What rim width for my tire?

[JohnnyJ]

Ok, this one has come up a bunch. I see it all the time and the question does not have one definite answer, although some are morer badder than others. [img]smile.gif[/img]

So, do you like skinny rims or fat rims? If you're running 31x10.5s, are you the guys that chooses:

a) 15x7
b) 15x8
c) 15x10
d) what's a rim? [img]smile.gif[/img]

How about 33x12.5s, or 35x12.5s? What's your choice here? Why?

[la mula pescadora]

i have 33 -12.5-15 a/t runing on 8.5 rims i whould like to have 10 inch rims make them look wider and biger

[BOONIERAT]

I'm going with the same size tire (31x1050) on some 15x8 Chevy Blazer rally wheels. Put them on the hub (no tires yet) and the fit nice. Personally, I think that 10" rims make the 1050 bow out to much, but thats just me.
Thanks

[Bob Barry]

I'd second the 15"x8", though a 15"x7" tire would be a good second choice.

[JohnnyJ]

I like my tires on skinny rims. It tends to get the sidewalls to bow out a little and give some protection to the rim.

I currently run 31x10.5s on 15x7s and 33x12.5 and 35x12.5 on 15x8 rims.

[Don S]

JohnnyJ......Mine, in the SIG, are BFG 31x10.5x15" AT on 15x8" and a backspace of 3.5"...Why?? They stuff into the wheel wells OK and good 'nuff and tuff 'nuff for my kind of trails I like to do......... ...ds..

[derf]

Personally, I prefer to read the spec for the tires and shoot for the middle.

For example, most 31x10.50's are supposed to go on a 7-9" wide rim while a 33x12.50 is supposed to go on an 8-10" rim. For the former, I'd choose a 15x8. For the latter, a 15x9 (if I could find it...)

If I can't hit the middle, I'll opt for narrower rims to let the sidewall protect them a little better.

[bchesley]

My own personal opinion is for a 31x10.5 use a 7 inch wheel. This will actuall make it look taller and not affect you tread width. I am running a 33x12.5 on a 10" rim and don't reall like the look but that is my opinion!! If you like the really wide look I have a set of 15x10 black rockcrawlers for sale!!

[Joe J-Truck]

I'd say run as narrow rim as is realistically possible. The narrow rim will help the bead stay seated when aired down in hairball terrain. The drawback to this is that the tire will tend to wear more in the center than the edges. If you drive more on the street, a wider rim makes sense, because it will put a more even tire patch on the pavement, and wear better.
I've talked to alot of guys who run 44x18.5x15 tires on a 15x10 rim and like it. Usually its the guys trying to sell me new rims saying it will never work. The guy I got my 44's from had them on 15x10 steelies, and that's what I plan to be using.
If those big tires are OK for 15x10, I can't see why you'd ever need a wider rim than that.

[CowKiller]

i have 31/10.50's on the stock jeep rims which are eight inch rims. i also heve 33/12.50's on 10 inch rim. the only thing i like with the big rims is that they can have weights on the inside of the tire. the stock rims hit the tierod with the wheel weights.

[gwinn]

I prefer the narrower wheel for the same reason Joe J-Truck mentioned. The tire bead stays seated better when pressuring down. The 10.5" width on a 7" stock wheel, a 12.5" width on an 8" wheel, etc are practical choices if you plan to pressure down when off-roading. If you stay on the pavement or did only mild off-roading, a wider wheel would be adequate. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Jerk]

B) 15x 8s, I have 16x8s and 12x33 on my truck and the tire looks wrong! any tire store will tell you you need your whheels to be at least within 3" of tire width....yeah, right. so why do people run 11.50x32s on 6" wheels? I think the tire store guys say this so the tire doesnt deflect as much sideways when cornereing hard.
D) Rim = edge or outside of wheel. Not the center or "spokes". people interchange these terms like "flex plate" and "fly wheel". not technically correct, but most people understand. If you order a new "fly wheel" for your amc 360 with a th400 tranny, you will be dissapointed at the results, the reverse is true too.
extra point question- 33x12.50, 35s wont fit unless I cut or lift- yuck! -Matt

[ April 07, 2002: Message edited by: Matt W ]</p>

[gwinn]

Actually it was a reputable tire store manager that first convinced me to go with the narrower wheel. Since then I've wheeled with others incl professionals who have backed it up. I haven't yet slipped off the bead (knock on woodgrain) and I've run as low as 13 psi.

[ April 07, 2002: Message edited by: gwinn ]</p>

[Jerk]

thank God, an honest sales person. up here, they just wanna sell wide expensive wheels to go with their wide expensive tires you wanna buy....
More $ in their pocket , less in yours .

[64Trvlr]

I have my 33 X 9.50's on 15 X 7 wheels. They work well, look good and I can air them down to 7-8 PSI.
They're really into ripping you off over here Matt, so I buy my tires and wheels in SLC.