Towing question: 17" Wheels versus 18" Wheels?

[manley]

Why does the NHT package only come with 17" wheels? (If you have the Z71 package, the NHT is not available). Is the 17" wheel & tire combo more capable? I know that tire options are significantly more for a 17" than an 18", which allows you to stay at the same size but opt for an LT tire instead of a P tire...

 

The 17" and 18" tire sizes are essentially the same:

P 265 / 65R 18 - 10.4" wide, 31.6" tall, with weight capacity of 2,469 pound.

P 265 / 70R 17 - 10.5" wide, 31.7" tall, with weight capacity of 2,535 pounds

 

What am I missing, and why are the 17" wheels & tires rated to carry more?

Does more sidewall give you more towing capacity?

 

I want something that looks a little different, but not aftermarket, and am SERIOUSLY considering swapping my 18" Z71 "standard" wheel/tire combos for a 17" set like this:

[music]

The 17" wheel gives you more sidewall/cushion/air, which matters most when you hit potholes and such with a heavy load. I don't know how much different an 18 is, but lots of folks tow with 18's. I think the stock wheel size on the newer Tundra is 18, but the OD on the tire is the same as a 265/70/17. I personally prefer more "meat" and less wheel, but I tow pretty heavy.

[Morgan1986]

Yes more side wall gives you more towing capacity . The side wall is the most weak part of a tire. The big rims are just for show and not work . Those trucks with big shiny rims are just toy trucks .

[travis73]

I tow with 17" wheels and have had great luck,the guys I talk to with 18's or 20's,have been complaining about stability when trailering,you would think the less sidewall the better it would handle with a trailer but apparently it is just the opposite.

[SouthCo]

Tire weight capacity and not wheel diameter will have more to do with towing capacity. So if you think only tire sidewall matters than the big boys would be running 15" wheels instead of 17"? Makes no sense.

[Morgan1986]

Usually the bigger rims are just for show . There not that strong and then the tire is weaker to boot.

[MikeNH]

Probably just a matter of the weight rating if I had to guess. I thought the NHTs got LT rated tires but I was wrong, maybe the 17" still has a higher load rating than the 18" size? I wouldn't let the small increase in towing force you to the NHT myself- if you like how the Z71 wheels look more than get a 6.2 with that package. It's insane to tow a max load with a half ton so that extra bit of capacity is a non issue in my book. The most I'd tow with any half ton would probably be 7000 lbs anyway. If I had to do more than that I'd want a HD truck. The comments about 18a not being for real trucks is stupid, ignore those. I hate how the current Chevy 17s look and regardless my truck with its "toy" 18s will do anything a similar truck with 17s can do.

[music]

The smaller dia wheels are a little stronger, but the extra sidewall flex in the taller profile tire absorbs road shock better. An 18 is only a little worse, but 20's are getting a bit crazy with a standard 6-lug cast wheel and a heavy load. I tow a heavy (7000 lbs loaded) camper quite a bit, and appreciate all the sidewall I can get when hitting a pothole @ 65 mph. I'm not overly worried about the tires, it's the karate chop to the wheels/lugs. That said, I would tow my camper with 18's without much more worry... but I prefer the 17 (which is the smallest we can go to clear the brakes).

[manley]

Does anyone know if the rims pictured above will work on my 2010 with the 17" rear discs?

Thanks!

[MikeNH]

The pic up top is the standard 17" GMC aluminum wheel, it will fit on any 1500 from 07+.

[Big Whiskey]

I've always liked those 17" GMC wheels...and those are the first Ive seen with a Chevy center cap...I think those would look really good! That being said, there are plenty of 18" tires available with a LT rating....if you like your current 18" rims, then just upgrade your tires. I agree that it seems strange to put P-rated tires on a truck...but that happens when companies are more concerned with MPG's and ride comfort. Finally, those comments about 18" or 20" rims & tires being weaker and just for show....that's just plain silly. There are plenty of HD trucks running around with 10-ply, load range E tires...on 18's or 20's...towing and hauling all sorts of heavy stuff, every day.

[manley]

I've always liked those 17" GMC wheels...and those are the first Ive seen with a Chevy center cap...I think those would look really good!

 

If I can get a decent deal on them, I'm going to do the deal. The guy's wife had surgery this week, and I'll know something (for sure) either tomorrow of Saturday. If I do the deal, I'll post a pic!

 

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

[Big Whiskey]

Sounds good man!

[music]

Finally, those comments about 18" or 20" rims & tires being weaker and just for show....that's just plain silly. There are plenty of HD trucks running around with 10-ply, load range E tires...on 18's or 20's...towing and hauling all sorts of heavy stuff, every day.

 

 

The aluminum wheels I've seen on the HD trucks are forged, and rated for the higher psi & stress. The 1500 Al wheels are cast.

[wurgs]

The tires will fail way before the rims do