Tire Size Logic

CapnDean

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L6060,ZD1211
Feb 22, 2018
184
3
18
Gulfport, MS USA
I am considering a wider tire for the front of my L6060.

I currently have 10-16.5 R4 tires on the front and 17.5-24 R4 on the rear.

Have always heard the stupid question is the one that is not asked soo.....

Would a 12-16.5 be 2 inches wider than the 10-16.5?

I am assuming that the 12-16.5 would fit my wheel, I just don't want to anger the 4WD Gods by increasing the diameter.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
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113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
I don't think a tire 2" wider will fit on the rim....at least not properly.

tire sizes area mystery to me...
I have 2 'boat trailer ' tires here, same size 5.8-12 on same rim...
one is TALLER than the other ! More than an inch TALLER and yes ,same 40# pressure in them......
the ONLY difference is the MFR.......

meanwhile my spreader use 6-12 tires and I have a pair of brand new Firestone 5-12s sitting here....
sigh....

The MFR of the tires should post what rim they fit...
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
More than likely the 12-16.5 will be taller too, and as GreensvilleJay pointed out you would need different rims, and yes you would need larger rear tires too. :eek:
 

Treckerzeug

Member

Equipment
Carraro tgf 7800 taijfun 4,5 t winch, trailer with crane, double bl saw
Apr 17, 2015
135
19
18
Bavaria South Germany
indeed: 12-16.5's are 2" greater in diameter. Is that significant enough to endanger 4WD?
Hello,
Indeed, the 12,5 are by far larger,

The old tyre sizes are simple,
First no width in inches, second diameter of the rim in inches
The height of the tyre is twice the width,
So you add 4 inches in diameter,
That means the front wheels would turn by far faster and pull the rears,
One should never ever only change the fronts on a 4 wd, you would have to compare the circumference of the old tyres front to rear and find a combo by 1-2% close with same ratio of front to rear circumference,

New tyre sizes are e.g
205/70r 16
With in mm, ratio height to width 70% and diameter of the rim

Regards

Robert