Disadvantages of Bigger Wheels ??

alradco · Sep 7, 2012

My tires are a few months from needing replacement so I thought I'd explore some options. Currently run 37 x 13.5 Toyo tires on 17" wheels. I was thinking about going to a bigger wheel, maybe a 20" or so. The tire diameter will probably stay the same.

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to doing this? I tow a boat or trailer on a regular basis, about 6-7k lbs. Occosianlly pull a big toyhauler, about 18k into the sand dunes.

I have some videos of me pulling out stuck trucks in the sand and don't want to be one of them.

Thanks

Peter

whitetailreflex · Sep 7, 2012

The bigger wheels mean less sidewall so a benefit would be more stability when towing but also less buoyancy on the sand, I ran 35-12.50/20 on the sand and no problems at all.

stroker2 · Sep 7, 2012

Bigger wheels seems to be a more expensive wheel and tires are more expensive

Charles · Sep 7, 2012

They put greater stresses on the driveline if you're pushing hard on your truck. The smaller sidewall gives less shock absorption. The tires will chirp more and the trans will take more hell, power per power vs a big fat sidewall to flex and wrinkle on the shifts.

alradco · Sep 7, 2012

Thanks for the input. I definitely don't want to put more strain the trans or driveline. Already broke a shaft before and just had the trans built. Planning on adding traction bars to help. Sounds like I should just stick with my current setup. Thanks for the input.

Oh and for fun... :ford:

YouTube Video

GreenF350 · Sep 7, 2012

Another downside...Bigger rims look terrible. :evil At least I think so. I only know a few other people that think that though so...each to their own. Had to post it though, you asked.

oke:
-Aaron

chappy · Sep 15, 2012

I Actually think my truck does better in the sand with the 35's and 20's vs old 16's and 35's. Downside would be they are heavier. I could tell an immediate difference with the added weight but toyos mt's are also really heavy so that don't help. 16's and 35's feel light as hell compared to these but its worth it to me.

ToMang07 · Sep 16, 2012

stroker2 said:
Bigger wheels seems to be a more expensive wheel and tires are more expensive

Charles said:
They put greater stresses on the driveline if you're pushing hard on your truck. The smaller sidewall gives less shock absorption. The tires will chirp more and the trans will take more hell, power per power vs a big fat sidewall to flex and wrinkle on the shifts.

GreenF350 said:
Another downside...Bigger rims look terrible. :evil At least I think so. I only know a few other people that think that though so...each to their own. Had to post it though, you asked. oke:
-Aaron

^I agree with all of the above. :thumbup:

I like the larger sidewall because you can let air out and drive over large obstacles like rocks or logs with less risk of damage to your wheels.

TyCorr · Sep 16, 2012

I ditched my 16s for 20s in April and I've not.found any negatives other than people coming up and looking at my wheels and asking questions. The wheels changed the whole look of my truck.

chappy · Sep 16, 2012

I will also add that I have been accused of being of african origin because of my 20's . Since I am a country boy I take offence to that. People don't realize that brand new trucks from the factory come with 20's now from the factory so WHy they make smart ass comments to me I don't understand.

TyCorr · Sep 16, 2012

chappy said:
I will also add that I have been accused of being of african origin because of my 20's . Since I am a country boy I take offence to that. People don't realize that brand new trucks from the factory come with 20's now from the factory so WHy they make smart ass comments to me I don't understand.

These people giving you chit? Are they driving an 86 chevy rc/sb on 33's? Got a greaseball 350with a chrome edelbrock air cleaner? Oh and they talk about "I plan to throw a big blawk in there someday" those are the asshats I have to deal with. They get mad when you're pulling em out of snow they are stuck in, while you are in 2wd.

I call them idiots but your free to label them as you want!

Erikclaw · Sep 16, 2012

I ran 20's for a couple of years and found no downsides to them. To the ass hats that made that statement, you should laugh at them and why does it offend you? Just shake your head and walk away. I run 22's now and won't go any bigger, it is almost too big for 37's. But it did make my truck look completely different now for sure. "baller" LOL

STROKIN N STYLE · Sep 16, 2012

It has reached baller status Eric!

sent from somewhere in the country

GreenF350 · Sep 16, 2012

I know of a few people that have bought trucks with 20's or bigger on it that have sold or thrown them away in favor of 17's. I'm almost positive it comes down to personal preference 99% of the time. That being said, I want pictures if anyone sees someone rock crawling with low profile tires, say a Jeep with some 24" rims and 35's or 37's.
-Aaron

Magnum PD · Sep 16, 2012

I worry about more strain on the wheel bearings. Wear out faster?

TyCorr · Sep 16, 2012

GreenF350 said:
I know of a few people that have bought trucks with 20's or bigger on it that have sold or thrown them away in favor of 17's. I'm almost positive it comes down to personal preference 99% of the time. That being said, I want pictures if anyone sees someone rock crawling with low profile tires, say a Jeep with some 24" rims and 35's or 37's.
-Aaron

Lots of rockcrawler , streetlegal, diesel.trucks out there?

GreenF350 · Sep 16, 2012

GreenF350 said:
I know of a few people that have bought trucks with 20's or bigger on it that have sold or thrown them away in favor of 17's. I'm almost positive it comes down to personal preference 99% of the time. That being said, I want pictures if anyone sees someone rock crawling with low profile tires, say a Jeep with some 24" rims and 35's or 37's.
-Aaron

I did say Jeep, but I've seen a few diesel trucks try their luck on some rocks. (Didn't work out very good as you might imagine though)
-Aaron

Charles · Sep 17, 2012

I actually run 24" rims on my dedicated rock truck...

MINK · Sep 17, 2012

GreenF350 said:
I know of a few people that have bought trucks with 20's or bigger on it that have sold or thrown them away in favor of 17's. I'm almost positive it comes down to personal preference 99% of the time. That being said, I want pictures if anyone sees someone rock crawling with low profile tires, say a Jeep with some 24" rims and 35's or 37's.
-Aaron

LOL

powerstrokin15 · Sep 17, 2012

too funny. I have found no downside in stepping from 18 and 35s to 20 and 35s. and I'm offroad often. in mud mind you though. I like my 20s 100% better. feels the wheel well much better.

Eric@HolderdownPerformance