Where's the rub with tire rub?

[NY2LA]

Happy New Year, all.... So I have already posted here in a few places about my build and ongoing considerations. Due to coronavirus, my travels will not begin until the spring now, but by that point I'm hoping to solidify my suspension and tire choice for my 2020 Heritage Edition.

I'm leaning strongly toward LT285/70/R18 tires now, because I'd like to get my pavement PSI down as much as possible to absorb small bumps on the road (important for operation of a production camera inside the vehicle) while also having a rugged, clearance-improving tire that is most likely to get me and my people out into the middle of nowhere and back without drama.

I'm finding conflicting information about whether or not this size rubs and where it rubs. It sounds like a little trimming of the front mudflaps and fender liners takes care of the rubbing for people, but then some people still report some rub that is generally dismissed as not an issue. I'm finding conflicting info on whether spacers help or not.

All this confusion aside, my question is when exactly is a little rub an actual issue, and when is it not? Does a slight amount of rub at, for example, a full right turn eventually accumulate to be not a slight problem? Does slight rub lead to damage or wear or loss of performance?

Curious about folks' experiences here.

 

[CharlieS]

Slight rubbing of soft tire rubber against hard plastic fender liners makes a noise. You can remove mud flaps, use heat to remold fender liners, etc. It's par for the course for modifications.

 

[sdnative]

Higher speeds on pavement with underinflated tires will generate heat and could damage the tires.

 

[grinchy]

You’ll know when a rub is benign or trying to rip your fender off. They sound totally different. The trick is figuring out when your minor benign rub could actually escalate to A fender ripper.

 

[Madtiger]

Happy New Year, all.... So I have already posted here in a few places about my build and ongoing considerations. Due to coronavirus, my travels will not begin until the spring now, but by that point I'm hoping to solidify my suspension and tire choice for my 2020 Heritage Edition.

I'm leaning strongly toward LT285/70/R18 tires now, because I'd like to get my pavement PSI down as much as possible to absorb small bumps on the road (important for operation of a production camera inside the vehicle) while also having a rugged, clearance-improving tire that is most likely to get me and my people out into the middle of nowhere and back without drama.

I'm finding conflicting information about whether or not this size rubs and where it rubs. It sounds like a little trimming of the front mudflaps and fender liners takes care of the rubbing for people, but then some people still report some rub that is generally dismissed as not an issue. I'm finding conflicting info on whether spacers help or not.

All this confusion aside, my question is when exactly is a little rub an actual issue, and when is it not? Does a slight amount of rub at, for example, a full right turn eventually accumulate to be not a slight problem? Does slight rub lead to damage or wear or loss of performance?

Curious about folks' experiences here.

Hmmm....

You want to keep low PSI on highway for comfort and smooth ride............yet you are choosing tall LT-rated tires that will guarantee a rough ride. Most in that size are Load Range E. You may want to source a kidney donor prior to changing tires....

Do you even have a LC yet? Maybe try to drive it in stock form...it will likely be plenty for middle of nowhere and back without drama.

What terrain are we talking about? What vehicle are you using now (or prior to LC ownership)?? Short of Wrangler Rubicon, whatever you owned before is LESS capable than stock LC.

Why go to such a big heavy-as-hell tire that requires over 42 PSI at least to keep heat at bay??

 

[danny noonan]

Nitro Ridge Grapplers 285/70r18 on stock 18” wheels. 38psi. 2” Dobinson basic lift-
Rubbed on front mud flap (removed)
Rubbed front fender liner (moved forward w/ screw and heat gun.
Rubbed driver side KDSS bar (forward and back on full lock)
Added 1.25” spacers all around. Slight KDSS rub at full lock in reverse. Easy to drive around it.

 

[Omega3651]

Is 285/70/18 the largest you can go without a lift that won't rub too badly or is 285/65/18 as big as you can go?
Looking for answers on what the OP asked myself and also what the largest tire size is that you can reliably upgrade to without serious rubbling.
The lift will come but I'm trying to enjoy it in stock form for now but with an upgraded AT tire.

 

[NY2LA]

Hmmm....

You want to keep low PSI on highway for comfort and smooth ride............yet you are choosing tall LT-rated tires that will guarantee a rough ride. Most in that size are Load Range E. You may want to source a kidney donor prior to changing tires....

Do you even have a LC yet? Maybe try to drive it in stock form...it will likely be plenty for middle of nowhere and back without drama.

What terrain are we talking about? What vehicle are you using now (or prior to LC ownership)?? Short of Wrangler Rubicon, whatever you owned before is LESS capable than stock LC.

Why go to such a big heavy-as-hell tire that requires over 42 PSI at least to keep heat at bay??

Yes, I own a 2020 Heritage and have a build thread on here.

This is a work vehicle for me that will spare me from having to fly with 10 Pelican cases around the country and rent various compromise vehicles. I've rented a jacked-up Wrangler to get to and around a massive private property near Moab, and I've gotten stuck in deep sand on a mountain at another private property in Joshua Tree in a rented Escalade, which ultimately needed Search and Rescue to pull it out. I'm expecting the Land Cruiser to be a better solution for my needs in many cases.

Given the terrain I occasionally encounter, I need an LT tire. So I got KO2s that run at 46PSI, but for various technical reasons related to film production, I would benefit from something with lower recommended PSI for better small bump absorption. Some members here have also suggested a larger diameter tire. So I'm looking at 285/70.

 

[NY2LA]

Nitro Ridge Grapplers 285/75r18 on stock 18” wheels. 38psi. 2” Dobinson basic lift-
Rubbed on front mud flap (removed)
Rubbed front fender liner (moved forward w/ screw and heat gun.
Rubbed driver side KDSS bar (forward and back on full lock)
Added 1.25” spacers all around. Slight KDSS rub at full lock in reverse. Easy to drive around it.

