20s Offroad?

[Tohopko]

This is for the 2019 Classic Bighorn. Truck currently has black 20s, and I picked up a set of polished Sport wheels to throw on when I upgrade tires (when the other two trucks sell!). I'm planning to lift 2" in the front, 1" in the rear with a topper. I'm planning 34" diameter tires.

I'm retired, so not a DD, but I do 8-10 long interstate trips per year, 12 hours days, sometimes 3-5 days at a time. Some of that time will be hauling a utility trailer, but nothing all that heavy. For that, I think the 20s are great. But I also do a fair amount of running around on ranch two tracks and forest service roads, often littered with jagged "baby heads" that are several inches in diameter. I'm debating how harsh the 20s are going to be on those surfaces, and thinking of going to 17 or 18" wheels (still with a 34" diameter)

SO...does anyone actually get into rougher terrain with the 20s with less than a 35" tire?

Oh yeah...post pics of your truck with 17s and 18s!

 

[KYPOTLICKER]

Light off road, more checking cattle and some creek crossing. Everyone has an opinion, yes 17 or 18's give you more sidewall, 20s and 34-35's work fine as well. Again, just my opinion

 

[Dark Knight G45]

Rebel HD comes standard with 20’s and they are pretty off-road focused but also smooth on the street

 

[sjhdu]

Not a Ram but my Jeep with 17" wheels and 31" tires has gone everywhere I dared take it. A 34" tire on a 20" rim will have the same amount the sidewall.

 

[Burla]

I was helping a young man who blew out his rim on a pot hole in front of my house when a chevy truck lowered came by the same pothole and he split his rim in half on it literally as we were using a spare on this kids car tire for the same exact thing. The chevy didnt have but a couple inches of sidewall. That pot hole didnt even phase my truck with rebels 18's on it. Bottom line the more sidewall you have the better your rims will be protected, kinda simple. So 20's on 34's will have less protection then 17's on 34's, but it is a balance and 20's generally are a better ride and better for mileage. If I was wheeling with 20's I would want a type of rim that had singles easily available for purchase, like rebel knock offs are. Maybe even buy a full size spare on the same wheels you have on, kind of an insurance policy if you ever break a rim on those. My gut says you wont break a rim, but never really know when light wheeling can become more heavy due to random features you run into offroad.

 

[wvfarrier]

I am running 295/65/20s on factory wheels on my 2021 1500. I have 3" lift and it handles incredible. I get a smidge of rubbing at full lock when off roading but so far no complaints

 

[Tohopko]

View attachment 535654
Not a Ram but my Jeep with 17" wheels and 31" tires has gone everywhere I dared take it. A 34" tire on a 20" rim will have the same amount the sidewall.

We have the same Jeep, Hemi included, 177K miles and still unstoppable!