downsize wheels? upgrade tires/
09-09-2012, 09:42 PM
#1
downsize wheels? upgrade tires/
I'm so confused
Started out looking for New tires.
Now I'm looking for wheels and tires .
I'm thinking of dropping the 20s and getting 18's.
My thoughts on that are,,,better mpg and better ride. does that sound right? and to be perfectly honest ,I never liked the big wheels ,to ghetto for me, maybe 30 years ago but ????
I think stock right now I'm at 275 55 20. Whats size would give me an extra 1/2" in height with the 18" wheel
I like the height it sits at , could go a little bigger 1/2'-1" ,,,doesn't matter
90% of the ride is street (snow ,ice,rain),and we're in the snow belt 10 times a year.
I tow a 5000# trailer 10times a year.(do I need a E-load or can I do a
Iv been checking out Falken ,Michelin,GY,Hankook
Iv read the reviews but that's so scattered it makes my head bleed.
If I do stick with the 20's I was checkingout the falkens(i forget which ones)
Help
Started out looking for New tires.
Now I'm looking for wheels and tires .
I'm thinking of dropping the 20s and getting 18's.
My thoughts on that are,,,better mpg and better ride. does that sound right? and to be perfectly honest ,I never liked the big wheels ,to ghetto for me, maybe 30 years ago but ????
I think stock right now I'm at 275 55 20. Whats size would give me an extra 1/2" in height with the 18" wheel
I like the height it sits at , could go a little bigger 1/2'-1" ,,,doesn't matter
90% of the ride is street (snow ,ice,rain),and we're in the snow belt 10 times a year.
I tow a 5000# trailer 10times a year.(do I need a E-load or can I do a
Iv been checking out Falken ,Michelin,GY,Hankook
Iv read the reviews but that's so scattered it makes my head bleed.
If I do stick with the 20's I was checkingout the falkens(i forget which ones)
Help
09-09-2012, 10:28 PM
#2
Keepin' the lights on!
If you go with 18's, a 275/70/18 tire will be an inch taller (1/2" when mounted on your truck). Sounds like you need a good AT tire. BFG ATs always treated me good. A lot of folks praise the GY Duratrac too for its winter handling. I also hear that Coopers are good. I don't think you'll see any mpg benefits but maybe a smoother ride.
09-10-2012, 05:51 AM
#3
09-10-2012, 07:40 AM
#4
Senior Member
275/70R18 are 33.2in and what you have is 31.9in so a good inche taller.
You'll loose some mpg going with bigger tires and going from 20in to 18in rims won't change much in terms of ride quality when comparing same tires.
If you choose to go with 18in rims with 33in LT(E) tires to save gas and get better ride you'll be very disappointed because you'll just get the opposite.
If your driving on snow 10 times a year you should be fine with regular AT tires. My Cooper ZeonLTZ look very nice, are smooth, quiet and good overall AT tires but I get worst mileage because they are 33in.
Good luck
You'll loose some mpg going with bigger tires and going from 20in to 18in rims won't change much in terms of ride quality when comparing same tires.
If you choose to go with 18in rims with 33in LT(E) tires to save gas and get better ride you'll be very disappointed because you'll just get the opposite.
If your driving on snow 10 times a year you should be fine with regular AT tires. My Cooper ZeonLTZ look very nice, are smooth, quiet and good overall AT tires but I get worst mileage because they are 33in.
Good luck
Last edited by IronJoce; 09-10-2012 at 07:46 AM.
09-10-2012, 10:00 AM
#5
I have the factory 20's with Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza tires on my truck and it feels no different ride wise than my wife's that has the factory 18's with Goodyear Eagle's on it. If I can believe the Tirerack reviews, my Alenza's should be better all around than hers.
I took a 110 mile round trip yesterday at 70 mph and averaged 22 mpg. Compared to my 95 F150, that performance is about 244% better mpgs. I can't complain with my 20's.
I took a 110 mile round trip yesterday at 70 mph and averaged 22 mpg. Compared to my 95 F150, that performance is about 244% better mpgs. I can't complain with my 20's.