38x13.50-17 Tire Size

All You Need to Know About 38x13.50-17 Tires

A 38x13.50-17 tire is a wide flotation tire with a nominal 38-inch overall diameter, a 13.5-inch section width, and a 17-inch wheel diameter. The hyphenated (-)format - 38x13.50-17, not 38X13.50R17 - identifies this tire size as a bias-ply (non-radial) construction tire. This is one of the less common sizes in the bias-ply flotation format; most buyers seeking a 38-inch tire on a 17-inch wheel choose the radial 38X13.50R17 for its better highway heat management and tread life.

38x13.50-17 Size Quick Specs

The following specifications reflect the 38x13.50-17 size class. Because bias-ply tires at this size are produced by a limited number of manufacturers, actual dimensions can vary more than in well-stocked sizes; confirm the manufacturer's published inflated diameter before purchase.

Note on 38x13.50-17 actual diameter: Flotation tires consistently measure smaller than their nominal stated size. Most 38x13.50-17 tires will measure approximately 37.0"-37.8" when mounted and inflated at operating pressure.

What 38x13.50-17 Means - Notation Explained

• 38 = nominal tire height in inches
• 13.50 = nominal tire width in inches
• -17 = 17-inch wheel diameter; the hyphen confirms bias-ply construction

The hyphen in place of "R" is the critical identifier. 38x13.50-17 is not the same as 38X13.50R17. They share nominal dimensions but differ in construction: the bias-ply 38x13.50-17 uses diagonal cord plies, which produce higher casing flex over rough terrain but also generate more heat at highway speeds and wear faster on pavement. The radial 38X13.50R17 uses perpendicular cords with a belt package, producing better heat control, longer tread life, and more stable on-road behavior.

38x13.50-17 vs 38X13.50R17: Construction Comparison

Both 38x13.50-17 and 38X13.50R17 tires have the same nominal diameter, section width, and wheel fitment. The following table identifies the construction-based performance differences that determine appropriate application.

For the radial version of this size, see 38X13.50R17. For the LT radial version, see LT38X13.50R17.

38x13.50-17 vs 37x13.50-17: Height Difference

Both 37x13.50-17 and 38x13.50-17 are bias-ply 13.5-inch-wide flotation tires on 17-inch wheels, differing only in nominal diameter. The 38x13.50-17 is one inch taller in nominal diameter than the 37x13.50-17. That extra inch of diameter adds approximately 0.5 inch of axle clearance at the differential housing - a meaningful gain in rock crawling applications. It also increases the tire's circumference (approximately 119 inches versus ~116 inches for the 37-inch), which requires a corresponding gearing correction to maintain equivalent engine RPM at a given road speed. Rotational mass also increases, placing additional load on wheel bearings, axle shafts, and braking systems.