Anyone tried 33x9.50-15's?

[uncle_handsome]

Merry Christmas! I was wondering if anyone here has been offroad with unusually skinny offroad tires like the 33x9.50 and the 33x10.5. I'd like to here about their ride quality because I've heard rumors they don't respond well to low tire pressures (ie. under 20 psi) as common tires like the 31x10.5, 32x11.5 and 33x12.5 do. Do they run rougher? Is it true that they don't like soft tire pressures? I was thinking I'd prefer to run a 31x10.5 or 32x11.5 if the 33x10.5's or 33x9.5's aren't as flexible. (I've heard that running tires like 33x12.5's or bigger often brake stock axles and I don't have a lot of money for upgrades)

Any advice will be appreciated!

[special-K]

What`s your intended use?Those 9.50s will make an excellant mud/snow/road tire.Probably not alot of dry-rock crawling in your area.The only airing-down I do in my area is for beach driving.

[uncle_handsome]

I'd like to be able to air down so I can drive over rough roads or other bumpy obstacles. I found out riding my mountain bike that dropping the pressure from 30psi to 15psi made the bike ride amazingly through rock piles beside creeks and even under creeks plus it made most of the bumps I used to feel disappear. This bike has no suspension. In those rocky areas I used to slip and/or get stuck all the time and it felt a bit unsteady and dangerous at 30 psi. At 15psi I could ride a lot faster and it felt so steady now that the tires could conform to the loose rock surface.

I'd just like the option to comfortable 'wheel at pressures below 20 psi in case it's very rough or soft terrain.

So how do 33x10.5's or 33x9.5's ride? (can they flex well at low psi)

[special-K]

In my opinion,yes,they ride about the same as 12.50s.Probly not quite as flexy.20psi is low enough to smooth the ride.I used to run my 14.50/37s@20psi(bias)all the time to make it ride and to keep the centers from wearing too fast.Good to here someone else MTBs w/o suspension.Suspension is for lightweights.I guess I`m just "old-school".What do you ride?Mine`s a 1984(1st yr)MountainKlein #59.I`m proud of her.Actually my first bike had front suspension,a springer!Didn`t call`em mountain bikes,called`em klunkers back then,had to build yer own...

[uncle_handsome]

I have a generic 21 speed mountain bike from the early 90's. It has a quick release front wheel and (now looking a bit chewed) gel pad seat. It rides decently except for the rear gears are slipping a bit. I have 26"x2.25" tires with claw treads. Where do you ride your bike? I like to ride mine on trails (footpaths) and offroad near my house.

So 33x9.5's are almost as flexible as 12.5's at the same pressure?

Thanks for your advice special-K.

P.S. Is Mt.Airy MD in the mountains? I've been to Mt.Airy NC, never knew there was another one!

[special-K]

Mt.Airy is in Piedmont topo.It is on a ridge with foothills in view about 10-15miles away.We have many river valleys and the mountains have fire roads and trails.There`s also the C&O Canal toe-path along the Potomac River for some easy riding.Also Rails to Trails.Do you have those up your way?I like the fat 2.25s,too.By the way,what is the vehicle you are putting these tires on.

[Bob Chayer]

I wonder if 33x9.5x15 on stock rims would fit on my 84 Military Blazer without a lift?

[uncle_handsome]

I don't have a vehicle yet... But I know I want a fullsize truck, probably older than 1996. (and I live in a rust-belt area so it limits my choices a bit) I want a daily driver that's good at light offroading...

If your Blazer is a fullsize, you probably could fit 33x9.5-15's on no problem. I've seen a Ramcharger (or whatever Dodge's old fullsize big sport ute was called) with a lift and 33x9.50-15's and it looked really nice.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Yeah with mayble a little bit of trimming you should be able to fit them fine.

[67cst]

im pretty sure you can fit a 33x12.5 without a lift, when i bought tires for my stock 71 4x4 gmc i was told that the 33 was the max you could go without rubbing,

[1969K10]

I'm running 33X10.5 BFG-AT's right now, with out any lift. I think the PO put plow springs on the front, so I've got a little extra height there (5 leafs instead of 3). I've also got 3/4T springs on the back, so maybe I picked up a little there. I've not been to the off road park yet with these tires, but last week was running some old logging trails in Michigans UP, and about the only thing that didn't go wrong, was no tire rub. Guess you got to be grateful for what does go right

I haven't dropped the air pressure on them yet, but they recommend no lower than 20PSI. I usually only drop to 25.

[Dan72cst]

I run 33 9.50 15's on my 72 K5 stock springs and 8" wide wheels. No clearance problems. They work good in the snow and seem to do well with the small amount of off roading that I do. I haven't experimented with tire pressure as it seems to ride fine. Really looks good in that stock wheel well too.

[Mint68]

My friend runs 33x12.5 with his stock springs and has no clearance problems with daily driving. Lock to lock my be a problem with axle articulation. I also know a kid with 33x10.5 on his toyota. They seem to do the job, they just look odly skinny for a truck, a toy truck at that.