From 20" to 17" Wheels: Handling Penalty

[AzRamLover]

I was about to pull the trigger today to swap from 275/60/20 on the stock Laramie 20" alloys to 265/70/17 on American Racing 17" alloys and the guy warned me that both braking and handling would be severely negatively impacted.

Obviously, the sidewall flexes more and that will make increase cornering body roll but what about higher speed, sweeping turns (e.g., freeway connectors, highways through the mountains) and braking?

Can those of you who have made the switch comment on your experiences? Would you do it again?

 

[Islandtsi]

Well that really depends on the tires, but at the end of the day it's a truck, it handles fast turns like a pig no matter what tires are on it lol.

Braking wil not be impacted assuming you're new tires are equal or better to the oems in terms of traction

 

[dkmesa]

Yeah I bet there would be no difference in braking and no discernible change in handling. Unless you were pushing the limits handling wise before, normal driving turn-in and response should be pretty comparable.

 

[aplineman]

I went to 10 ply mt's on 17's from the stock 20's and it didn't affect anything except fuel mileage. Sidewalls are bigger but stiffer. I like the 17's, they are alot better when hauling a trailer.

 

[BlownGP]

Handling maybe since the taller sidewalls, but nothing you should notice unless you are taking cruvers at 80mph..lol

Braking should be better with lighter overall tires/wheels

 

[Dubsport]

I run 17's with studded winters and 20's in summer and have felt no adverse differences at all! Other than my winter wheels look like poop I can't tell the difference whatsoever!

 

[averageguy]

Yeah I bet there would be no difference in braking and no discernible change in handling. Unless you were pushing the limits handling wise before, normal driving turn-in and response should be pretty comparable.

X2. Might even ride better with a taller tire.

 

[Johnn123]

My truck came from the factory with stock 20's, but they were swapped for 17's before I bought it.

Truck should ride a little softer since you will have a taller sidewall. Braking and handling should be no different...
You may see a slight slight mpg increase dropping to smaller wheels since they will weigh less. If they are the steel chrome clad 20's.

 

[AzRamLover]

Thanks for all the opinions and confirmations, y'all!

I'll post a follow up to confirm.

 

[AzRamLover]

I went to 10 ply mt's on 17's from the stock 20's and it didn't affect anything except fuel mileage. Sidewalls are bigger but stiffer. I like the 17's, they are alot better when hauling a trailer.

I like your 17s also - how much benefit (or penalty) did you see in terms of fuel mileage?

 

[aplineman]

I went from around 20 to 17 mpg

 

[AzRamLover]

Thanks!