tires are part of the suspension, aren't they??

[IOPort51]

question on tire size, It occurs to me that a 31 inch BFG AT is actually 29 inches in diameter.
When we throw around tire sizes are we talking about what the manufacturer is calling them or what they actually are??

 

[CJim7]

I throw around what is advertised on the tire....but I agree...Interco varies greatly on actual vs. advertised tire size. I had a set of 33" TSL radials which were 32". My biasply 36's are actually almost 37" tall (when they were new)

 

[Old Dog]

I just call them by the size the mfg. does.
my 33's are close to 32's with 32lbs. of air. I olny run 20 lbs though
at that point they are about 30's.

 

[73CJ]

Re: tires are part of the suspension, aren't they??

Yes, they are an air spring that has a spring rate proportional to the air pressure. 2 springs in series. 1//kt=1/k1 = 1/k2, where k1 and k2 are the spring rates. Bottom line - they contribute to a softer ride.