475/500-20 Tire Size Guide

The 475/500-20 is a vintage numeric tire size that uses two nominal width references and a rim diameter. In this code, 4.75 and 5.00 identify the narrow width family associated with the size, while 20 designates the wheel diameter in inches the tire is built to fit.

Modern P-metric sizing works differently because it states width in millimeters, includes an aspect ratio, and then identifies construction and rim diameter. The 475/500-20 format does not directly spell out sidewall proportion in that way, so buyers need to focus on the actual wheel diameter, the narrow antique-era proportions, and the intended vintage application when comparing it to other sizes.

The 475/500-20 fits a 20.0-inch wheel, which is 508.0 millimeters in diameter. That bead-seat diameter must match exactly, because a tire built for a 20-inch rim will not mount correctly on any other wheel diameter.

Wheel width matters too. Products in this size fit rims from 2.50 to 3.00 inches wide, which is much narrower than later passenger-car wheels. Before choosing the size, confirm both the wheel diameter and the actual rim width on the vehicle, since antique wheels are often swapped, repaired, or replaced over the years and can vary from original specifications.

The 475/500-20 has a section width of 4.75 inches, which is about 120.7 millimeters. Section width is measured at the widest point of the inflated tire's sidewalls rather than across the tread face itself.

Clearance work should be based on section width, not tread width, because the sidewalls are what usually come closest to fenders, springs, steering arms, and brake components. On a narrow antique fitment like this one, even small wheel-width changes can affect how the sidewall stands on the rim, so the mounted shape still needs to be checked on the actual vehicle.

Yes. 47550020 is simply an alternate way of writing the 475/500-20 without punctuation. The size meaning does not change, and both notations refer to the same basic vintage tire format and 20-inch wheel diameter.

Older tire sizes are often written with spaces, dashes, slashes, or no separators at all, especially in parts books, old service records, and reproduction catalogs. When comparing listings, focus on the full number sequence and the 20-inch rim designation rather than the punctuation style. Buyers should still confirm wheel width, load needs, and the intended vehicle use before treating two listings as interchangeable.

The 475/500-20 is commonly a tube-type fitment and is often set up with a tube. Even so, tube use is a wheel-and-tire-system question rather than a size question by itself, so the final decision should be confirmed against the actual wheel and tire being used.

Many antique wheels were designed around tube-type service, and age, rim condition, and bead-seat design all affect how the tire should be installed. If the wheel has any doubt around sealing surface condition or original construction, confirm the setup before mounting. Using the correct tube, flap where required, and compatible rim condition matters as much as choosing the right size code.

The 475/500-20 weighs about 20 to 22 pounds per tire, depending on the specific construction and sidewall version. That spread is normal in a vintage size where different casings and styling details can change the finished tire weight slightly.

Weight is not usually the first fitment concern on an antique application, but it does affect unsprung mass and can slightly influence steering effort and ride response. When replacing only one or two tires, it is smart to keep the set as consistent as possible in construction and overall character so the vehicle retains balanced behavior and a uniform appearance.

The 475/500-20 is associated with antique and prewar to early postwar passenger cars and light trucks. It is a narrow, tall bias-ply size from an era when wheel diameters were large and tire section widths were much slimmer than later postwar and modern standards.

Fitment should be treated as a starting point rather than a blanket answer, because antique vehicles can carry replacement wheels, altered brakes, or suspension changes made decades after they left the factory. Original owner documentation, surviving tire placards, and careful measurement of wheel and fender clearance are still the best guides when deciding whether the 475/500-20 belongs on a specific vehicle.

The 475/500-20 fits rims from 2.50 to 3.00 inches wide. Staying within that range helps the tire maintain the profile it was built around and keeps the casing from being pinched too tightly or spread too flat on the wheel.

A narrow antique tire can change shape noticeably when mounted on the wrong wheel width, which affects appearance as well as how the vehicle steers and tracks. Before installation, verify the actual inside bead-seat width of the wheel rather than relying on an old wheel description. Measuring the wheel directly is especially important when dealing with restored or mixed-origin vintage wheels.

The 475/500-20 is often a strong fit for restorations of antique vehicles that originally used narrow, tall bias-ply tires. Bias-ply construction generally preserves the visual character and driving feel expected from prewar and early postwar vehicles better than a later-style radial substitute would.

Restoration accuracy still depends on more than the size alone. Sidewall treatment, wheel width, and the exact application matter if the goal is factory-style presentation or judged authenticity. Compare the size against original documentation and the vehicle's current wheel setup before making a final decision, especially if the car or truck has been modified during an earlier restoration.

The 475/500-20 uses bias-ply construction, so it typically delivers a more vintage driving character than a modern radial. Owners can expect more sidewall influence in steering feel, a different response to road grooves, and a ride quality that reflects the way antique chassis were originally engineered.

Driving experience depends heavily on the rest of the vehicle. Suspension wear, steering play, alignment settings, wheel trueness, and tire age all affect how an antique bias-ply setup behaves on the road. On a well-sorted vehicle, the size can feel authentic and appropriate, but buyers should not expect the same straight-line tracking and response they would get from a modern daily-driver radial package.

The 475/500-20 can provide the compliant, tall-sidewall feel expected from an antique bias-ply tire, especially at the modest speeds and road conditions these vehicles were built around. Its narrow casing and large wheel diameter contribute to the upright appearance and traditional ride character common to prewar-era fitments.

