Real world differences between wheel sizes

[csirnak]

Who has upgraded from 17s to larger? And do you regret it? How does it ride and handle? How does it do off-road? What differences have you noticed? 18s? 20s?

 

[Jimbo]

Largest I'd go is 18"s like @The Macf has. Anything more, is not going to see a lot of off-road use. Yes, there are trucks running on 20"s flogging it off-road and they hold up fine, but me, I'd prefer more sidewall to absorb, handle, and protect that wheel.

 

[O2ShootTheJ]

As someone who has always had 20"+ on my trucks, I think Raptors look silly with wheels that big. It's not what it's meant for. Just looks wrong without a 17 or 18

For most people you aren't going to notice much of a different in handling and off road performance. Every day driving you are going to have a more cushiony ride with a 17/18 vs a 20 because you have more tire to eat up the bumps.

Another thing to factor in is tire prices. Some wheel sizes the price skyrockets for tires.

 

[HAYNES OFFROAD]

I'd prefer more sidewall to absorb, handle, and protect that wheel.

Not only does more sidewall protect that wheel, it reduces shock loading to the entire truck. Tire deflection is just as important as the rest of your suspension (more so on offroad applications, street/performance cars do not see "as much" of the advantages as they obviously dont tackle the same terrain, actually, rim flexibility actually plays more a part here, look at any slow-mo of any race car and watch how much the wheel flexes)

 

[pat'sRAPTOR]

I've seen a few raptors with 20's break their beads off road because they aired down too much. You can't air down as much with 20's like you can with 17's

 

[DrippinRaptor]

20s are redonkulous.

 

[csirnak]

So everyone says no 20s. Fair enough!

But what is the difference between 17s and 18s ride/durability wise? Anything?

 

[KaiserM715]

Moved to Wheels and Tires forum.