18" vs 20" Wheels

[mojo]

Nitto Terra Grappler AT tires come in 20" D(XL) 8 ply and E 10 ply. I currently use them on both (XL) my F150 and Touareg (18's) for towing and they handle well. A 20" tire has a lower profile and generally has better handling due to the "firmer" sidewalls. The 18" tire/wheel in the same diameter will have a taller profile with more sidewall for a softer ride and better for off road use. But the difference is not that great so it all depends on what your intended use is and what pressure you set the tires at. Both will work for towing.

[Drathaar]

So far, my only whine about 20" wheels is that Ford recommends not using chains on them. I'll move heaven and earth to not tow an Airstream on snow again, but I would like to have chains for emergencies. My suspicion is the only issue is scratching of the rims.

I think I will buy some tire socks instead of chains.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by SteveH

There are several 20" E rated tires built, but the only size that will fit the original poster's considered GM 2500 is the Goodyear Wrangler SRA. No other tire manufacturer builds it, and that IMHO is the problem.

Dodge Ram uses a larger Firestone tire that I have not heard anything bad about, but it may be too soon, but that tire will not fit the GM 2500 as it's too tall.

I guess I should modify my post to say that I can't find any load range E 20's in the size that is on my Tundra.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

As you all know, I have driven quite a few hd2500s TVs. I have had both 18s and 20s on my demos. I note no noticeable difference in tow quality (ie. sidewall "waddle" etc.), but as Steve says, there are many more options with the 18"ers.

Thanks on experience. I doubt tire sizes on trucks will go down. That said, 19.5 LR-F and greater truck tires aren't going away I'd bet. Maybe 20 is where the thing will come to a rest.

I'd sure like to have the same tires on truck and trailer. But even 17's are too big to fit the TT.

[m.hony]

It is possible to have the same size tires on the truck and trailer if you have an older truck with 16's.

[slowmover]

Yeah, I think Bluto might be able to do that with Michelin XPS rib on his rig. All steel tire. I'd want to ask our tire engineers about a rotation schedule between vehicles; if such is feasible or advisable. But you have to admit it sure is attractive. Eight down and two up as spares.

[m.hony]

We do that with cargo trailers and 2007 Classic and earlier 2500HD Silverados and Sierras. Firestone TransForce HT 225/75R16's on everything- not the best tire, but $145-$165 each on our national account-

[slowmover]

Premium tire bought in fives every five years.

[Gnorts]

Originally Posted by m.hony

I guess I should modify my post to say that I can't find any load range E 20's in the size that is on my Tundra.

I'll second that - I couldn't find E-rated tires for the 20's on my Tundra either. I went with Michelin LTX MS2's and their load rating is high enough to handle the AS's tongue weight and *almost* all the stuff I haul in the truck.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by mojo

Nitto Terra Grappler AT tires come in 20" D(XL) 8 ply and E 10 ply. I currently use them on both (XL) my F150 and Touareg (18's) for towing and they handle well. A 20" tire has a lower profile and generally has better handling due to the "firmer" sidewalls. The 18" tire/wheel in the same diameter will have a taller profile with more sidewall for a softer ride and better for off road use. But the difference is not that great so it all depends on what your intended use is and what pressure you set the tires at. Both will work for towing.

+1 ...the lower aspect ratios on the larger tire/wheel combos do not afford the same protection to the wheel (pot holes and off-road) although they are usually a bit stiffer for a given overall tire diameter. We just faced this same question and opted for the 18" on our new 2500 D-max.

[Roadtech]

Well it seems that 18" wheels have won out over 20". Summarizing everyone's comments:
18" wheels:
1. Better ride quality
2. Lower cost
3. Better replacement tire selection
4. Better for off road use
5. Less rotating mass resulting in slightly better mpg and tire wear

20" wheels:
1. Looks better
2. Better handling due to less sidewall flex
3. Better brake ventilation

Did I leave out anything?

[dkottum]

Probably should capitalize and put in bold print #2 under 20" wheels.

