How wide tire will fit factory rim?

[GMTool]

Originally Posted by jbrown13

Personally, I wouldn't go wider than the manufacturer of the tire you buy says. Tire engineers must have reasons for showing approved wheel widths for the various offerings, and as a retired engineer (not in the tire industry) I would follow those guidelines. I don't know exactly what problems mounting a tire on a wider or narrower wheel creates, but I'm certain it is more than just "looks". You could be creating an unsafe combination. Just MHO and food for thought.

I agree. The tire spec's have a wheel size.

[Kent2010]

Originally Posted by GMTool

I agree. The tire spec's have a wheel size.

Most of the time, it shows a 'recommended rim width'. What we don't know is *why* its 'recommended'.

Safety?
Maximum mileage?
Maximum tire life?
Ease of mounting?
Some other reason entirely?

If it is truly a safety issue -- ok. Hard to argue against that.

But, on the other hand, if it is just that the tire won't generate as many G's or that it will wear faster or unevenly on a rim just outside the 'recommended' range, I think most guys on here would be willing to live with that trade-off.

It would be nice to know for sure, in the specs.