Comfort is influenced by more than tire size. Seat design, suspension type, wheel condition, and inflation appropriate to the specific tire all shape how the vehicle feels on the road. Buyers using an antique vehicle for tours should inspect the full chassis carefully and keep expectations aligned with vintage design, since period-correct ride quality is different from the isolation of a modern passenger car.

Wheel width has a noticeable effect on the 475/500-20 because this is a very narrow tire built for rims from 2.50 to 3.00 inches wide. Within that range, the tire keeps the profile and sidewall shape it was designed to have, which helps preserve predictable vintage road manners.

Moving outside the proper wheel-width range can alter sidewall shape, steering effort, and the way the vehicle reacts over uneven pavement. On antique applications, even a small mismatch can change stance and visual proportion as well. If the goal is original-style behavior, keep the wheel dimensions consistent across the set and avoid mixing old wheels with noticeably different widths or rim profiles.

The 475/500-20 is available from BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Firestone, and Lester. All four are offered in bias-ply construction, which keeps the size aligned with the antique vehicle applications it is commonly associated with.

Brand choice in a vintage size like this should start with the kind of build you are doing. Some buyers place the most emphasis on authentic appearance, while others prioritize uniformity across a touring set. Compare sidewall styling, weight, load rating where stated, and overall visual character so the finished set matches both the vehicle and the owner's restoration goals.

A quality 475/500-20 choice starts with the basics: correct bias-ply construction, proper 20-inch rim fit, compatibility with 2.50 to 3.00 inch wheel widths, and a load rating that suits the vehicle. In a specialty antique size, dimensional accuracy and casing consistency are just as important as the brand name on the sidewall.

Vintage buyers should also think in terms of the complete set rather than one tire at a time. Matching construction, sidewall style, and overall visual profile across all four tires helps preserve even handling and a coherent period look. When replacing only part of a set, compare the remaining tires closely so differences in age, shape, or styling do not stand out on the finished vehicle.

The 475/500-20 is available in both blackwall and whitewall versions. Choosing between them is mainly an appearance decision tied to the era, trim level, and finished presentation you want the vehicle to have.

Whitewalls can dramatically change the visual character of an antique car, while blackwalls usually deliver a more restrained or utility-oriented look. The right answer depends on how the vehicle was originally equipped and how strictly the restoration follows factory practice. If authenticity matters, compare period photos, original sales literature, and surviving trim details before settling on the sidewall style.

The 475/500-20 should be stored with the same care as any antique bias-ply tire: away from direct sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or battery chargers. Clean, dry indoor storage helps preserve the casing and sidewall appearance during long periods when the vehicle is not in use.

Collector vehicles often accumulate very little mileage, but time still ages the rubber. During off-season storage, keep an eye on inflation, move the vehicle occasionally if practical, and inspect for flat spotting, cracks, cuts, or sidewall changes before putting it back on the road. Stored tires can look usable while still aging out, so visual checks should be routine.

Tread depth alone does not determine whether the 475/500-20 is still serviceable. Antique tires can age out long before the tread is worn down, especially if they spend years parked, see little use, or have been exposed to heat, sunlight, or poor storage conditions.

Rubber condition matters more than mileage on many collector vehicles. Inspect the sidewalls and tread for cracking, hardening, bulges, separations, or persistent air loss, and look at the entire set rather than one tire in isolation. If there is any uncertainty about age-related deterioration, have the tires evaluated before continued road use or before taking the vehicle on a longer drive.

The 475/500-20 is commonly a tube-type fitment, so maintenance should include the complete assembly rather than just the outer tire. Air retention, wheel condition, valve stem condition, and the compatibility of the tube with the tire and rim all matter to long-term reliability.

Regular inspection is important because leaks, chafing, and rim-surface issues can affect tube service even when the tread looks fine. When a tire is dismounted, inspect the inside of the casing and the wheel carefully instead of reusing parts by habit. A tube installation that was acceptable years ago may need attention now if the wheel has corrosion or the tire has aged significantly.

The 475/500-20 should be replaced when it shows cracking, bulges, cuts, persistent air loss, visible casing problems, or other signs of age-related deterioration, even if tread remains. Antique bias-ply tires often age out from time and storage conditions before they wear out from mileage.

Roadworthiness on an older vehicle depends on the whole combination of tire condition, wheel condition, load carried, and how the vehicle is used. Before longer trips, inspect each tire closely and do not assume a low-mileage antique tire is automatically ready for service. If condition or age is in doubt, a qualified tire professional should evaluate the assembly before continued use.

In this size, stated load ratings reach 1,170 lb at 32 psi on products that publish a load figure. That number should be checked against the actual weight the vehicle places on each tire, rather than treated as a general answer for every antique application using the size.

Load verification matters because prewar and early postwar vehicles vary widely in curb weight, passenger count, luggage use, and wheel equipment. Match the tire's stated load capability to the real service demands of the vehicle, and keep the set consistent from corner to corner. When comparing tires in this size, always keep the load figure tied to its stated inflation pressure.

Before using the 475/500-20 on modern roads, confirm the tire's overall condition, the wheel's condition, the correct 20-inch rim diameter, the proper 2.50 to 3.00 inch wheel width, and whether the assembly is being run with the appropriate tube setup. Those checks matter more on an antique fitment than the size code alone.

Current road speeds, pavement quality, and trip distances can place demands on an old vehicle that differ from its original use. Review the sidewall markings on the actual tires being used, confirm load requirements, and inspect the vehicle before any sustained drive. Local equipment requirements can also vary, so buyers should review current rules rather than assuming an antique setup is treated the same everywhere.