Would 12.5" wide tires be better with a 10" wide wheel or an 8" wide wheel, and why so?
Both wheels would take 35x12.5 R16 or 315/75R16 tires right?

 

I prefer the 8" as it tucks the tire in and exposes the rim flange less to damage. It is also harder to roll the bead with the narrower wheel. My .02

Flash

 

8"! It's the poor man's beadlock!

 

Yeah, this is one case that 8" is better than 10.

 

Yup I also like an 8" wide rim because it is less likely to break a bead. I run 12-14 psi trail. Bead stays on so far. Also protects edges of the wheels on rocks better. I have had some scratches but not nearly as bad as others on the same trail with 10".

I also like 15" wheels because of the extra rubber climbing over rocks. Pics of my old Jeep meeting the challenge. My new JK isn't properly modded for the trail yet. I need a lift bad but I'm only buying the things on my mod list and as I have the money to get exactly what I want.

 

I have a 9" wide wheel. lol. does that help you?

Given the two choices, I say get a 8". For reasons already stated.

 

I like the 8's better also and they are usually alittle less expensive.

 

8'' narrow taller stance. 10" will spread out your tire a little more and that = better contact, more traction and thats a good thing in most cases. I do agree with the others, a 10" wheel will make more contact on the rock and you run a better chance of poping a bead. Just my

 

Appears as though I am going to be the lone dissenter here.

I personally like the 10" on 35.

Recently, one of the 4x4 mags (4 wheeler I think) had something about that in thier most recent issue. It stated that most manufacturers reccomend a 2-3" difference.

My personal experience has been with 33x12.50-15 (BFG A/T, Pro Comp Xterrains) 35x12.50-15 (Xterrains) and 33x14.50-15 (Mickey Trash bajas).

Each of these tires I would typically run anywhere from 5-8 psi while offroad. (No bead locks) I never had any problems with popping a bead on the 12.50 tires but lost several beads on the 14.50 micky trashes. Now maybe that was only that particular tire, but that info debunks what everyone is saying about 10's losing a bead easier than 8's.

Again, this was my experience and I only experienced problems when there was a larger difference is wheel width. (4" difference, same as mounting a 12.50 tire on a 8" wheel) I never experienced any problems popping a bead on a 12.50 tire on a 10" rim, even running at 5-8 psi.

Flame suit on!

 

A 2" wheel width difference is going to cause about an additional 3/4" of section width with the 10" wheel, exposing more of your sidewall to punctures. It's also going to modestly decrease tire height. The backspacing should remain about the same, meaning that the 10" wheels will be sticking out a lot more increasing some stress on your axles.

The positives of the 10" wheel would be better on road handling. Just need to figure out what you do with your jeep.