Wheel/tire size and snow

[Wolfmanjohn]

The NHT option on my truck kicked the 17x7.5 wheels with Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 265/70-17 tires, and so far I've been very unhappy with the performance of this combo in light rain and dry road conditions. Haven't had it in snow yet.

 

I'm considering going to factory 18" or 20" wheels with factory size tires, as I don't think I'll be doing any heavy towing. The truck will see some snow (the kind where CalTrans calls for 4WD/no chains) and very occasional use on cow-pattie laden moist hilly pasture and rutty dirt roads. Question: assuming similar, good grade tires, would one wheel/tire combo be any more or less advantageous over the other in the conditions mentioned above (265/65-18 vs. 275/55-20, +31)?

 

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

[newdude]

Hmm. Would you be willing to stay with the stock configuration minus the Goodyears? Try a different tire (brand, tread pattern) on for size? I guess I say this in the sense of cost options, being that anything bigger would be more $$$ for the inital purchase (wheels+tires) and future replacement (tires).