Are All-Terrain Tires Bigger? (Explained)

If you drive a light truck, pick-up or a Large SUV and you do off-roading frequently, the odds are you have all-terrain tires or you have at least considered them.

All-terrain tires have such great rep because of their versatility with all terrains, like their name implies. 

They help improve traction and can develop your car’s performance even under far-from-normal road conditions. They also help a great deal with your vehicle’s towing capacity as long as you make the right pick. 

However, what makes the all-terrain tires that effective? Is it because of their size? Are they bigger than other tires? In this article, we will be providing answers to questions about the size of all-terrain tires compared to other tires. 

Here’s the Short Answer to Whether All-Terrain Tires Are Bigger:

Truth is, like with every other tire, all-terrain tires come in different sizes depending on the vehicle you want it on. However, the average all-terrain tire is still bigger than the average regular all-season tire. 

How Big Are All-Terrain Tires Compared to Other Tire Types?

There are different kinds of tires and amongst them are all-terrain tires. Here’s how all-terrain tires compare to other tires in terms of size:

All-Terrain Tires Vs All-Season Tires

Besides having a more aggressive tread pattern, all-terrain tires are also much bigger and blockier than their all-season counterparts.

They also have a larger tread depth and side wall than all-season tires.

All-Terrain Tires Vs. Mud Tires

While all-terrain tires have very large and deep treads, they are still very much inferior to the mud tires. Also, their sidewalls are not as big, rugged and aggressive as mud tires. 

The reason for this is that mud tires are designed to be more effective in intense off-road conditions. 

All-Terrain Tires Vs Winter Tires

Although winter tires are very big, experts recommend small and narrow winter tires for use during winter. As a result, most all-terrain tires are bigger than winter tires. 

All-Terrain Tires Vs Highway Tires

Highway tires are regular tires that provide quality performance on highways and on-road. They do not have aggressive tread patterns like A/T tires and they are also not as large on average. 

Related: Are All-Terrain Tires Worth It? (Explained)

What Is the Difference Between All-Terrain Tires and Highway Tires?

All-Terrain tires are designed to handle different road conditions, including off-road. This means they can grip a smooth highway as well as an off-road surface just fine. 

Highway tires, on the other hand, are primarily designed for smooth roads. While they can also withstand some off-road conditions, we really can’t bet on their effectiveness in such conditions. 

Other differences include:

• Highway tires are often quieter than their all-terrain counterparts.
• Highway tires have a longer and more durable tread wear.
• Highway tires provide a much better fuel economy than all-terrain tires, which makes them the better choice for daily commuting.
• All-terrain tires have an open tread design that makes for an effective grip in off-road conditions while highway tires do not. 
• All-terrain tires enjoy super-strong sidewalls that help increase towing/hauling capacity in extreme road conditions while highway tires do not. 

Related: Are All-Terrain Tires Louder? (Explained)

Are All-Terrain Tires Taller Or Wider?

There are different types and sizes of all-terrain tires, and it all depends on your needs. All-terrain tires with taller sidewalls are great for the off-road because it helps to chop off pressure from your tires in such conditions. 

However, a shorter sidewall means better overall stability but lesser effectiveness in off-road conditions. 

Also, all-terrain tires with wider tires have excellent grip and contact on dry surfaces. They stand at high risk of slippages on wet surfaces and they are better suited for large vehicles. 

Narrow tires, on the other hand, have better traction and grip on wet and muddy surfaces. They are better suited for lighter cars. 

On the whole, all-terrain tires are more likely to have taller and wider sidewalls. Although, you can demand specific sizes depending on your driving needs. 

Related: Are All-Terrain Tires Good For Towing? (Explained)

Can You Mount Bigger Tires on the Same Rims?

You can absolutely mount bigger tires on the same rims, but you’ll need to make sure some things are in place before doing that. 

The first thing you need to make sure of is that the bigger tire and the rim have the same internal diameter. 

You should also make sure that whatever tires you get perfectly fit in the wheel well and are not rubbing against the metals or shock absorbers. 

Check in with your dealership or manufacturer to make sure the size fits their vehicle specifications. Going beyond manufacturer specifications could void your warranty and will not be great for your vehicle in the long run. 

Finally, before mounting bigger tires, you should know that bigger tires mean better performance on off-road conditions.

They could also mean worse fuel economy and may affect your vehicle’s stability for a while.

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