Thread: Tyre Width

Doesn't cost much to make all modifications legally and certified either...

Hysterically. Many (not all) of these big lift, big tyre, big flex mods actually make the vehicle less capable, less drivable, less reliable.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Doesn't cost much to make all modifications legally and certified either...

Hysterically. Many (not all) of these big lift, big tyre, big flex mods actually make the vehicle less capable, less drivable, less reliable.

And legal or not, they draw the crabs.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Doesn't cost much to make all modifications legally and certified either...

Hysterically. Many (not all) of these big lift, big tyre, big flex mods actually make the vehicle less capable, less drivable, less reliable.

Yeah, it's the monster truck disease we've imported from the USA. Bigger is not necessarily better.

Thanks for all the replies guys. As always a wealth of knowledge is to be had on this forum.
As you can see from my profile pic, my disco runs pretty standard sized tyres. Just sussing out what is legal etc.

Definitely agree that big mods often make a vehicle less reliable. That's the reason for the difference you see with weekend toys versus rigs built for touring.

Funny story here actually. A few years ago we were way out bush in an unmodified 2WD station wagon and came across a long slippery muddy stretch of track. At the same time a big lifted 4WD with big tyres rocked up to drive the section also. We slowly puttered across the stretch of mud in our station wagon, picking good lines, putting wheels on harder bits for traction etc - made it across easily. It was quite a look on the other blokes face! Then the big 4WD had a shot with big fat tyres. He floored it, wheels spinning, slid sideways, this way then that, almost slid of the track through lack of control, the mud slowing him right down to the point he only just made it through.

Just another lesson that a heavily modified vehicle doesn't guarantee that you will get places, its the driver too.

Driver mentality has a lot to do with it also, if he took the right line and drove carefully he would do it easy.
Its the heavy boot that gets them undone most of the time.

This whole idea that wider tyres mean the vehicle can 'float over' the terrain just seems to have rocks in it as far as I can see.
Firstly, the vehicle doesn't float over mud or sand because the weight still causes it to sink down.
Secondly, the wider tyre is pushing more sand or mud in front of it, so it's actually harder to proceed.
The better way is for a taller narrow tyre because that gives a longer footprint while minimizing the wall to be pushed, I reckon.
Of course, this is a much-debated topic.

It is a much debated topic. But i always remember seeing Bush Tucker Man drive a massive section of muddy road on one of his episodes with skinny tyres on. Went through no worries! A lot of people these days would think twice before attempting that even with big 35s muddies on...

Originally Posted by Finnius

It is a much debated topic. But i always remember seeing Bush Tucker Man drive a massive section of muddy road on one of his episodes with skinny tyres on. Went through no worries! A lot of people these days would think twice before attempting that even with big 35s muddies on...

I am a fan of pizza cutters.

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