Apart from the hole in the middle of the tyre which has to be spot on for obvious reasons, tyre sizes are nominal.

So one maker's tyre can be half an inch or more larger in overall diameter than another maker's tyre even tho' both may be listed as being the same size as in, say, 255/60/17.

All terrain tyres can be up to another half inch larger in overall diameter because the tread is deeper than standard road tyres.

31.5 inches is the maximum overall diameter that will fit so you are pushing your luck at 32.1", assuming, of course, that measurement is actually the true physical dimension. I'd go and measure the tyre first before ordering.

 

There are many different sized 31.5" tire. A 30" tire could rub because of its width. Where a 32" narrow tire might not. I'm exploring that gray area and wanted to see if someone else has as well.
I am interested in hearing about a tall skinny tire being used on these rigs. If anyone has experience with them, please chime in. I'd like to know about your size, brand and most importantly... off and on road manners.

 

The actual overall diameter of the revo2 255/70/18 is 32.1 inches. I highly doubt they will clear.

 

I have got 235/60/r18 and do not rub etc,they come from an Audi Q7 which has the same offset.
They have loads of clearance,
Hope this helps from vwhead

 

235/60/18 is, at 29.1 inches nominal diameter, all but the standard Touareg 29.0 inches diameter so they will clear with room to spare.

The limitation is the horizontal dimension at the narrowest point in the wing/fender.

 

I think the best route is going to a 17" wheel so I can go with the 245/75/17 tire. They are 31.5" x 9.8" tire.

 

Bad idea...

With a 3" oversize (in diameter) tire, you are going to drastically change the torque, it will be like adding an additional overdrive. Over thirty years ago, I changed tires on a 3/4 ton Ford van (empty weighed about 5200#), with a 460cid (7.5litre). The stock tires were 8.75 and I jumped up to a 9.5" wide, and slightly taller tire, in an attempt to get better mileage. The mileage got worse and it was a total pig off the line. Calculate the final drive ratio before you waste money on tires, just because they fit...

 

Before I give my 2 cents, I will say I'm all for unconventional tire sizes, when everyone tells you it cannot be done. But sometimes there is a reason to not do it...

I would use the old saying of "Measure twice and cut once"... But let's take a look at your front suspension.

I'm running 255/50-19 on mine and they measure, on paper, 29.0 inch tall. Your 255/70-18 are 32.1 tall, a difference of just over 3 inch tall. So I just went out and took a look at my front tire and wheel well and before even talking/thinking about driving with it, the immediate limiting factor to fit this tire on your Touareg will be your upper arm bolt (ball joint).

My tires are almost worn out, and I could barely fit 2 fingers tips side by side between the tire and that bolt. Without even measuring my fingers, I have a strong feeling that your tire will not fit under it as your tire radius will be at least 1.5 inch taller then mine presently (3 inch / 2). Unless you go with a wheel with a smaller offset then a stock wheel, but then, it's another story altogether.

I had a similar issue with my previous Chrysler 300 when I fitted 235/65-18 winter tires. As the suspension is similar (with the upper arm and bolt design over the tire), we grinded that top bolt to (barely) fit the tire under. Great idea to fit free tires that were given to me, but not the most "peace of mind" thing to do as you need a certain amount of bolt tread past the retaining nut for safety. Great idea on a lease about to go back, but not so great if you are keeping your Touareg.

I will be following this tread to see if anyone actually was able to fit this size on their ride, and if so, what wheel they used.

Best of luck.

 

With a narrow tire I don't think the upper ball joint will be an issue, at the 31.5" height the only reason I needed a spacer is due to how wide my 285's are... 265/65 is just a hair taller (~.15") and doesn't require a spacer at all...

245/75/17 should fit; best advice, do what I did, see if anyone has done it, then jump in with both feet and see what happens!

 

I'm curious as to why you want such tall skinny tires? The change in overall drive ratio alters performance.

If it's offroad capability, just get 17" whels so you can buy tires with a tall sidewall aspect ratio and wider section width.

 

I'm curious as to why you want such tall skinny tires? The change in overall drive ratio alters performance.

If it's offroad capability, just get 17" whels so you can buy tires with a tall sidewall aspect ratio and wider section width.

Skinny tire is better in snow then wider. Actually a 245 width is not bad offroad either. I have been running this width ever since I went away from the stock tire size. I started with a 245/65/17 when I ran my Nokians. Then went to 245/70/17 when I went to the Cooper Discoverer ATR's. I can't go any taller since at 30.5" diameter I get some rubbing on the intercooler vents on my TDI when I do slow speed turns. I have air suspension so I am not worried about a taller tire for more clearance.

 

I understand your reason Yeti but the OP lives in San Diego, no snow there.

 

The other good thing a skinny tire is used for is mud

 

I love these! This is how all Touaregs should look!!

VWVortex.com - Firestone Destination M/T Mud Tires

 

I understand your reason Yeti but the OP lives in San Diego, no snow there.

No snow in San Diego but he could head up to the mountains over the winter and would be better off with a skinny tall tire.

 

The other good thing a skinny tire is used for is mud :smile:

It doesn't rain in Southern California either

No snow in San Diego but he could head up to the mountains over the winter and would be better off with a skinny tall tire.

Is it worth spending the other 8 months of the year with tall skinny tires and tall gearing?

 

not my first rodeo...

