i want rather than buy one set now and another later. Would 33’s be okay? I plan on dailying this and want the best of both worlds between good power and gas mileage and a capable offroader

[johnnyhowington]

What size tire can use on a 2018 chevy 4 door 4x4 with 3 inch leveling kit. Rims are 22 inch x 9 inch rims are factory addition rims like on the LTZ trucks. It came with the low profile tires. I want more tire on the same rims. Like a BF Goodrich with letter tire. Any suggestions?

[Decadurabolin]

Hii Josh! Great video! Need some advice. I drive 2018 Nissan Xtrail and the factory Tyre size is 225/65/R17. I would like to upgrade to a bigger size for off road. Kindly let me know about the maximum size I can use it on my car without any alteration. If this is not possible please let me know what should I add to fit bigger tyres.

[nawarashour]

Hello! Great video! I have RAM 1500 with 20” wheels. I don’t want to can’t the wheels or lift it. What max tire size that I can go with safely? My current tires are 275/55/R20. Thank you!

[MrRyanmcmahon]

Can you fit 32's on a stock 2016 GMC canyon slt ( 18 in wheels), with no trimming? thanks

[Raptor-]

35" s broke my balljoints on my 03 yukon denali xl lol

[a.]

What do you think of this size?

235/85 / R16
For Toyota Land Cruiser 100 series
Use it for off-road
Skinny, but rocky

[naseerahmed]

Can I put 20 inch off-road tires on my 20 inch Toyota Limited 4runner?

[davidp]

Thanks for the video. The wheel/rim on your left side with orange trim - company name? Model? I’m in the market for some cool wheel/rims for my gladiator Mojave, thanks!

[ilikelampshades]

Your website doesnt do Toyotas? The Hilux is probably the best selling offroad car in the world yet not listed on website

[vishwamintramnarine]

Looking for Offroad rims for lx470..to run 285/75/16 tires

[felipecardona]

You think I can do 18" size off roads on my 1999 4runner???

[jonathansells]

Would u have to do anything if u went from a 275 55 20 to a 275 60 20 or a 285 55 20

[Seriesfan]

I would like to upgrade my wheels of my outlander sport 2021 but im so new to this

[rodrigogracianodebiasi]

I bought a Yokohama tire, 315 12.5 R17 or 315 70 R17, I'm going to lift the l200 year 2021 in 2 inches and put 38mm front and 32mm rear wheel spacers. Will I have to make some adaptation? Thank you very much!

[MrRta]

Can you do a video about the different drive train components that need to be upgraded because of the added weight

[robertogutierrez]

Hello l have a 2020 Silverado 1500 lt 4x4. I’m planing to use 4” BDS lift kit what size of tires do you recommend on 20x10 wheel

[johnbehneman]

Great video!!!! Great education!!! I learned a lot!!!