Larger Size Wheels-pros & Cons?

flatlander · March 17, 2008

Have noticed that the old 15" & 16" rims on trucks are a thing of the past and that 17", 18", and 20" rims are now the norm. What are the advantages, disadvantages. Do they ride better? Do they handle better? Any input would be appreciated as I am shopping for a new truck.

solarjustin · March 17, 2008

I bet I'm one of the odd ones on here who still likes the 16" wheel on a truck. With the larger wheel you will have less sidewall on your tire so it will be a little bit stiffer ride. I think part of the move to larger wheels is just the "cool" factor, and yes some do look cool. I just bough my wife a Toyota V-6 RAV4 Sport and it has 18" wheels, and they do look pretty cool. But one thing to watch out for on the larger wheels is the cost of replacement tires. My truck has 16" wheels and I put new tires on this winter for $100 each, I think you will be hard pressed to find 20" tires that are that cheep.

VMax2007 · March 17, 2008

FYI, minimum size wheel on the GMT900's is 17" for brake caliper clearance.

I do agree with you Justin, that is why I dumped my OEM 20's for 18's.

alaska511 · March 17, 2008

The 20s definitiely handle better on the windy roads, the z60 suspension is impressive, I have never had a truck cut through the twisties like this. Less sidewall flex in a 20. Yes, the 20s are more for looks I would say. I like them. I will post new pics today of my new ones for a better visual.

I would for sure say the ride is a bit stiffer, it doesnt bother me at all though.

slomo007 · March 17, 2008

It's all about the coolness factor.

Worse mileage, acceleration, more expensive to replace tires, etc, etc, etc.

I have 18s on my NBS and would not trade them for 20" no matter what. In fact when I was negotiating on a "texas edition" silverado they kept touting the 20" wheels. I asked if I could get them swapped for a set of 18s and they looked at me like I was crazy, then said no. I then went to another dealership and found the truck I really wanted with the 18s.

nbscanuck · March 17, 2008

Downside is that MOST (not all) times a 20" wheel will wiegh more. That extra weight (rotating mass) can cause a drop in fuel mileage. How much of a drop, I couldn't say. Am I worried about that small change? NO.

alaska511 · March 17, 2008

It's all about the coolness factor.

Worse mileage, acceleration, more expensive to replace tires, etc, etc, etc.

I have 18s on my NBS and would not trade them for 20" no matter what. In fact when I was negotiating on a "texas edition" silverado they kept touting the 20" wheels. I asked if I could get them swapped for a set of 18s and they looked at me like I was crazy, then said no. I then went to another dealership and found the truck I really wanted with the 18s.

not with every 20. The ones I bought weigh 26 pounds each.

hubbycap · March 17, 2008

Have noticed that the old 15" & 16" rims on trucks are a thing of the past and that 17", 18", and 20" rims are now the norm. What are the advantages, disadvantages. Do they ride better? Do they handle better? Any input would be appreciated as I am shopping for a new truck.

Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of low-profile wheels (on my own vehicles.)

The increase in rotor/caliper sizes has necessitated an increase in wheel size. 17" is the smallest possible wheel that will fit on the new CHV/GMC 1/2 tons. As someone that makes a living straightening wheels with pot-hole bends, I find that I repair far more +20" wheels than the smaller ones. This number is disproportionate to the ratio of low-pro wheels in use. This makes me the number one fan of the larger wheels (on the vehicles of others.)

Are people with low-pro wheels just sorry drivers? No, but they do have very little rubber cushion between road hazards and the wheel itself. Compounding that problem are very stiff sidewalls of the low-pro tires that are necessary to hold up the vehicle. That stiff sidewall telegraphs the shock of impact directly to the bead of the wheel because of its lack of ability to absorb that force. consequently the wheel must take whatever hit the suspension can't handle and the wheel may not spring back.

Notwithstanding an overpowering attraction to a style or particular look, the 17" or 18" will be the most practical wheel size choice. Those sizes have a sensible tire profile to obsorb typical road perils and yet still have good handling, ride characteristics and replacement cost.

IMO the 50 and lower series tires do not ride very well and the perceived improved handling is wasted on a truck suspension and diminishes the usefulness of the truck's design purpose.

