 | Home > Wheels & Tyres > Tyre Widths - What difference does it make? |
 
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| stevie d Member Since: 09 Nov 2009 Location: Bishops Stortford Posts: 342   
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I've recently bought a Defender and very pleased so far
It has 235/85 AT tyres on heavy duty Wolf rims - which seem to do a good job both on and off road (green laning). In the near future I want to get some muds, probably as a second set/ mayby the only set. Everyone seems to go for the widest tyres possible up to 265 or even 285's with standard suspension. The question is: What difference do wider tyres makes in reality or is it just for looks? Come on all you knowledgeable folks 
Steve. Defender 90 TD5 Station Wagon Discovery 3 HSE BMW 330i Coupe |
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22nd Mar 2010 8:54pm |
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| fekete Member Since: 24 Dec 2008 Location: Here on the other end of the computer Posts: 3626 
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Wide tires offer looks which many people like. Beyond looks, wide tires are used where flotation and stability is desired. Narrow tires are used where traction, primarily in muddy conditions, is desired.
 NEVER TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY. NOBODY GETS OUT ALIVE ANYWAY |
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22nd Mar 2010 9:19pm |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897  
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...and it affects your steering lock.
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22nd Mar 2010 9:20pm |
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| diesel_jim Member Since: 13 Oct 2008 Location: hiding Posts: 6103 
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...Unless you've got wheel spacers or wide offset rims. trouble is, big wide tyres make the side of your truck look like a mud pond the first puddle you go through. I used to have 35's on my 90... I could never see to the left or right unless it was dry terrain. 255/85's are an ideal size. slightly wider than a 235, but not silly wide, and a bit taller, but not in the realms of 35" territory, but enough to give you an advantage off road. They handle well on the road too. |
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22nd Mar 2010 9:34pm |
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| alantd Member Since: 14 Dec 2008 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 1513 
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<pssssst> That's the sound of you opening a can of worms
As above: Wide = flotation (good for sand and deep snow). Narrow = sinking in and possibly finding some traction lower down. Wide (285 and above) will reduce your steering lock so you'd need spacers. You'll also put more strain on your half shafts and general drivetrain. Some folks have never had a problem and they look pretty aggressive if that's what you're after. Narrower (265 and below) will probably suit what you're doing better, however. 235, 255 and 265 are probably your best bet. If you've got 235s already then try a set of 265. That'll give you a bit more width for the look and flotation for softer stuff (not tearing up fields) but still give you some bite in the gloop. You can also fit 265s to standard 7" wheels. One that started out as a 2.4 TDCi 110 XS + New Defender 110 First Edition |
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22nd Mar 2010 9:55pm |
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610 
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Atlantd agree 100% about the can o' worms..... I am indeed no expert and the following is based on opinion and as such I may be wrong and apologise in advance.... The sun is shining and I do not wish to appear objectional or argue with anyone today....Atlantd I have no axe to grind and wish to offer my hand in friendship and not antagonise you in any way, shape or form....
Here goes ....
Steering lock may not be affected at all dependant on wheel offset.... as with spacers they too may not be needed dependant on offset....With regards to half shaft and drivetrain strain surely this is dependant on exactly how much of your wide tyre is in hard 'road/ground contact?' As with motorcycle tyres (ideal example) you can have a really wide tyre but only a small percentage has contact with the road due to the oval profile of the tyre?....My Coopers are an ideal example as I would say that they have less hard road/ground contact than standard tyres and thus possibly less strain/friction upon drivetrain/half shafts than normal OEM tyre fitment maybe.... I put wider wheels/tyres on unashamedly to obtain 'the look' I was after....Because I can... and am more than happy with the end result....MOT inspector may have a different view however....We shall see in a little over 14 months time.... Just added this bit after posting.....Does a bigger offset cause extra drivetrain/half shaft strain due to the 'stance' of the vehicle and downward load bearing? I think I may see your point Atlantd.... Let peace and tranquility prevail..... Struggle....Struggle....Need to get lid back on I think...  If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!
Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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23rd Mar 2010 8:44am |
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| alantd Member Since: 14 Dec 2008 Location: Northamptonshire Posts: 1513
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What!?!! I'm outraged
How could you?!  Grrrrr Rant rant Grrrrrrr
Oh, hang on - you're probably right
The sun is trying hard to shine in London, my cargo barrier is fixed and all's well with the world
I never take offense - even when it's intended - and usually I'm wrong so I've learned the value of respecting other people's opinion. One that started out as a 2.4 TDCi 110 XS + New Defender 110 First Edition |
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23rd Mar 2010 9:07am |
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610
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Atlantd excellent retort, clearly defined, well presented and finely executed! Wot no fighting???? 
 Happy days - Clocks go forward this weekend yippee! If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!
Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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23rd Mar 2010 9:16am |
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| ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328
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So Iam now gettingup at 03:00 Merd Merd
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23rd Mar 2010 9:22am |
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610
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Ken,
You'll be hitting the pit an hour earlier though to offset the width of your day! A good night's kip will prevent you from looking wheely spaced out! ON topic and on cue I think!  If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!
Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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23rd Mar 2010 9:51am |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8086  
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235.85s (31" high) work well with a std vehicle, if you dont do alot of towing or hilly work then 255.85s (33" high) you will get away with no problem.
265.75s = same height as a 235.85s - better on road handling but not so good in the gloop as described above as quite wide. For UK conditions 235s or 255s have always worked well for me less competitions. If you go wider than IIRC 265 it wont go on a std LR rim rim which means you also need offset rims or spacers to maintain the steering lock or live with less lock. Moving the wheel further out from the stub will put more strain on bearings. CVs if the lock is the same wont be affected through the angle, but the shock loading if off road and suddenly stopping is increased with bigger diameter tyres over stock. i run 235.85s Tracedge on my 110 255.85 MTs on my truck cab 265.75 ATS on our training vehicle. plus have a set of 35.10.50.16 Fedimas for comps Cheers James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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23rd Mar 2010 10:11am |
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| Cibit Member Since: 26 Oct 2009 Location: Northumberland Posts: 424 
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And I thought your indecipherable posts where cause you where 
I get up at 04.30 but the upside is you get afternoons to write drivel on forums and watch movies
59 2.4 110 XS Utility
55 TD5 110 CSW Special Vehicle |
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23rd Mar 2010 2:41pm |
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| ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328
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Nah it will be lighter so more fitting toy time |
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23rd Mar 2010 3:10pm |
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610
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Ken,
Wot Lights at £1000 a pair???? Next time you go on a bank raid take me with......  If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!
Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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23rd Mar 2010 3:15pm |
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