Wow. I hadn't even considered going that big. How does it handle on the highway? I'll have some long trips.

And I'm assuming the factory spare location is a no go?

 

[TLC2013]

Before going with lt275/70r18 I must have read every post one here about tire size and rubbing. Wheel offset will play a significant role in what rubs and where. Is your concern Plastic/bumper rubbing or KDSS sway bar rubbing ? Expect plastic rubbing, which is easily remedied, with most sizes larger then stock. I even encountered a minor KDSS rub with lt285/65r18 with both a 60mm and 45 mm offset. Rubbing was very minimal and only at full steering wheel lock.
Based on what I researched here lt285/70r18 will rub the KDSS at full or near full steering wheel lock no matter the offset. This was the size I was looking for but could not find that unicorn offset/ tire combo in this size that would avoid the KDSS rub. Settled on the lt275/70r18 (kenda klever rt) and still have a minor passenger side KDSS rub at full lock. Alignment specs will play a role in what rubs and where.... something to consider as well.

 

[NY2LA]

Before going with lt275/70r18 I must have read every post one here about tire size and rubbing. Wheel offset will play a significant role in what rubs and where. Is your concern Plastic/bumper rubbing or KDSS sway bar rubbing ? Expect plastic rubbing, which is easily remedied, with most sizes larger then stock. I even encountered a minor KDSS rub with lt285/65r18 with both a 60mm and 45 mm offset. Rubbing was very minimal and only at full steering wheel lock.
Based on what I researched here lt285/70r18 will rub the KDSS at full or near full steering wheel lock no matter the offset. This was the size I was looking for but could not find that unicorn offset/ tire combo in this size that would avoid the KDSS rub. Settled on the lt275/70r18 (kenda klever rt) and still have a minor passenger side KDSS rub at full lock. Alignment specs will play a role in what rubs and where.... something to consider as well.

Any thoughts on what the ramifications of that KDSS rub could be over time?

 

[TLC2013]

Any thoughts on what the ramifications of that KDSS rub could be over time?

With the KDSS sway bar rubbing the tire you will feel the rub/vibration in the steering wheel. My rub is at near full steering wheel lock and very minimal. The paint has been polished off by the tire on the passenger side KDSS sway bar. Not anything to be concerned with. I just barely clear the driver side KDSS sway bar, like 1/8” or less. The design of the front KDSS sway bar makes the contact on the driver side tire more of an issue as it will rub a larger portion of the tire tread and lugs. On the passenger side the rub is primarily just the sidewall polishing the sway bar with the Steering wheel turned to near full lock.

 

[danny noonan]

Sorry. 285/70. Edited.

 

[scottm]

I've always understood wider tires hit more bumps. And taller, narrower tires perform better in most off-road conditions. I'm looking at 275/70R18 for my truck, not like I spend a lot of time at full-lock where minor rubbing will occur. I have Pathfinder 275/75R18 on my 100 for long highway runs, it has been dead smooth, probably get that tire again. Might even swap those tires onto my 200 temporarily, sell the street tires with my 100.

 

[TeCKis300]

I've always understood wider tires hit more bumps. And taller, narrower tires perform better in most off-road conditions. I'm looking at 275/70R18 for my truck, not like I spend a lot of time at full-lock where minor rubbing will occur. I have Pathfinder 275/75R18 on my 100 for long highway runs, it has been dead smooth, probably get that tire again. Might even swap those tires onto my 200 temporarily, sell the street tires with my 100.

It could also be said that wider tires will do a better job at averaging bumps, particularly when aired down.

 

[scottm]

It could also be said that wider tires will do a better job at averaging bumps, particularly when aired down.

At low speeds where the soft tire can conform, a larger footprint can do that. A longer footprint might do as well as a wider footprint, with fewer compromises in other conditions.

 

[TeCKis300]

At low speeds where the soft tire can conform, a larger footprint can do that. A longer footprint might do as well as a wider footprint, with fewer compromises in other conditions.

I'm a proponent of longer and wider, for fewer compromises all around. Except perhaps MPG.

 

[afgman786]

Didn't you say your plan was no more tire threads/questions as a new years resolution?

 

[NY2LA]

Didn't you say your plan was no more tire threads/questions as a new years resolution?

LOL. My New Year's resolution begins tomorrow, after a brief ease-in period.

 

[Last200]

Before going with lt275/70r18 I must have read every post one here about tire size and rubbing. Wheel offset will play a significant role in what rubs and where. Is your concern Plastic/bumper rubbing or KDSS sway bar rubbing ? Expect plastic rubbing, which is easily remedied, with most sizes larger then stock. I even encountered a minor KDSS rub with lt285/65r18 with both a 60mm and 45 mm offset. Rubbing was very minimal and only at full steering wheel lock.
Based on what I researched here lt285/70r18 will rub the KDSS at full or near full steering wheel lock no matter the offset. This was the size I was looking for but could not find that unicorn offset/ tire combo in this size that would avoid the KDSS rub. Settled on the lt275/70r18 (kenda klever rt) and still have a minor passenger side KDSS rub at full lock. Alignment specs will play a role in what rubs and where.... something to consider as well.

So I’ve had 285/75/17s on Rock Warriors (50mm offset) for a year now and never rubbed even when I tried. Last week I had BP51s installed (10mm preload) and now I’m rubbing on the driver side KDSS bar. The alignment almost looks and feels like too much positive camber. I’m baffled. I thought I had that unicorn combo but I guess not.