That's kind of what I was thinking. There are so many variables. We'd have to reduce it to a scientific study and control for all variables other than the tire width. Otherwise, it's another day on Pinks. Man do those guys play poker or what?

So, who's round is it? Make mine a Guiness.


Back OT . . . . If I were coordinating an expedition I'd choose wichever tire would work best on my vehicle for it's fully loaded weight in whatever conditions I'd likely encounter taking into consideration limiting breakdowns, the potential resources for spares and the desires of my generous sponsor (which may after all be me) however inconsistent those are with my actual expedition goals. Oh, and on an expedition I'm probably not trying to break any records or beat someone. So, potential speed is only a consideration in making distance goals in the alloted time . . . . or outrunning hungry animals and violent insurgents.

So, as several have pointed out, you see the size tires that you do on expedition rigs because someone weighed all the factors and made the call which seems to be more often for a skinny tire rather than a fat one.

 

Sorry. Didn't mean to come off all confontational. Anyway, I agree there are jsut to many factors in what we were comparing. Anyway...back OT...

I'm also in the (very slow) process of building an expeditionary rig. 255/85R16 (about 33.4"x10") seems to be a very common size. I think one of the reasons the 255/85 is common for expedition vehicles is the fact they they are a commercial tire size, meaning they should be more readily availble than some exotic sizes. Even so, I wonder what the "skinny" tire size is for 35's. Someday, perhaps, my rig will run Long Travel and have skinny 35s on it.

 

SuperSwamper makes a 35x10.50

 

Thanks. I think I've only ever seen one type of skinny larger tire...and it looks liek those Super Swampers. I think 4RocRunner92 is running them (Well...TSLs...same diff.). I don't think I've ever seen a tall and narow A/T. Either way, 255/85 seems to be the go-to tire for expedition.

 

Thinner tires are also more economical on the road, less rolling resistance. i assume that has something to do with why there are dual wheel trucks, 2 thin tires ride better and last longer than one wide one.

I have always preferred a skinny tire to a wide one. I will proabably get 33x10.50s next time I'm due for tires if I decide to go up a size. A friend of mine is gonna get 12.50's and I just don't think they look good. They're not tall enough to be that wide. 35 is the smallest a 12.50 tire should be.

 

No worries Doc. Yeah Bob, the Cummins Turbo Diesel guys love the tall skinny tire thing for low rolling resistance and load carrying capacity. They use 19.5" x 7.5" wheels and commercial type tires like this:

http://www.ricksontruck.com/wheels_dodge_srw.html