First let me answer all the "why" questions..... because I want to. I live in SoCal and can be in snow, mud, rocks or sand in less than 3 hours. I frequent Mexico and 100 mile dirt washboard roads. I have more than one vehicle and am not worried about what little acceleration I might lose from 1.25" more sidewall to the ground. I do realize performance with suffer with these tires. I have 37" tires on a straight 6 Land Cruiser with just over 200HP. I'm sure my lighter more powerful T-reg will power through some 31.5" tires. If anything, my concern is with the extra weight on the CV's. For all you haters with 20" wheels asking why I would want these tires, this isn't the thread for you. You wouldn't understand. Just like I don't understand why you would twin turbo a 5300# vehicle. If you want a track car, go buy a track car....I digress.
Panama, 30 years ago and you are comparing a cargo van with a Touareg? I know that a wider tire will only give you more traction on dry surfaces and will create more rolling friction and result in worse gas mileage. I will however, measure that final drive line to make sure I'm not way off base. A very nice Aussie gent gave me a spread sheet to calculate those numbers.
Perry - Have you ever been to socal? You do know that the middle of the state is mountains right? Here in CA they gauge who will get snow by their elevation. It might be 75 at my house and 45 minutes east can have 3 inches of snow on the ground. Rain? It rained yesterday in So Cal, from San Diego up to Irvine. I know because I drove in it.

Yeti, Anand, Lucha and NoobyToogy - thanks for the feedback and words of encouragement. I started this thread to hear about some experience and not opinion . Hence the title of this thread...
Sorry to come off as a smartass-

 

For all you haters with 20" wheels asking why I would want these tires

Haters? Why would you think that? I just asked a simple question because I was curious.

I have Dueler Revo AT's in 285/75-16 on my offroad truck and 20" tires on my Touareg. If I'm going to drive in mud, I take my truck.

And yes I lived in San Diego for 4 years while attending SDSU and also worked at Mammoth Mountain as a ski instructor as well as skiing occasionally at Big Bear too. So yes, I know you can drive to see snow. Annual rainfall in L.A. is less than 15". We can get that in less than a week here.

 

If you would have chimed in with "I had some tall skinnies and ditched them because..." or "I run tall skinnies and love them because..." then I would view it as advice or prior knowledge. But to assume that it was a mistake because I live where I live is ignorant. Should I have used the term ignorant instead of haters? Regardless, I'm not here to start some kind of thread war. Hell, I'd rather make friends than enemies here. At least until I get my TPMS disabled..HA!

I'm going to order some 245/75/17's but now I need to figure out which tire. I really loved these Pirelli ATR's. But I want a stronger sidewall and they don't come in the size I want. So I'm thinking some Duratrac's or a slightly less aggressive Revo2 (which I think is very comparable to the scorpion atr). I know the duratrac will tackle anything I throw at it, where the revo won't. However I know the revo will yield better gas mileage.
Does anyone have experience with the duratracs?

 

I'm going to order some 245/75/17's but now I need to figure out which tire. I really loved these Pirelli ATR's. But I want a stronger sidewall and they don't come in the size I want. So I'm thinking some Duratrac's or a slightly less aggressive Revo2 (which I think is very comparable to the scorpion atr). I know the duratrac will tackle anything I throw at it, where the revo won't. However I know the revo will yield better gas mileage.
Does anyone have experience with the duratracs?

Look, I've gone down the road of max ground clearance before on a few different model 4x4 vehicles. There are pros and cons. I haven't heard any particular real needs you have to warrant the cons. If I were you I'd stick with the 245/70 you mentioned. A good shop like Discount Tire will do a test fit for you so you can see.

Why aren't you looking at the BFG AT. Plenty of sizes and stronger sidewall than everything you mentioned, possibly a better tire period. I've been using them on 4 vehicles over 11 years now, flawless and only one flat where my mom ran over scrap metal object at 70 mph and even then it just grabbed it and kept on rolling full pressure.

32. anything is going to rub whenever you compress the suspension, and the rear could be an issue at full compression too.

Unless you are trying to get through, ruts and deep snow that NOBODY else on this board has been able to do, then you don't need the 32" for all it's problems that will accompany that size.

About snow, you know what's 100x more capable than a tall tire in nearly bottomed out snow situation? (I say that because unless you're near max, the tall tire is more useful than fishing waders in a puddle)

Tire chains. Leave enough room for a set of real chains, like the RUD 4x4 version, and you'll be able to go much further than just a tall tire will allow.

I had the bfg 265/65x18 and the rub on flat ground with neutral compression, was at 30% turn. Your offset is going to matter just as much as the skinny tire idea.

I'm sure you've thought about this, but also be sure the narrower tire is suited for the rim width. There are reasons 8" rims come with a 255.

I've had the 245 width on my first Land Rover and the rim was 7", perfect fit, 8" rim may be a little weird.

It's not just about looks and stuff here, there is a window of ideal safety by design.

Good luck.

 

there is a guy that has 275/65/18 Duratrac's... including videos of him jumping the truck in the dunes...

Edit: here's the link: http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f44/new-duratracs-in-sand-video-52519.html

 

I run the latest General Grabber AT [not the now superseded AT2] 235/65/17.

It's a good 50/50 on/off roader and I'm very pleased with them.

The car is off road everyday and I never use the gizmo button - generally it stays in D and I just point and squirt where I want to go! Occasionally I might use tiptronic to hold a gear but that's about it. The electronics do the work and I enjoy the view.

 

A few of my friends have agreed to lend me their inflatable spares. I will let you know how four 195/75/18s feel when I get a free moment to swap out my 37" Super Swampers. kaboom

 

Thanks for your input Jack. You are truly a valuable asset to this community. Keep up the great work.

 

I have a set of General Grabber AT2 265/65-17 on order, should be here soon. :anger:

 

Okay, so I had the 265/65-17 GG AT2 fitted yesterday, and there´s just lost of space left, - a wider and bigger diameter will fit just fine, and my car are a TDI R5...

 

Was it the AT2 or the newer AT as I thought that AT2 had been phased out?

 

As I wrote AT2