LT38X13.50R17 Tire Size

All You Need to Know About LT38X13.50R17 Tires

LT38X13.50R17 is a Light Truck radial flotation size with a nominal 38-inch overall diameter, a 13.5-inch section width, radial construction, and a 17-inch wheel diameter. The LT prefix - placed before the size rather than as a suffix - is a manufacturer's notational convention that carries exactly the same meaning as the LT suffix seen in sizes like 38X13.50R17LT. Both designations indicate a Light Truck service casing built for higher load capacity, greater sidewall stiffness, and higher maximum inflation pressure than a standard flotation 38-inch tire.

LT38X13.50R17 Size Quick Specs

The following specifications reflect the LT38X13.50R17 size class. Load/inflation figures listed are from confirmed published specs for specific tire models - figures vary between models and load ranges, and should always be verified against the specific tire's published load table.

Load capacity data for LT38X13.50R17: Load Range C versions (e.g., Yokohama Geolandar M/T+) support up to approximately 3,000 lbs per tire at 35 psi. Load Range D versions (e.g., Nitto Trail Grappler M/T) support up to 3,195 lbs per tire at 50 psi. These figures are from published manufacturer specs for specific models - not universal values for the size. Always verify the load index for the tire model being purchased.

LT38X13.50R17 vs 38X13.50R17: The LT Difference

The following table compares LT38X13.50R17 against the standard flotation 38X13.50R17 tires with the same nominal size but different service category and casing construction.

LT38X13.50R17 vs LT37X13.50R17: Height Difference

Both LT38X13.50R17 and LT37X13.50R17 are LT-rated radial flotation tires in the 13.5-inch section width family, differing only in nominal diameter. LT38X13.50R17 is one inch taller in nominal diameter than a comparable LT 37-inch tire in this section width. The extra inch of nominal diameter adds approximately 0.5 inch of axle clearance and increases the rolling circumference by approximately 3 inches (~119" versus ~116" for the 37-inch), which shifts the effective gear ratio and may require a gearing re-evaluation on vehicles stepping up from LT37X13.50R17 to LT38X13.50R17. Actual measured diameter will run slightly under the nominal figure, depending on brand  (the Nitto Trail Grappler LT38X13.50R17 measures 37.76" inflated). 

For the standard (non-LT) radial version, see 38X13.50R17. For the bias-ply version, see 38x13.50-17. For the larger LT option in this width, see 40X13.50R17LT.