By the Rims & Tires Team
Compiled & reviewed by our West Georgia tire & wheel research team · Updated 2026-07-24
33-inch tires are the most popular first-step upgrade for truck and Jeep owners. They fit most mid-size and full-size trucks with a leveling kit or mild lift — and even some stock-height trucks with good offset wheels. The two most common 33-inch sizes are 285/70R17 and 33x12.50R17. Both measure approximately 32.7 to 33 inches in diameter; the 33x12.50 is wider.
285/70R17 vs 33x12.50R17 — Which 33-Inch Size?
285/70R17 (metric): 285mm wide, 33.0 inches tall on a 17-inch wheel. This is the narrower 33-inch tire — fits more vehicles without modification. Better for daily driving, slightly better fuel economy, and lower highway noise than the wide version.
33x12.50R17 (flotation): 12.50 inches (318mm) wide, 33 inches tall on 17-inch wheel. Wider, more aggressive appearance, better side-bite for rock crawling. More likely to rub on stock-height vehicles at full lock.
For daily-driven trucks: 285/70R17 is the sensible choice. For Jeep Wranglers and dedicated off-road trucks: 33x12.50R17 is the classic choice.
33-inch equivalents in other wheel sizes: 265/75R16 (common on older trucks), 285/75R16, 285/70R17, 305/65R17, 285/65R18, 275/65R20.
Best 33-Inch All-Terrain Tires
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in 285/70R17 or 33x12.50R17: the gold-standard A/T tire. Exceptional off-road traction including rock and snow, quiet for an A/T, and extremely long tread life. The most trusted A/T for serious off-road use.
Falken Wildpeak A/T3W in 285/70R17: consistently ranked alongside the KO2 at a lower price. 3PMSF winter certified, stiff sidewall for trail use, available in a wide range of sizes. Strong value for West Georgia truck owners.
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 in 285/70R17: Nitto's popular A/T with aggressive style and solid off-road performance. Quieter than most A/Ts in the 285/70R17 size.
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac in 285/70R17: Goodyear's aggressive A/T — more mud-capable than the KO2 while maintaining highway manners. Self-cleaning tread for muddy conditions.
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Best 33-Inch Mud-Terrain Tires
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 in 33x12.50R17: the premium mud-terrain choice. Aggressive look, serious off-road capability, surprisingly acceptable highway noise for an M/T.
Nitto Trail Grappler M/T in 33x12.50R17: very popular in the Southeast for its aggressive appearance and confident mud and rock performance. Widely available at West Georgia tire shops.
Toyo Open Country M/T in 33x12.50R17: strong mud terrain from Toyo with a shoulder design optimized for rock crawling. Available in 33-inch sizes.
Frequently asked
Do 33-inch tires fit without a lift?
Sometimes — depends on the vehicle. Jeep Wranglers fit 33-inch tires stock. Most half-ton trucks (Silverado, F-150, Ram 1500) need a leveling kit or 2-inch lift to clear 285/70R17 without rubbing. The wider 33x12.50R17 typically requires a lift on most trucks.
Do I need a speedometer recalibration with 33-inch tires?
If your OEM tires were significantly smaller than 33 inches, yes. Most modern trucks with in-dash computers will show a slight speedometer error. Many tuners (for Ford, GM, Ram) can recalibrate the speedometer for the new tire size.
What is the most popular 33-inch tire?
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 consistently leads sales and reviews for the 33-inch size class. The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W offers comparable performance at lower cost.
Will 33-inch tires hurt my fuel economy?
A little, yes. The taller, heavier tire and the more aggressive tread both add rolling resistance, so expect to give up a mile or two per gallon depending on the tire you pick. An all-terrain in the narrower size costs you less at the pump than a wide mud-terrain. For most owners the look and capability are worth the tradeoff, just go in expecting it.
Should I get 33s installed at a local shop or do it myself?
Mounting and balancing a 33 the right way takes equipment most people don't have in the garage, and a bad balance shows up as a shake at highway speed. A West Georgia shop that does truck and off-road work can mount, balance, and handle the speedometer calibration in one visit. That's the move if you want it done once and done right.
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Last updated 2026-07-24. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.