Denali with 20 or 22 rims - Looking for feedback

charlieboy2 · August 5, 2018

I'm finally getting around to replacing my old 2000 Sierra 1500 with a new 2018 Sierra Denali. While the 22" rims look REALLY nice on the Ultimate package, I'm torn on how well the rims will hold up with the low profile tires. My last two cars had large rims with 40 or 45 series low profile tires and I was always dealing with bent rims driving around the pothole ridden streets of Northern Ohio and Southern Michigan. Does anyone have any experience with driving the around on the 22" rims and have you had any issues with bent or damaged rims? And no, I've never curbed a rim. The damage that I have experienced is from poor road conditions. My wife has 20" rims on her Acadia and not a single issue.

Thank you for your help and feedback!

Criscone · August 5, 2018

285/45/22 here with no issues at all, but obviously a larger side wall is always better

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ShamrockShooter · August 5, 2018

I have the gm 22 and 18 midnight edition. The 22s look great but I drive around on pins and needles afraid of every curb or pothole.. the 22s also ride very stiff over every bump. I really regret getting them as the looks don't outweigh the loss of functional use.

Unless your truck never leaves the pavement. I'd go with 18 or 20 every time

Also the 22 inch tire flat I had was $450 to replace so factor that in too.

Good luck

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

charlieboy2 · August 5, 2018

I have 245/45/18 on my car and had two bent rims over the past winter. These are run flat tires so the hard sidewalk may be adding to the problem. These tires are about $300 plus mount, balance, etc.

Coming from a 2000 Sierra long wheel base (ext cab/long bed) with 33” tires and 16” rims, I’m used to driving a lazy boy down the highway. I didn’t think about how the ride quality would suffer with the 22” rims.

Thanks for for the feedback.

iPhone. iTypos. iApologize

ShamrockShooter · August 5, 2018

I have 245/45/18 on my car and had two bent rims over the past winter. These are run flat tires so the hard sidewalk may be adding to the problem. These tires are about $300 plus mount, balance, etc.

Coming from a 2000 Sierra long wheel base (ext cab/long bed) with 33” tires and 16” rims, I’m used to driving a lazy boy down the highway. I didn’t think about how the ride quality would suffer with the 22” rims.

Thanks for for the feedback.

iPhone. iTypos. iApologize

You get used to the ride with the 22s. It's not that bad till you switch to 18s then you realize the difference. I'd say go for a test drive and see what you think.

The 285s are wider on the 22s so I opted not to run them in the winter. So that cost me $1300 to buy 18s.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Denali34 · August 5, 2018

I have the 22” on my Denali and never worry about potholes. I hit a few and you can feel it. The magneride helps but still can feel it. I just installed the 285/55R22 10ply and they help soak up the bumps and give confidence. I say get the 22” and never look back. You’ll be fine.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

907Tisch · August 6, 2018

Running a 17 with the Denali Ultimate package and have the 22's. I never have any trouble with them. I love how the look. I'd say go with them....

ChristopherDB · August 6, 2018

I like the 22s and don't have any issues with ride comfort. You just have to be extremely careful around curbs as ShamrockShooter mentioned. It is quite easy to rub them because the sidewall is so narrow.

kylant · August 6, 2018

22s look good, ride could be better. I have magneride too.

The low profile tire makes curb rash much easier to get. My passenger front has a small are of rash. I don't ever reme,mber hitting a curb, but it is there. possibly my wife did it.

I am specifically looking for 20" wheels. The tire selection is drastically better than the 22s

midwestdenaliguy · August 6, 2018

It all comes down to personal preference. I have ran both 22's and 20's. I prefer the ride of a 20 vs the 22 - much softer as previous people have mentioned and I don't worry about pot holes. While I think the 22 is a great looking rim, to me the 20 is the right balance between having a bigger rim and a nice ride. 18's are too small and 22's are too rough on the ride - so I go with 20's. Again, personal preference.

aseibel · August 6, 2018

Sounds like no one else has bent a rim from driving on the road, as I have not either.

It also sounds like you are more concerned with looks than ride quality, especially since you have had other cars with low-pro tires. So I know you're going to get the 22's anyway.

My opinion, low-pro tires look silly on a truck and ride terrible. Therefore I have the OEM 18's and am quite happy with them. To each his own.

charlieboy2 · August 6, 2018

1 hour ago, aseibel said:

Sounds like no one else has bent a rim from driving on the road, as I have not either.

It also sounds like you are more concerned with looks than ride quality, especially since you have had other cars with low-pro tires. So I know you're going to get the 22's anyway.

My opinion, low-pro tires look silly on a truck and ride terrible. Therefore I have the OEM 18's and am quite happy with them. To each his own.

What I have been trying to find has been rather difficult and that is why I’m asking the question on the rims. I’ve been looking for a Denali with the 6.2L motor but want the 20” rims. All of the dealerships around me offer the 5.3L with 20” rims or the 6.2L with 22” rims. I’m trying to find the unicorn truck.

My car is a 2017 CTS and they only come with low profile tires today. That car is going away very soon due to ongoing electrical issues. I was trying to avoid the big rims and low profile tires but I’m not having any luck finding the right combination of truck.

aseibel · August 6, 2018

Your original post made it sound like you were seeking approval for getting 22's.

If you want different wheels than what is on the truck you are looking at, ask your dealer. They might do a swap with you. There's a chance it won't cost you anything, since they can just sell the 22's on a different truck. Either way, they should work with you to get you the truck you want.

Last resort, you can alwasy sell your "brand new used" wheels and tires to Discount tire or something while you purchase exactly what you want.

charlieboy2 · August 6, 2018

Thanks for the suggestion on trading rims. Didn’t think a dealership would do that.

I’ve had low profile tires on the last two cars and I’m tired of fixing (or replacing) the rims. The dealerships around here said that they don’t see damaged rims on the Denali trucks but Cadillac told me the same thing when I was getting ready to buy that car. After I had purchased the car, I found out the truth from the service department and how often they were fixing rims including the Escalade. I reached out to this forum to get real answers from people that drive these trucks everyday and it sounds like there doesn’t seem to be an issue with damaged rims.

Thank you all for your feedback!