Hi all. This may be a stupid question but, is a 31" tire actually 31"? Same question for 32 and 33"
Also, will a 10.5 wide tire fit ok on a 10" rim?
The reason I'm asking about 10.5 on 10" rims is because it seems that new tire stores tell me that with a 10" rim, I have to go to a 11.5 tire. But used tire stores tell me that on 10" rims I can put 10.5 tires on them.
Who is right? Are the new tire sellers telling me 11.5 just to sell me a more expensive tire?
Thanks
Bill

 

You can put 10.5" tires on 10" rims, but they'll look goofy since the outside dimension of the rim will actually be wider than the tire. I would run 10.5s on an 8" rim at most, just for appearance and protecting the rim from rocks.
Most inch size tires are pretty close, but the actual height does vary between manufacturers.

 

Like Ford_Six says you can put 10.5" tires on 10" rims - I've seen it done on some bad advice - but it's not recommended. They'll really squat and the mounted diameter won't be near the 31" stated size. And yes, in most cases the actual tire diameter will be at least a little less than the stated size even mounted on wheels in the recommended width range. To get a good idea of recommended wheel widths and mounted tire diameters (from manufacturers' data) for many common tires take a look at the Tire Rack website.

 

Bill I agree with Mark and Six you don't want 31's on 10" wheels. I posted a couple pictures of 15x8" wheels with 32x11.50's and 10" wheels with 33x12.50's on both sets the tire and wheel look good together, when you put the 31's on 10" wheels you end up with a small tread pattern and the sidewalls are bollooned out to fit the rim, it's not pretty. As a minimum I would go with the 32's. I hope the pictures help.

 

thanks guys. appreciate the info