sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

I was wondering what low-profile tires out there have stiffer sidewalls than most. If so, would it make a difference in helping protecting a wheel (assuming properly inflated) from damage? Or is the stiffness between different tires so marginally it wouldn't make any impact? Sorry if I'm over-thinking this.

Mitsuguy: Any thoughts?

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

yah... over the past 8 or so years, I have seen every type of tire with impact breaks...

from 235/75-15's with soft sidewalls to 31x10.50-15 light truck tires (both tall sidewalls) to low profile H rated tires (relatively softer sidewall) to low profile Z rated tires, and from every manufacturer out there... I have not seen any trends that would make me say this tire or this style is more resistant to impact breaks... I can say that I don't fully believe it's specifically related to low profile tires, however I would say that a higher percentage are low profile tires... again, all tires are subject to this...

just had a tire come in the other day on a car with 200 miles on it - impact break - customer was sure it was a defect, but when we pulled the tire off the wheel, you could easily see where the tire had been pinched up against the wheel... after some prodding, they admitted to hitting a pot hole... tire size was a 215/60-17... not low profile by any means...