How Big Is Big 17,18,19???

[trevorbrady]

surely there comes a point where too large a contact patch equals lower pressure equals less grip?

Like the caterpillar earth movers are hugely heavy, but because of their large contact patch with the ground, they don't sink.

If the weight of a beetle remains constant but you play around with tyre widths, then a narrower width tyre equals a smaller contact patch equals greater pressure per square foot/metre of that contact patch equals greater friction (grip)

or am I taking it to extremes?

[lightning bug]

Bigger contact patch= more tire on the road. Therefore more grip. Regardless of the weight. Just make sure you have the power to turn those wide tires. IMO. 18's are probably the biggest that I would like on a Bug. Looks and function both come into play. Smaller wheels = cheaper tires too. 19 & 20's..... Show car. Drivable street car (if)18 and down......again my opinion.

[Michael Ghia]

You can over tyre a car and give yourself less grip than with the correct size.
It's more noticable when you're on a race track and you're trying to get heat into those tyres! If they are too wide, they simply don't warm up and you slip all over the place. If they are too thin, you'll burn them out quickly.
The same applies on the road, although you rarely get to the same temperatures as on the track, you can still put too much rubber on the road for your cars weight and suspension design.
MG

[Flintstones]

If you go too wide in your tyre selection, you then get into another area of trouble..Aquaplaning, not a fun place to be.......especially after you've spent your hard earned dollars on your project, to see it writen off, cause your tyres couldn't grip.

Cheers

[SilverBullet]

Originally posted by Sandeep
Hi All,

FYI.... a 235/35/18 like I'm running on the front has a section height of 3.23".... same as a 205/40/17... The advantage is a much LARGER contact patch... but the disadvantage is weight...

A 265/35/18 like I'm running on the rear has a S.H of 3.65"... larger than a 215/40/17 at 3.38"....

A 195/50 has a S.H of 3.84".... So its not really 'Rubber Band' tires with 18's.

IMHO I think 19's are too big for a daily driver.... but to each his own.

My .02c

Sandeep

Hi Sandeep,

I'm interested in 18's. Do you have an updated picture of your car with widened fenders? Last time I saw your car was w/o the widened fenders yet. Appreciate very much.