Tires - Quick opinions

[AstraX]

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!

[JackstandJohnny]

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.

[vantagetes]

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?

[tubby]

I want a pony

The poor pony is gonna have a sore back !

[AstraX]

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.  

[vantagetes]

The poor pony is gonna have a sore back !

I almost spit my coffee on my keyboard 

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!

[silverfox]

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.

[JackstandJohnny]

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' 

[vantagetes]

You could just say they are 35"s anyways and be $370 richer 

[AstraX]

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.

  

[hps4evr]

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.

[cLAY]

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.

[FiEND]

if the 35 are 10 ply then that would end my debate.

[AstraX]

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.

[w squared]

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.