How can I find out the "tread" width?

[HavockWK]

How can I find out the actual tread width of a tire without physically measuring it myself? For example, the stock SE/LE Goodyear 265's have the same tread width as my stock OR BFG 285's. Thought the 285/265 number was supposed to be the tread width in millimeters, but obviously not. If ti were true, then there would be a 20mm difference in the width, but when I measured them, there is 1/16" difference in width.

Using this conversin calculator: http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm I found that the tread on my 285/70-17 Rugged Trails are only 220.663mm wide compared to the 265/70-18 Goodyear's 219.075mm treadwidth. The actual tread measurements I took in inches were 8 5/8" for the Goodyears and 8 11/16" for the BFG's.

Now my purpose in this is that the Nitto's are a much wider tread at the same "treadwidth" than some other tires. When Wraith put some 265/75-16 Terra Grapplers on the front of his Z71, they were way wider than his 265/75-16 Goodyears that were on the rear. If I have a problem getting the Terra Grapplers when I need tires, I want to make sure I get a tire that is wider in tread than th BFG's.

Thanks!

[QWIKWHIP]

Originally Posted by HavockWK

How can I find out the actual tread width of a tire without physically measuring it myself? For example, the stock SE/LE Goodyear 265's have the same tread width as my stock OR BFG 285's. Thought the 285/265 number was supposed to be the tread width in millimeters, but obviously not. If ti were true, then there would be a 20mm difference in the width, but when I measured them, there is 1/16" difference in width.

Using this conversin calculator: http://www.worldwidemetric.com/metcal.htm I found that the tread on my 285/70-17 Rugged Trails are only 220.663mm wide compared to the 265/70-18 Goodyear's 219.075mm treadwidth. The actual tread measurements I took in inches were 8 5/8" for the Goodyears and 8 11/16" for the BFG's.

Now my purpose in this is that the Nitto's are a much wider tread at the same "treadwidth" than some other tires. When Wraith put some 265/75-16 Terra Grapplers on the front of his Z71, they were way wider than his 265/75-16 Goodyears that were on the rear. If I have a problem getting the Terra Grapplers when I need tires, I want to make sure I get a tire that is wider in tread than th BFG's.

Thanks!

Actually you are misinterpreting the tires spec number. The first number is not thread width, it's the section width. Section width is the widest part of the tires sidewall. So that being said, as you noticed, there can be a wide variation in actual thread width. Also, the section width that the manufacturer uses is based on a "measured rim". So for example, brand X measures there tire on an 8" wide rim and gets 265, brand Y measures there tire on a 9" wide rim and gets the same 265. Now take brand X's tire and measure it on a 9" rim and it would be wider, and brand Y's tire on an 8" rim and it would be narrower. See what I'm saying? Hopefully that makes a little sense.

[HavockWK]

Originally Posted by QWIKWHIP

Actually you are misinterpreting the tires spec number. The first number is not thread width, it's the section width. Section width is the widest part of the tires sidewall. So that being said, as you noticed, there can be a wide variation in actual thread width. Also, the section width that the manufacturer uses is based on a "measured rim". So for example, brand X measures there tire on an 8" wide rim and gets 265, brand Y measures there tire on a 9" wide rim and gets the same 265. Now take brand X's tire and measure it on a 9" rim and it would be wider, and brand Y's tire on an 8" rim and it would be narrower. See what I'm saying? Hopefully that makes a little sense.

OK, thanks for that answer. Freakin stupid tire people! (not you Quickwhip, the people who make stupid measurements)

So what about the original question: How can I find out the actual tread width of a tire without physically measuring it myself?

[K-MU]

Originally Posted by HavockWK

OK, thanks for that answer. Freakin stupid tire people! (not you Quickwhip, the people who make stupid measurements)

So what about the original question: How can I find out the actual tread width of a tire without physically measuring it myself?

Some tire companies show the info of their tires: overall, diameter, section width, thread width, thread depth weight, rim size suggested, etc, etc, see the following link...


http://www.procomptires.com/xterrain1.html

[ptgarcia]

Originally Posted by HavockWK

OK, thanks for that answer. Freakin stupid tire people! (not you Quickwhip, the people who make stupid measurements)

So what about the original question: How can I find out the actual tread width of a tire without physically measuring it myself?

You really can't, there are just too many variables. Rim widths, air pressure, tread design, they all play a part in the actual footprint of the tire. If the listed widths aren't accurate enough it's time to bust out your measuring tape.

[HavockWK]

Originally Posted by ptgarcia

You really can't, there are just too many variables. Rim widths, air pressure, tread design, they all play a part in the actual footprint of the tire. If the listed widths aren't accurate enough it's time to bust out your measuring tape.

That's just dumb. They have a set width for the tread from shoulder to shoulder that doesn't change with rim width. Why should I be stuck looking at 2 different 285mm "section width" tires that have a 2" difference in actual tread width? It's bullsh*t I tell ya!

At least I know to stay away from the BFG's because their 285's are way too narrow. The Terra Grapplers and Geolanders on the otherhand are nice and wide. Real tread baby! I just need an easy way to be able to tell when I'm looking on the web, or don't have a measuring tape with me.

[ptgarcia]

What size/sizes of tire are you looking for? Maybe you can post a few options and dudes like me can measure their particular setup? Would this help you out?

[HavockWK]

Well, the BFG 285's are barely over 8.5" wide at the tread. I have never laid eyes on the 295 Terra Grapplers, but I know that the 265 Terra Grapplers are about the same (maybe a hair wider) than my BFG 285's. I put my hands on some 285 Geolanders (on an Excursion) the other night and they are about 2" wider than my tires. That would make their tread width about 10.5".

I think I would like a tire with about 10" - 11" treadwidth. I don't care how wide the sidewall will pillow out when the pressure is low, just how much rubber is contacting the ground.

[Altimat]

Almost all tire manufacturers' websites list all their tire specs.