I would think the curved appearance of the 12 inch wide tire is just that, an appearance.

The tires are made out of rubber, and from a function point of view, doesn't the tire flex, and result in a flat contact patch?? :bigthink:

Then, it is possible, that mounting a 12 inch wide tire on a 12 inch wide rim REDUCES traction!! :bigeyes:

If the rim is too wide, there is no support for the center of the tread.

This has always been an issue with bias ply tires, a very common issue in the 1960's IIRC,,,,

You may be correct. I am too young to know anything about biplys on cars, tho.:biggrin2:

I think the 10.5 inch rims are what should have been used on the 12" tires. My problem is not traction, it is looks. And with my chains on, they click the fenders above 5 mph with the setup above. Once I get some Floatation 23°s on 10.5" rims, I won't have to worry about that.:beerchug:

Big John

I don't know but you may be correct, all I can say is that I think that if 10.5 wide tire looks and functions well on an 8.5" wide wheel a 12" wide tire should look and function well on a 10.5" wide wheel. That said I'll post a pic and let you guys decide, on the left is a 26X12X12 Nanking on an 8.5" wide rim, on the right is a Carlise Tru Power 26X12X12 on a 10.5" rim. What do you guys think? :bigthink:

is that your left or mine?

Foo git a bot it fo Da Joisey guys, day don't git right fom left. :biggrin2: