Tire size and off-road flotation
5 posts
How Tire Width Affects Flotation on Sand, Starting With the Sidewall Numbers
How tire width affects flotation on sand, explained from the sidewall numbers: section width, aspect ratio, rim size, load index, contact patch and pressure.
Choosing Tire Size for Rock Crawling: From Sidewall Numbers to Real-World Fit
How to choose a tire size for rock crawling: read sidewall markings, calculate sidewall height and diameter, and see how size changes clearance, gearing and fit.
How Tire Size Affects Ground Pressure and Flotation on Soft Terrain
How sidewall numbers translate into tire width, diameter and contact patch, and why bigger tires improve flotation mainly by allowing lower inflation pressure.
How Tire Diameter Affects Ground Clearance and Obstacle Clearance
How to read the sidewall numbers, calculate overall tire diameter, and estimate how much ground clearance and obstacle clearance bigger tires add, plus the limits.
Narrow vs Wide Tires in Mud: What the Sidewall Numbers Tell You
Narrow or wide tires for mud? Learn to read the sidewall size, calculate diameter and circumference, and see how mud depth, ground pressure and tread pattern decide which works better.