[kingfisher24]

i took off the original maypops and replaced with michelin ms LTx(LESS THAN 200 EACH)…it was a new truck…20" tires that come standard OEMs with them ARE DANGEROUS…...

2013 GMC sierra denali

[dkottum]

In what way were the 20" OEM tires dangerous?

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Roadtech

I am looking to buy a 2015 Chevy 2500 HD 4x4 truck. I am wondering about ordering the optional 20" wheels. Are there any advantages to the larger wheels other than looks? Is the ride quality better or worse with the larger wheels? It is a pricey adder.

I just bought a 2015 2500HD Sierra with the 20" wheels, as they were part of the Denali package. I like the ride very much although I did not compare the ride with a truck with the 18". Apples to oranges but my 2006 F250 had 17" and I like the ride much better on the GMC.

The tires on the 20" rim are Goodyear Wrangler SR-A LT265/60-20. The spare on the 2500 is an 18" rim and has a Goodyear Wrangler SR-A LT265/70-18 tire. The outside diameter of the two tires is identical, so you do not have to run at reduced speed with the spare mounted on the wheel, even with the 20" rims.

As for cost, a set of 4 of the 20" tires at Tire Rack will cost you $684. A set of the 18" tires will cost you $836. There is a much better brand selection of the 18" tires though...

If I had a choice, I would probably just stick with the 18" rims as replacement selection is much better.

Here is a pic of my truck with the 20" wheels...

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by Roadtech

Well it seems that 18" wheels have won out over 20". Summarizing everyone's comments:
18" wheels:
1. Better ride quality
2. Lower cost
3. Better replacement tire selection
4. Better for off road use
5. Less rotating mass resulting in slightly better mpg and tire wear

20" wheels:
1. Looks better
2. Better handling due to less sidewall flex
3. Better brake ventilation

Did I leave out anything?

The 20" replacement tires are lower cost than the 18".

[m.hony]

I got lucky and got all 4 replaced for $500-
Same 20" Bridgestone Dueler HT Alenza that came on it from the factory-

[FishinHatteras]

I bit the bullet after my middle son put a tread gauge on my factory Goodyear Wranglers. 37,600 miles was all I got out of them. 3 of my 4 failed to pass inspection.
265/70/18 Michelin LTX A/T2's is what I ended up getting. I wanted the LTX M/S2's, but Michelin does not make that tire with a load rating of E. 2500's require the E rating.

I had price quotes all over the spectrum with Pep Boys leading the charge at $1435.17. Holy SHEET Batman!! Most stores were in the 1200 range, but I called Discount Tire, and got them for $1159.21, mounted, balanced, taxes, tags & title. Boy does it pay to shop around for tires of this nature. 60k mile warranty on 'em. I think the MS2's have an 80k mile warranty. NOT what I wanted to spend money on BEFORE St. Nick got here. Ride is pretty smooth, but for that kinda $, you would expect those things to make you breakfast.

[m.hony]

I replaced my original tires at 35,000 miles- not due to tread wear- I had plenty of tread left, but the tires were dry rotted due to age- the truck is a 2007 and the tires were original 7 year old tires- the tires are 65,000 miles tread life, but I will never get to 65,000 miles before the tires dry rot and the sidewalls crack. I now have 44,000 miles on the truck- 9,000+ miles of camping this year- woohoo!
This is why I don't buy the better, more expensive Michelin tires.
I wouldn't have bought the tires that day, but I wanted a rotation and the dealership told me the sidewalls were cracked and I really needed tires. They wanted $800 first, then $700. I'm like, "I'll wait. I really can't afford them now." The girl was like, "Let me go talk to my boss." She came back and said, "The boss said the rock bottom, buy-them-today price is $500." I replied, "Put 'em on there!"

[slowmover]

The price of the best tires on the truck is still cheap under that way of thinking, IMO. On the TT I'll step down to Goodrich LT if it looks like holding air is the hardest job over three years. Bridgestone Duravis or Michelin LTX otherwise.


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