Raymond Lowe · March 17, 2008

Have noticed that the old 15" & 16" rims on trucks are a thing of the past and that 17", 18", and 20" rims are now the norm. What are the advantages, disadvantages. Do they ride better? Do they handle better? Any input would be appreciated as I am shopping for a new truck.

Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of low-profile wheels (on my own vehicles.)

The increase in rotor/caliper sizes has necessitated an increase in wheel size. 17" is the smallest possible wheel that will fit on the new CHV/GMC 1/2 tons. As someone that makes a living straightening wheels with pot-hole bends, I find that I repair far more +20" wheels than the smaller ones. This number is disproportionate to the ratio of low-pro wheels in use. This makes me the number one fan of the larger wheels (on the vehicles of others.)

Are people with low-pro wheels just sorry drivers? No, but they do have very little rubber cushion between road hazards and the wheel itself. Compounding that problem are very stiff sidewalls of the low-pro tires that are necessary to hold up the vehicle. That stiff sidewall telegraphs the shock of impact directly to the bead of the wheel because of its lack of ability to absorb that force. consequently the wheel must take whatever hit the suspension can't handle and the wheel may not spring back.

Notwithstanding an overpowering attraction to a style or particular look, the 17" or 18" will be the most practical wheel size choice. Those sizes have a sensible tire profile to obsorb typical road perils and yet still have good handling, ride characteristics and replacement cost.

IMO the 50 and lower series tires do not ride very well and the perceived improved handling is wasted on a truck suspension and diminishes the usefulness of the truck's design purpose.

The 20" 55 series factory wheels on the Denali do tranmit some of the road harshness but it's not too bad if you keep them at the 30psi recommended pressure. The truck has exceptional handling with them on so it's a small trade off and worth it. In my experience, factory stuff is usually well engineered. It's the aftermarket wheels that are flimsy and prone to bending. Aluminum is expensive and wheel designers try to reduce the mass as much as possible at the expense of strength. HD truck's are even worse. The fancier the design, the more likely it'll be out of round in no time.

alaska511 · March 17, 2008

Have noticed that the old 15" & 16" rims on trucks are a thing of the past and that 17", 18", and 20" rims are now the norm. What are the advantages, disadvantages. Do they ride better? Do they handle better? Any input would be appreciated as I am shopping for a new truck.

Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of low-profile wheels (on my own vehicles.)

The increase in rotor/caliper sizes has necessitated an increase in wheel size. 17" is the smallest possible wheel that will fit on the new CHV/GMC 1/2 tons. As someone that makes a living straightening wheels with pot-hole bends, I find that I repair far more +20" wheels than the smaller ones. This number is disproportionate to the ratio of low-pro wheels in use. This makes me the number one fan of the larger wheels (on the vehicles of others.)

Are people with low-pro wheels just sorry drivers? No, but they do have very little rubber cushion between road hazards and the wheel itself. Compounding that problem are very stiff sidewalls of the low-pro tires that are necessary to hold up the vehicle. That stiff sidewall telegraphs the shock of impact directly to the bead of the wheel because of its lack of ability to absorb that force. consequently the wheel must take whatever hit the suspension can't handle and the wheel may not spring back.

Notwithstanding an overpowering attraction to a style or particular look, the 17" or 18" will be the most practical wheel size choice. Those sizes have a sensible tire profile to obsorb typical road perils and yet still have good handling, ride characteristics and replacement cost.

IMO the 50 and lower series tires do not ride very well and the perceived improved handling is wasted on a truck suspension and diminishes the usefulness of the truck's design purpose.

The 20" 55 series factory wheels on the Denali do tranmit some of the road harshness but it's not too bad if you keep them at the 30psi recommended pressure. The truck has exceptional handling with them on so it's a small trade off and worth it. In my experience, factory stuff is usually well engineered. It's the aftermarket wheels that are flimsy and prone to bending. Aluminum is expensive and wheel designers try to reduce the mass as much as possible at the expense of strength. HD truck's are even worse. The fancier the design, the more likely it'll be out of round in no time.

