Choosing the right rim and tire size: Monsters

Choosing the right rim and tire size: monsters

In this article we’ll discuss the rim and tire sizes in monster trucks. The range of monster tires are one of the messiest things about RC cars. Every manufacturer has their own tires and rims that differ in size compared to those by other manufacturers (Pro-Line Racing, Jconcepts) monster tires differ from other off-road tires in size and the rim mounting also differs from that in smaller cars.

There’s a huge selection of monster tires from 2.2” (1:10) to 3.8” (1:8). In addition to these, there are tires available in size 4.3”. What makes things more confusing is that some manufacturers have 1:10 “basic monster tire” in size 2.6” while others mainly have 2.8” tires.

If this makes choosing the right tire size seem overly complicated for you, you can go for pre-glued tires (tires glued on rims) where the product description should clearly state which cars the tires are compatible with.

Tip! If you buy the tires and rims separately, we recommend you get them from the same manufacturer, because this way you can be sure the glue surfaces on both items are compatible.

Mounting the tire

The most common mounting method in the monster rims is Hex mounting.

12 mm Hex

In the 1:10 size category the 12 hex mounting is most common, and it can also be found in smaller cars. The axle diameter tends to be larger in monster cars compared smaller cars.

14 mm Hex

14 mm Hex mounting is used in the bigger, 1:10 sized monsters, such as Traxxas E-Maxx and E-Revo. In these models, the axle diameter is also larger at the rim. 14 mm Hex mounting is common in 3.2”-3.6” rims.

17 mm Hex

17 mm Hex is the most common mounting in 1:10 and 1:8 monster Trucks. 17 mm Hex is the same as in 1:8 Buggies. The difference to other Hex mountings is that the mounting nut is much larger and the hole for the axle in the rim is also larger. Many manufacturers have made it possible to get adapters for their monster trucks that allow you to switch to 17 mm hex mounting.

Bearing mounting

You might find this mounting type in rims in the smaller rear-wheel driven cars in the 1:10 category. It’s used only in the front wheels of rear-wheel driven monsters. These days rims with bearing mounting are typically only available as original pieces by the manufacturer.

Seen in the picture 24mm hex (back), 12mm hex (left) and 17mm hex (right)

Wheel offset

Offset refers to the position of the rim in relation to the wheel hub. Few manufacturers state the offset of the original rim in their car, so it’s advisable to make a division between two different offsets as in 1:8 Truggies. On one hand you’ll have 0 offset wheels where the mounting point is on the outer side of the rim and on the other, you have ½ offset wheels where the mounting is closer to the center line of the wheel. This way you don’t have to stick to rims from only one manufacturer. Offset affects the total width of the car, but the most important thing is that the inner side of the wheels are far enough from the body during runs.

Seen in the picture: 0-offset on the left and 1/2-offset on the right

Tire sizes

Tire sizes are stated using the rim sizes. In monster Trucks the tire sizes are between 2.2”-4.3”. In monster Trucks, you can pick tires of different sizes than the original. The most important factors to consider when choosing tires are the outer diameter and width. If you want to have wider and larger tires in your truck, make sure there’s enough space for the wheels to spin. Often the front tires rub against the body when turning. You can make more space for the tires by installing widening Hexes to the car (Hex Hubs, if available) or use ½ offset rims.

2.2” - 2.4”

These sizes are not very common in monster Trucks. They were more common before, and these days you may find them in the Scale and Retro series. With these tire sizes, it’s advisable to play it safe and stick to the originals unless the biggest manufacturers have sets of tires and rims marked as compatible.

2.6” - 2.8”

This is a common size category in 1:10 monsters (for example Traxxas Stampede). The size 2.6” tires are common in older monsters and the newer ones tend to have 2.8” tires. When you’re about to switch to tires from a different manufacturer, compare the dimensions, the mounting method of the rim and the offset. The bigger manufacturers state the compatibility details in the product descriptions (Pro-Line, Jconcepts, Louise). In tires of this size category, the most common mounting methods are 12 mm and 14 Hexes.

The 2.6” size category also has “retro” solid axle rims and tires. These are considerably wider than the basic monster tires, thus the tires and rims are only compatible with each other. To make sure the tires and rims fit your car, go for rims and tires from the same manufacturer. Also make sure that the mounting fits your car.

Seen in the picture Jconcepts 2.6" X 3.6" retro monster tire

3.2” - 3.8”

Tires of this size category are mostly found in the 1:10 monsters (Traxxas Revo) and the 1:8 monsters. The outer dimensions of these tires may differ greatly, so if you’re replacing the original tires in your car make sure to check the rim offset and tire size. Pro-Line and Jconcepts state the compatibility details in the product descriptions.

Tip! Due to the differences in wheel diameters, it’s good to keep in mind that the different wheel diameter changes the final gearing of your car. Larger tires increase the final gearing (top speed and load are increased) and smaller tires reduce it (better acceleration and final gearing is reduced). Keep this in mind and monitor the motor temperature during runs.

Tire sizes above 4”

Tires this size are meant for big monster Trucks. At the time of writing this article this means Traxxas X-Maxx. The tires on the market are clearly marked to be compatible only with this car model. The tires are so large that they cannot be used in smaller cars.

Different tire sizes seen in the picture:  from the left 4.3", 3.8" and 2.8"