My understanding is PA law states tire tread must be completely covered by the fender. However, I still want taller/wider tires. I will also be purchasing new wheels. What is the tallest/widest tire I can put on my 2011 Rubicon and still be under the fender? 275? 285? Is there anything I can do with the new wheels to help this issue? 8 inch instead of 9 inch width? 18 inch instead of 17 inch diameter? different back spacing / offset? Can some of you jeep experts help me out please?

 

I know this isn't answering your question but I live in northern nj and we have plenty of jeeps and pickup trucks with tires sticking out way past the fenders. Never have been hassled or know anyone who has. I know folks in pa that do the same and are okay. I have heard of cops treating it as a secondary thing when you get pulled over for something solid but not 100 percent on this

 

I live in pa got some pretty wide tires and don't get hassled

 

I would recommend getting involved with your local government and telling those elected to stop treading on you.

I believe in a true land of the free and hate stupid laws like this

 

Bushwacker sells some pocket flares that will cover after market tires pretty good. I know a guy with 315/70-17 on black rock 997 that have a 4.5 back spacing who has them. They cover his tire pretty good and I think there's only a 1/2 inch or less of his tire sticking out.

 

I was pulled over by a state trooper in PA once for tires sticking out past fenders (only about 1.5 inches). Before and since then, about 2 years, no other cops have stopped me despite passing lots of them.

$160+ fine...

The trooper that stopped me said that in PA you can't have an aftermarket fender flare wider than 3 inches.

 

Sounds like you need to move out of PA!

 

Im running nitto trail grapplers in 35x12.5x17 on stock wheels with 1/5" spidertrax spacers and they stick out slightly with stock fenders...i ended up getting bushwacker flats which cover just about the same as stock did and have yet to have any issues. The rears cover fine but the fronts I think are out slightly...hard to tell with the flats tho. Not a good pic but here is one with the flats, and another before i got them form head on

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67956300@N03/8547876499/http://www.flickr.com/photos/67956300@N03/8547876499/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/67956300@N03/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67956300@N03/8489400102/http://www.flickr.com/photos/67956300@N03/8489400102/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/67956300@N03/, on Flickr

 

You'll be fine, just make sure you know someone that can do inspections

 

Mine are 12.2" wide (ProComp X-treme AT 305/65-17), treaded surface sticks out a bit on Black Rock 900B's (4-1/2" BS), and passed PA inspection....but they love me at the inspection garage, which helps