Why are larger diameter tires more expensive?

[rvillano8188]

My knee jerk reaction is that if the same width tire has a larger diameter, wouldn't that equal less rubber and less weight, therefore less cost?

School me please.

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[BrandonG]

Ya I’ve never understood this either lol I think originally it made sense as there were less cars with 20’s but now a days I dunno ‍

 

[j.o.y.ride]

There is likely an element of supply/demand on an offroad tire. Someone going for 35s or 37s is usually on a 17" wheel for offroading. Maybe an 18" stock rim. If you want to be that guy running 24" rims on a 35" tire you're going to be more unique, but that uniqueness will cost you as the demand is lower so prices need to be higher. When they're confident there's 100,000 people who will buy the 17" version they will make the molds and produce a ton of them. When there's 1,000 people looking and your tire may not be the one of choice you're going to make a more limited supply.

That's my thinking at least.

 

[rvillano8188]

There is likely an element of supply/demand on an offroad tire. Someone going for 35s or 37s is usually on a 17" wheel for offroading. Maybe an 18" stock rim. If you want to be that guy running 24" rims on a 35" tire you're going to be more unique, but that uniqueness will cost you as the demand is lower so prices need to be higher. When they're confident there's 100,000 people who will buy the 17" version they will make the molds and produce a ton of them. When there's 1,000 people looking and your tire may not be the one of choice you're going to make a more limited supply.

That's my thinking at least.

Thats a fair assessment. I was looking at 20” rim vs 17’s which is not all that uncommon I would think, especially when you start looking at some of the larger full size trucks.

just kinda mad that I want 20’s on 37’s (looking at Venomrex forged and the bigger rim will save weight vs tire) and it would cost me about 450 more for a tire with less rubber for a set

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Thats a fair assessment. I was looking at 20” rim vs 17’s which is not all that uncommon I would think, especially when you start looking at some of the larger full size trucks.

just kinda mad that I want 20’s on 37’s (looking at Venomrex forged and the bigger rim will save weight vs tire) and it would cost me about 450 more for a tire with less rubber for a set

If you think that's bad, go price some Trail Grapplers in 17/40 and then 24/40. $410 vs $790. Granted the 24 is 15.5 and the 17 is 13.5 but that's a serious difference.

 

[Jason Oliver]

There is likely an element of supply/demand on an offroad tire. Someone going for 35s or 37s is usually on a 17" wheel for offroading. Maybe an 18" stock rim. If you want to be that guy running 24" rims on a 35" tire you're going to be more unique, but that uniqueness will cost you as the demand is lower so prices need to be higher. When they're confident there's 100,000 people who will buy the 17" version they will make the molds and produce a ton of them. When there's 1,000 people looking and your tire may not be the one of choice you're going to make a more limited supply.

That's my thinking at least.

This.

 

[Nine Ball]

I've owned a wheel/tire business for 15 years. Tire prices are based on supply vs demand, as well as popularity of specific sizes. The more popular sizes are mass-produced, which brings their cost per unit down. You'll also notice when oil prices increase, so do tire prices. Currently tire prices are higher than normal due to backlogged delivery from overseas manufacturers; Low supply.

 

[Murgatroid]

My knee jerk reaction is that if the same width tire has a larger diameter, wouldn't that equal less rubber and less weight, therefore less cost?

School me please.

I'm not understanding one thing how would a larger diameter equal less rubber, wt. and cost. A larger diameter means you have more rubber and wt and so cost.

 

[TJDave]

I'm not understanding one thing how would a larger diameter equal less rubber, wt. and cost. A larger diameter means you have more rubber and wt and so cost.

I think he was referring to larger diameter wheel. 37x12.5x17 vs 37x12.5x20 for example.

 

[Murgatroid]

I think he was referring to larger diameter wheel. 37x12.5x17 vs 37x12.5x20 for example.

With the savings in less side wall. Then my guess would be numbers, not as many want thin wheels would be my assumption. What is the advantage of less sidewall?

 

[rvillano8188]

I'm not understanding one thing how would a larger diameter equal less rubber, wt. and cost. A larger diameter means you have more rubber and wt and so cost.

sorry should have been more specific. Meaning a 17 vs a 20, not a 35 vs 37.

ie a 37/12.5/17 is cheaper than a37/12.5/20

 

[rvillano8188]

With the savings in less side wall. Then my guess would be numbers, not as many want thin wheels would be my assumption. What is the advantage of less sidewall?

well a 33 with a 17 rim is actually less sidewall than a 37 on a 20.

 

[stickshifter]

With the savings in less side wall. Then my guess would be numbers, not as many want thin wheels would be my assumption. What is the advantage of less sidewall?

More sidewall is better for off-road, less sidewall is better for on-road performance because less flex in sidewall improves cornering. Its why sports cars have almost no sidewall - you get that super precise cornering (but with a hard ride).

 

[Murgatroid]

More sidewall is better for off-road, less sidewall is better for on-road performance because less flex in sidewall improves cornering. Its why sports cars have almost no sidewall - you get that super precise cornering (but with a hard ride).

I want to why he wants it on a Jeep.

 

[rvillano8188]

I want to why he wants it on a Jeep.

assuming I’m understanding your kind of question, a 37x17 is cheaper than a 37x20.

a 33x17 actually has less sidewall in theory than a 37x20, so I wanted it because bigger tire sometimes can do a bigger rim and achieve the same goal.

I had Rubi wheels and was looking to achieve the same ratio of wall to tire on my 37’s.

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