I agree, a quality forged wheels being the exception. Weld, Centerline, and I ran ALCOA forged on my 2500HD, it is still the highest capacity rated 16 on the market as far as I know.

hubbycap · March 17, 2008

Have noticed that the old 15" & 16" rims on trucks are a thing of the past and that 17", 18", and 20" rims are now the norm. What are the advantages, disadvantages. Do they ride better? Do they handle better? Any input would be appreciated as I am shopping for a new truck.

Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of low-profile wheels (on my own vehicles.)

The increase in rotor/caliper sizes has necessitated an increase in wheel size. 17" is the smallest possible wheel that will fit on the new CHV/GMC 1/2 tons. As someone that makes a living straightening wheels with pot-hole bends, I find that I repair far more +20" wheels than the smaller ones. This number is disproportionate to the ratio of low-pro wheels in use. This makes me the number one fan of the larger wheels (on the vehicles of others.)

Are people with low-pro wheels just sorry drivers? No, but they do have very little rubber cushion between road hazards and the wheel itself. Compounding that problem are very stiff sidewalls of the low-pro tires that are necessary to hold up the vehicle. That stiff sidewall telegraphs the shock of impact directly to the bead of the wheel because of its lack of ability to absorb that force. consequently the wheel must take whatever hit the suspension can't handle and the wheel may not spring back.

Notwithstanding an overpowering attraction to a style or particular look, the 17" or 18" will be the most practical wheel size choice. Those sizes have a sensible tire profile to obsorb typical road perils and yet still have good handling, ride characteristics and replacement cost.

IMO the 50 and lower series tires do not ride very well and the perceived improved handling is wasted on a truck suspension and diminishes the usefulness of the truck's design purpose.

The 20" 55 series factory wheels on the Denali do tranmit some of the road harshness but it's not too bad if you keep them at the 30psi recommended pressure. The truck has exceptional handling with them on so it's a small trade off and worth it. In my experience, factory stuff is usually well engineered. It's the aftermarket wheels that are flimsy and prone to bending. Aluminum is expensive and wheel designers try to reduce the mass as much as possible at the expense of strength. HD truck's are even worse. The fancier the design, the more likely it'll be out of round in no time.

There you go, agreed.

The Chinese low-pressure cast wheels are extremely heavy and weak for their weight. Generally the OEM is cast at higher pressures and less prone to have internal casting imperfections (air bubbles.)

Your 55 series is a reasonable aspec ratio. The downside of low-pro tires really becomes profound at 45 and under.

VMax2007 · March 17, 2008

The Chinese low-pressure cast wheels are extremely heavy and weak for their weight. Generally the OEM is cast at higher pressures and less prone to have internal casting imperfections (air bubbles.)

Hey Fred, guess what was imprinted on the inside of my OEM 20" wheels I recently sold.....give up?

"Made in China"

alaska511 · March 17, 2008

The Chinese low-pressure cast wheels are extremely heavy and weak for their weight. Generally the OEM is cast at higher pressures and less prone to have internal casting imperfections (air bubbles.)

Hey Fred, guess what was imprinted on the inside of my OEM 20" wheels I recently sold.....give up?

"Made in China"

So were your Ultras, weren't they?

hubbycap · March 17, 2008

The Chinese low-pressure cast wheels are extremely heavy and weak for their weight. Generally the OEM is cast at higher pressures and less prone to have internal casting imperfections (air bubbles.)

Hey Fred, guess what was imprinted on the inside of my OEM 20" wheels I recently sold.....give up?

"Made in China"

I know man. I've seen that on GM passenger car wheels as well. I'm so embarrassed for GM.

Bostonsfavson · March 17, 2008

For my money, 20 inch wheels with 55 series rubber is the perfect compromise. They're not too heavy, look great, and ride extremely well. The roads where I live are generally terrible, and I'm frequently on construction sites with my truck. It's amazing how well the stock 20s with the stock 275/55/20 tires handle these situations. They flex enough to give a a nice comfortable ride, while still being firm enough to take on-ramps at a brisk pace if you're feeling frisky. I drove a Denali with the 18" rims, and honestly, it doesn't absorb impacts much better than my truck does with the 20s. Will 20" rims hurt your acceleration, braking and fuel economy? Yes, but not much. I'm not trying to push you one way or the other. The best thing you can do is drive two trucks back to back with the 18s and 20s and see which one suits you the best.