Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: AstraX on February 16, 2011, 12:37:49 PM

Title: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: AstraX on February 16, 2011, 12:37:49 PM
I am looking for some quick opinions and don't want this to turn into another debate thread (there are enough of those) about which tires are better or what they are being put on.  :)

So lets make the assumption that the tires will fit the vehicle and the only thing to take into consideration is a price/size value.

I am looking at two options:

35/12.50R18 and 295/70R18.  There is a price difference of $74 per tire.  Is it worth the $74 to get an extra 3/4" of height and some extra width?

I do understand that there is a certain amount of personal preference that comes into this stuff, but I don't have any experience with purchasing large tires so I want to see if you more experienced wheelers feel there is value in it.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: JackstandJohnny on February 16, 2011, 12:45:57 PM
I am looking for some quick opinions and don't want this to turn into another debate thread (there are enough of those) about which tires are better or what they are being put on.  :)

well, I want a pony, but we don't always get what we want............. 

Goodyear duratracs for winter driving/waiparous wheeling
Toyo MTs are very good
Goodyear MTR/Kevlars, another good MT

all expensive, all worth the $$$$$

if you can fit the 35, run it. bigger tires are cooler.
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: vantagetes on February 16, 2011, 12:47:56 PM
I don't think they are looking for tire model recommendations, they have already priced out the tire they want...

IMO for 3/4" higher and just under and inch in width (less than half an inch on each side of the rim) $300 extra dollars ($370 if you're getting a spare) isn't worth it. Are these prices for the exact same tire?
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: tubby on February 16, 2011, 12:52:43 PM
I want a pony

The poor pony is gonna have a sore back !
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: AstraX on February 16, 2011, 12:55:01 PM
Ok Johnny if you must start it up...The tires are the Nitto Trail Grappler.

I was looking at the Goodyear's, but I have a buddy that can get me a good discount on the Nitto's (and I like the looks of them better).

vantagetes, so yes, same tire just two different sizes.  
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: vantagetes on February 16, 2011, 01:01:03 PM
The poor pony is gonna have a sore back !

I almost spit my coffee on my keyboard  ;D

vantagetes, so yes, same tire just two different sizes.  

Yeah if the only thing you're gaining is that little teeny tiny bit I wouldn't drop an extra $370 on them. You could stand the two tires side by side and wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Heck taking a poop before you go wheeling could make up the little bit of ride height if you're getting that picky!
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: silverfox on February 16, 2011, 01:03:28 PM
Bigger tires more rolling resistance so less power (noticeable on what you are talking doubtful) also heavier so will effect fuel use if you care.

Bigger will have a larger footprint when you air it down for offroad use so will provide more and better traction in mud, sand and rock crawling............snow is debatable (I would say that depending on the snow conditions performance would vary)  A bigger footprint will be more prone to hydroplaning on wet roads.

Bigger means bigger sidewalls so more rim protection, less likelihood of rock rash on your rims.

Heavier on your spare rack as well so you would likely want to reinforce it.

In my mind 35's look better but that is a personal preference thing (assuming you are going to lift it to accommodate either)

Narrow tire will be better on highway and less likely to follow tracks, one huge difference I noticed in going from 32 to 35's was how the 35's like to follow the road/trail contours more.

Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: JackstandJohnny on February 16, 2011, 01:25:09 PM
i'm impartial to the tire you run ;)  you should have mentioned ur runnin nittos. but i'd still say bigger tires are cooler.  anything bigger than stock is gonna kill gas mileage/etc.  so why not say you have 35s instead of 'almost 35s'  ;)

Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: vantagetes on February 16, 2011, 01:28:50 PM
You could just say they are 35"s anyways and be $370 richer  :P
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: AstraX on February 16, 2011, 01:40:25 PM
I just want there to be some value in it for me and yes I understand that is a bit of an oxymoron when it comes to jeeps/modifications.  What I am trying to weigh in on is if the $370 is worth the extra size, or would that be better used towards something else...which there are plenty of other things I would like to do.

  
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: hps4evr on February 16, 2011, 07:16:16 PM
well, if you're looking at tires for 18" wheels, then its either for a big heavy truck where the bigger the better makes sense, or for the stock rims on a jk. and since this is a jeep forum im gonna go with the jk. the trail grapplers have had good reviews from the mags and from those that use them. but they are heavy due to the 8 or 10 ply design. so if these are going on a jk, then id go with the cheaper and slightly smaller tire. due to it is a little narrower and will fit the rim width better, little bit lighter and its cheaper. thats my thoughts on it. if this is the tire you'll use.
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: cLAY on February 16, 2011, 08:41:13 PM
Do they have the same load rating? Higher load ratings means beefier sidewalls but a heavier tire. I beat on my tires pretty hard so I opt for the heaviest sidewalls I can. If you daily drive it and only mildly-moderate offroad you may want a lighter tire.
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: FiEND on February 17, 2011, 04:16:26 AM
if the 35 are 10 ply then that would end my debate.
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: AstraX on February 17, 2011, 09:31:12 AM
For the life of me I can't find it now, but I am pretty sure I read somewhere that all the Trail Grappler's are 10 ply.
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: w squared on February 18, 2011, 06:59:48 AM
What is the load roating on each of the sizes that you are considering? "D"? "E"?

You need to pay attention to tire pressures running an "E" rated tire on a 4000 pound jeep...but it can work pretty well if you do it right.
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: AstraX on February 18, 2011, 10:23:26 AM
They are all "E" rated.
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: AstraX on February 22, 2011, 03:07:26 PM
For anyone interested...read this today.

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/wheels/154_1104_nitto_trail_grappler_mud_terrain_tires/index.html (http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/wheels/154_1104_nitto_trail_grappler_mud_terrain_tires/index.html)

This is the first mag review I have seen on them.  I may have to re-think this for myself...not ready for beadlocks yet...
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: vantagetes on February 22, 2011, 06:04:06 PM
Whoooo 78lbs each isn't gonna be too nice on your axles either! Problem with stupid E rated tires is they are made for 1 ton trucks. Problem with stupid 1 ton trucks is all the good tires are made for them!
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: Spinalguy on February 22, 2011, 06:10:28 PM
i run them on my 3/4 ton Dodge. LOVE them onroad. Winter ice and hard pack is no match for these bad boys. i LOVE them ;D

As for a jeep, why do you need beadlocks for them? i have never had beadlocks and have always aired down between 7 and 12psi for 10 wheeling years.
The Toyo OC MT is just as heavy and i ran them on my jeep in 37 flavor with 7-10psi....no problems ever.
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: AstraX on February 22, 2011, 06:32:26 PM
I just state beadlocks because of what they said in the article.  This is where my level of noob shows through...I don't have anything to reference it against so I go by what I read.

So on that note, when are beadlocks recommended?
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: vantagetes on February 22, 2011, 06:41:43 PM
When you become an expert on reseating tire beads because you keep blowing them off!  ;D

It depends a lot on your rim width vs tire width to be honest, and again on sidewall flexibility etc. There's no set number as every variable (engine power, braking performance, driving style, trail conditions) changes the game completely!

I'd worry about getting your rig built and getting some wheeling in before you get too concerned about ultra low pressures and beadlocks. If you're that worried start at a higher pressure and slowly work your way down until you have problems. Losing a bead is why you have a spare, and go with friends!
Title: Re: Tires - Quick opinions
Post by: silverfox on February 22, 2011, 08:49:43 PM
I run 10lbs on my Hancook DynaPro's without any issues at all, I think I could probably drop a pound or two yet and still be fine.  Only one way to find out and reseating a bead on the trail is not that hard   .................... is it Kev ::)