20" vs. 18"

[Cummins Dog]

Just a kinda "I'm curious" general question about tires/wheels for our trucks. What are the advantages or disadvantages of 20s vs. 18s or vice versa if the tire diameter and width is basically the same?

Just my thought on this, and I could be totally wrong with my theory, but to me, the larger sidewall of the 18" tire gives you a little more "padding" or "flex" or whatever you want to call it over the 20s when you hit obstacles like rocks and such before your wheel takes a hit.

What do you think?

 

[Sgt_Rattlehead]

Just a kinda "I'm curious" general question about tires/wheels for our trucks. What are the advantages or disadvantages of 20s vs. 18s or vice versa if the tire diameter and width is basically the same?

Just my thought on this, and I could be totally wrong with my theory, but to me, the larger sidewall of the 18" tire gives you a little more "padding" or "flex" or whatever you want to call it over the 20s when you hit obstacles like rocks and such before your wheel takes a hit.

What do you think?

well you are correct on your theory, if u have more sidewall u got more flex and less prone to rim damage, however, it all depends on what u plan to do with your rig. mudding vs towing vs crawling vs daily driver... theres just a lot to consider depending on what you plan on doing with it.

 

[RusslRam]

What the Sgt said. Also look at availability and selection of tire brand, price, and size for each size rim. That way when u burn out the tread on the first set your options aren't limited when replacing. In the end it's all up to your preference of performance and style. Good luck, IMHO wheel package is definitely one of the toughest decision.

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[Sgt_Rattlehead]

What the Sgt said. Also look at availability and selection of tire brand, price, and size for each size rim. That way when u burn out the tread on the first set your options aren't limited when replacing. In the end it's all up to your preference of performance and style. Good luck, IMHO wheel package is definitely one of the toughest decision.

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great point, TIRE SIZE!!!!! make sure u get a common tire size or youll go broke when u have to replace them... tires have turned into highway robbery, its riduculous how expensive they have gotten

 

[DannyMK2]

18's ride better on the street and have more sidewall protection off road. 20's handle better on the street.

 

[WilliamS]

Sidewall can make or break your truck. 18 inch wheel with 33 inch tires is a good ratio. Will soak up slightly more road imperfections than the 20 inch wheel if its the same tire. Too big of a side wall can make the truck bouncy like its on balloons, to low of a tire can make it ride like a freight train. 18's are a good wheel for our trucks for most of what we will run for tires.

The tire makes just as big an impact as the size though. A stiff sidewall on a large side wall tire can be rougher feeling than a soft side wall continental on a larger wheel.

At the end of the day it is a truck it rides good and tires can improve it, but the best advice I have seen so far in this thread is check the pricing of the tires you plan to run! Sometimes an 18 inch tire can cost more to is 20 inch equivalent.

 

[SYKRAMMAN]

It all depends on how many ply's you have.
If it's 3 ply then it will be a very soft ride and grip better but more susceptible to damage, now if you have 8 or 10 ply then it's like not having suspension at all, very rough ride but very durable. i have 275/70/20's with 6 ply, no complaints here.

 

[69GWC]

Plus you have the looks, do you like the look of more side wall or less side wall.
Myself I like a bigger side wall for looks, ride and off road ability.

 

[sticknstring]

If you will actually be off-road get smaller wheels. If it's a pavement pounder the bigger wheels look better. Off-roading with not enough tire can ruin rims if you hit something too hard.


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[Sgt_Rattlehead]

another note to add, and i dont mean to talk down to anyone but it needs to be said, if u mostly drive your rig on the street, DO NOT buy mudding tires or you will go broke replacing them (and their also loud as ****)

 

[69GWC]

Well that really depends on the tires, some MTs are not that loud and some of them will last for 40 to 50k which is not bad at all.
Put 55k on a set of BFG MTs on my 02 2500 and were not loud either.

 

[Aileron516]

33x12.5 on stock 20s are fantastic