What Are Flotation Tires?

When you hear the term flotation tire, what comes to mind? Are you thinking of “Back To The Future” with a flying Delorean? Maybe you’ve got a water vehicle in mind that can scale the ocean's waves. While those sound cool, that’s not what we’re speaking of when it comes to flotation tires.

In reality, flotation tires, also known as low profile tires or wide base tires, are designed for use on heavy-duty vehicles such as farm equipment, construction vehicles, and military trucks. In some cases, you might find flotation tires on ATVs, golf carts and off-roading vehicles. They are also known as float tires and floater tires.

What makes these tires different is they have a larger contact patch than standard tires and a lower air pressure, which allows them to spread the weight of the vehicle over a larger area and reduce soil compaction.

What Are Flotation Tires?

Flotation tires are essentially an alternate format of tire sizing, designed to provide the ability to float over loose dirt. These tires are measured in inches and are known for their solid in-field performance and high-speed road travel. They are typically a tubeless tractor and implement tire ideal for free-rolling wheels, offering excellent durability by being resistant to stubble punctures, cuts, and other impacts.

What Do Flotation Tires Do?

The primary function of flotation tires is to provide better traction and stability on rough or soft terrain while minimizing damage to the ground.

Flotation tires are typically wider and have a rounder profile than standard tires, which gives them a larger footprint and provides a more comfortable ride. They are also able to handle heavy loads and deliver good traction in a variety of terrains, including soft soil, sand, and gravel.

One potential drawback of flotation tires is that they can be more expensive than standard tires and may not offer as much stability or handling on paved roads.

What Kinds of Vehicles Use Flotation Tires?

Flotation tires are typically used on heavy-duty vehicles such as farm equipment, construction vehicles, and military trucks. They are not recommended for use on passenger vehicles or everyday driving on paved roads, as they may not provide the same level of performance or safety.

Examples of vehicles that may use flotation tires include tractors, combines, bulldozers, dump trucks, and off-road vehicles. These tires are well-suited for use in agricultural, industrial, and military applications where the vehicle must travel over rough or soft terrain and carry heavy loads.

How Much Do Flotation Tires Cost?

The cost of flotation tires can vary depending on the tires' size, brand, and load capacity. In general, flotation tires are more expensive than standard tires due to their larger size and specialized design. Prices can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per tire, depending on the specific model and retailer.

What Are High-Speed Flotation Tires?

High-speed flotation tires are used on heavy-duty vehicles that need to travel at high speeds over soft or rough terrain. These tires have a larger contact patch and a lower air pressure than standard tires, which allow them to spread the vehicle's weight over a larger area and reduce soil compacting. They also have a more aggressive tread pattern and a more rugged construction to handle the added stresses of high-speed travel.

Can You Put Flotation Tires on Cars?

Flotation tires are typically not recommended for use on passenger vehicles. These tires are designed for heavy-duty vehicles such as farm equipment, construction vehicles, and military trucks. They are not optimized for the performance or handling characteristics of passenger cars. And they may not offer the same stability on paved roads as standard tires.

It is generally not a good idea to use flotation tires on passenger vehicles, as they may not provide the same level of performance or safety. It is important to choose tires that are appropriate for your vehicle's specific make and model and designed for the type of driving you do.

Photo 37904412 / Dump Truck Stuart Patterson | Dreamstime.com