How do I fix my tire rubbing issue?

Hello all, I have come here to post once again as I have encountered an issue that I’m sure many of you have experienced yourselves, as such you may be better at suggesting solutions then I am figuring one out on my own as new as I am. I recently bought new tires for my taco Goodyear Duratrac RTs 265/70R/17 the previous ones were Goodyear Fortitude HTs of the same size. I now experience tire rubbing whenever performing hard turns on either the right or left side, I also installed aftermarket upper control arms a few days prior to getting the tires. I suspect that might be the issue as the rubbing had started when they were installed even with the previous ones tires. The issue did not change even after a front end alignment the tires still seemed to sit further back towards the cab, as demonstrated in the picture below where I could only fit three fingers on the left versus four on the right. I also wonder whether the rims might simply be too big combined with the tires, being 17 inches which I hope is not the case. The tires might also be too big being AT tires versus the all season fortitudes previously on the truck.(These are all my assumptions.) After installing the upper control arms the truck seemed to sit lower from my findings, this is all on a 2.5 inch lift btw. anywho I hope someone can suggest something to me for a solution. Being a new driver, it isn’t very easy turning with a truck that already had a bad turning radius to being with combined with tire rubbing

 

Go higher, fender chop, or get smaller tires

 

Same wheels? Wheel specs? Alignment printout?

 

There isn't a one size fits all solution here. You need to know where the tires are rubbing to figure out how to tackle it. Do you know where they are rubbing?

 

This is such a loaded question.

 

Just looking at the two tires they are completely different shape. The Duratrac is much more sq and definitely has a wider shoulder than the HT. There’s probably a difference of 1” at the tread width just looking at pictures.

 

x2. Those do not look the same width, nor within a reasonable margin for tires that would say the same size

 

Correct he bought the same size based on the numbers but those have nothing to with tread width. The new tires tread width is definitely wider.

 

Also op. The duratrac tread depth is 18/32 while the Ht is 11/32 that almost a 1/2” tire diameter difference.

 

Like @chetterthecat said or just keep driving and self clear

 

@gotoman1969 the tire width difference is 1 inch correct, here’s the alignment sheet for those wondering. Agreed this is a loaded question much that I don’t know about, the upper control arms were after market and the brand is called Torch Off Road the arms were for 2-4” lift kits, these Duratracs were mounted on the same rims as the previous tires I do not know the specs of them. @kent50 tires are rubbing on the frame and cab mount towards the rear on both sides. I will look for the wheel specs and send them here once found

 

In tire sizes the 1st 3 digits, in this case 265, is the width of the tire at the SIDEWALL in millimeters. The width of the tread, the part that is in contact with the road, is not listed in tire sizes. You just have to go to the manufacturers specs to find tread width. And there is no industry standard. There can be 1" or more treadwidth between 2 different manufacturers even though they are the same size.

Also, LT tires tend to be slightly larger in every dimension than the same size tire in a P or SL load rating.

 

Part of the problem is the shop reducing caster from ~3.5 to ~2.5 degrees. Setting it closer to 3.5 degrees, or even maxing it out, will work just fine and move the tire forward slightly. If that doesn't work, then trim a little.

 

Shouldn't section width be at least as large as tread width though?

 

No. The section with is measured on a specific rim size (usually shown in manufacturer specs) at a specific pressure where the bulge of sidewall is. You will very seldom see tread width match the section width.

 

The tire specs are the same. But that’s it’s. The tread width on the new tires is wider and the tread depth is much deeper. Which if you measure the new tire is actually taller than the old coupled with wider tread and the fact the alignment guys lowered the caster by nearly 1* is the issue. I’d have them put caster back at 3.5 and that should remedy the issue. But you wont have as much clearance as the previous tires because of the above mentioned differences in the tires.

 

@gotoman1969 so your certain that having them put the caster back at 3.5 in the front on both sides should result in no rubbing? The decreased clearance shouldn’t be that much of an issue for me since they are pretty beefy to begin with.

 

It will definitely help.

 

There is no certainty unless stock tires on stock rims. Everything suggested will help.