38x11.50-17 Tire Size

All You Need to Know About 38x11.50-17 Tires

A 38x11.50-17 is a flotation tire with an approximate 38-inch overall diameter and an 11.5-inch section width on a 17-inch wheel. Critical availability note: 38x11.50-17 in the non-radial hyphenated format (-) is extremely rare in current commercial tire catalogs. No major production tire brand (BFGoodrich, Nitto, Toyo, Falken, Mickey Thompson, Maxxis) manufactures a widely distributed 38-inch tire at 11.50-inch width as of this writing.

Buyers researching 38x11.50-17 size should verify current inventory with suppliers before building around it. For confirmed radial construction in this diameter and width, the 38X11.50R17 is the format more likely to appear in specialty and custom-order catalogs - though availability remains limited at that designation as well.

The more commonly available 38-inch options in commerce, closer to 38x11.50-17 size, are wider flotation sizes (38X13.50R17, 38X15.50R17) and radial constructions. The narrower 11.50-inch profile at 38 inches remains a specialty or custom-order category.

38x11.50-17 Size Quick Specs

What 38x11.50-17 Means

• 38 = approximate overall tire diameter in inches
• 11.50 = approximate section width in inches
• 17 = wheel diameter in inches
• No construction letter = construction type not specified

Why 38x11.50-17 Is a Specialty Size

38x11.50-17 exceeds the diameter range used on most modified trucks and Jeeps, which typically top out at 35 or 37 inches. Fitting the 38x11.50-17 involves meaningful vehicle modification:

• Suspension lift of at least 4–6 inches (vehicle-dependent)
• Fender trimming or tube flaring
• Axle gearing recalculation
• Potential steering geometry correction
• Inner fender removal or major modification

Who Typically Uses 38x11.50-17 Tires

• Competition rock crawlers with custom-fabricated suspension
• Custom Jeep builds targeting specific clearance specifications
• Modified solid-axle trucks with purpose-built fender structures

The 38x11.50-17 size is not suitable for vehicles near factory ride height or standard lift kits.

The 38x11.50-17's narrow 11.50-inch section width reduces one packaging variable but does not eliminate the clearance requirements driven by its 38-inch diameter.

38x11.50-17 vs 37x11.50-17

The 1-inch diameter difference between 37x11.50-17 and 38x11.50-17 translates to only ~0.5 inches of additional axle clearance. This means a marginal gain that requires a meaningfully more complex fitment than the 37x11.50-17 already demands. Most builders who have outgrown the 37x11.50-17 skip the 38-inch category entirely and move to 40-inch tires, where the clearance gain justifies the additional suspension, gearing, and fender work required.