It was cases would you like the thinner tire (9.5)?

Not sure I understand the question, but here goes:

The narrower tire would be better for mud & snow. Would also be less likely to follow grooves on the highway.

The wider tire would do better on sand & would likely handle curves better on-road.

No comment on rocks since I don't play that game :)

TEX

This is what i was looking for.

I'm gonna disagree with Tex a bit on this one....

IMO, anything narrower than a 12.5 wide tire will dig too quickly in snow. You need some flotation while still reducing your tendency to plow snow with the tires. Too skinny and you find the bottom too quickly. Radials generally kick ass over bias, but drop enuf air pressure and it's negligible.

Same for mud. If you are running thinner/goopier mud and don't have to worry as much about ruts and a center hump, then a thin tire rocks. However, if you need flotation and pure propulsion ability, a wide tire will work better. Thicker mud = wider tire to help keep you on top. Racing is generally a narrow tire sport since the mud is generally fairly consistent across the track, and you want the bottom for traction...but even that varies with the track. Buckshots rock in mud since they combine the best of both....deep lugs, narrower width, and a continuous center chevron...the center keeps you on top with speed, the tire can dig at slower speeds, and they toss LOTS of mud with those lugs.

Width is everything on sand. And, in some types of snow, the same holds true. I've watched 39.5 boggers fight a hill following 31x10.5's...and the next obstacle, the opposite happens.

Narrower is definitely better on the road.

Rocks - depends on your trails. I like wider personally, tho your contact pressure gets reduced. The 9.5 vs 11.5 is not a huge deal, but if you have very tight trails, you may have fitting issues. also, turning is shorter and easier with a narrow tire.

IMO, see what yer buddies run and the types of trails they run and what works. No tire is perfect for any situation, and driving style will effect how a tire works as much as the terrain.

Originally posted by woody
I'm gonna disagree with Tex a bit on this one....

IMO, anything narrower than a 12.5 wide tire will dig too quickly in snow. You need some flotation while still reducing your tendency to plow snow with the tires. Too skinny and you find the bottom too quickly.

We don't get enough snow here that finding the bottom is a problem, so that's the reason for my pick of pizza cutters.


Same for mud. If you are running thinner/goopier mud and don't have to worry as much about ruts and a center hump, then a thin tire rocks. However, if you need flotation and pure propulsion ability, a wide tire will work better.

True, however we've found that pure "propulsion" doesn't happen with the average 4x4. If you have 800+HP & less than 3,500lbs, yes. Otherwise, there is no such thing as floatation, you just sink slower & don't get as far as fast. We run in mud that's generally deep enough that everyone in competition gets stuck. Q78's absolutely SPANK 35" Boggers in this environment.

Thicker mud = wider tire to help keep you on top.

The thick stuff is the WORST time to have a wide tire. Wide tires have to push the mud out of the way & the thick stuff doesn't move too well.

TEX

I guess I've watched too many guys running sammi's and wide tires in the mud to fully believe in the skinny tire theory....

Personally, I'm always hated mud (hence the website...lol) and I tend to be the type who idles in and granny's until the winch is needed. No getting stuck, very little cleanup required, and I've shocked a lot of people when I work thru a hole versus powering thru.

True on pushing mud...guess it's up to the driver to chose between pushing mud or sinking to the bottom! lol

Originally posted by woody
I guess I've watched too many guys running sammi's and wide tires in the mud to fully believe in the skinny tire theory....


Ahhhhh, but those Sammi's are even more impressive on 34X9.50's ;)

FWIW, when I was new to the mud bogging scene, I thought the guys on pizza cutters were nuts. And most of the guys I know on pizza cutters are just like me - former fat-tire guys. Prior to Q78's I had 38X12.50's & before that, 38.5X16's on 15X15" rims :eek:

TEX

Originally posted by woody
I guess I've watched too many guys running sammi's and wide tires in the mud to fully believe in the skinny tire theory....


Sami's exist outside the realm of normal physics. :D

On a small, light vehicle wide tires can work with less horsepower, but on a really heavy truck, you'll need more grunt under the hood if wide tires are used. And taller, too, since it's inevitable that you'll sink deeper....

I have run both...and live in the snow.......and I only do mud when I cant avoid the stuff......for all around use the pizza cutter is the way to go.......http://a7.cpimg.com/image/39/F1/6959417-eba2-02000180-.jpg



when climbing the give you better griphttp://a0.cpimg.com/image/00/EF/6959360-6a8e-01800200-.jpg

yep my pizza cutters have served me well http://a3.cpimg.com/image/C5/71/6812613-52b5-025801C2-.jpg

I hvae run the Big O XT 33x9.5 for years and havent had any problems with them except for road wear

BTW....does anyone make a 33x11.5 tire?:confused:

Originally posted by NothernAZxj
BTW....does anyone make a 33x11.5 tire?:confused:

Not for 15" rim. Closest is an LT285/75R16, which works out to the equivalent of 33X11.25.

TEX

..My buddy has a set of the new 33x10.5x15 Bfg Mud Km's on his XJ...They kick some major ass...I was impressed ..They tuck nicely in the fenders too!!...Hes doing some more trimming and selling the BFG's to go to some 36x12.5x15 TSL SX's...So these tires are for sale....He's trying to get $650 For all 5 under 500 miles( spare never used!!!)...He might go cheaper....Probally?....email him for pics..... autospa@uneedspeed.net