18" vs 20" Wheels

[Roadtech]

I am looking to buy a 2015 Chevy 2500 HD 4x4 truck. I am wondering about ordering the optional 20" wheels. Are there any advantages to the larger wheels other than looks? Is the ride quality better or worse with the larger wheels? It is a pricey adder.

[Roadtech]

If you can find the same cab/bed combo in an '11- current with the 20's, they have the same chassis as the 15's. so the only difference may be used tires with a little less tread, but will still give you an idea how the 20's ride.
Now that's a good idea, thanks I will try to find one.

[Need-A-Vacation]

Roadtech wrote:

mamasmax wrote:
You left out the part where you went out and drove a truck with each tire/rim combo to decide for yourself which one you liked better.

Unfortunately, there are no 20" wheeled 2015 trucks at either Chevy or GMC dealers in my area.

If you can find the same cab/bed combo in an '11- current with the 20's, they have the same chassis as the 15's. so the only difference may be used tires with a little less tread, but will still give you an idea how the 20's ride.

[Roadtech]

mamasmax wrote:
You left out the part where you went out and drove a truck with each tire/rim combo to decide for yourself which one you liked better.

Unfortunately, there are no 20" wheeled 2015 trucks at either Chevy or GMC dealers in my area.

[mamasmax]

You left out the part where you went out and drove a truck with each tire/rim combo to decide for yourself which one you liked better.

[goducks10]

It'll take longer to wash 20's 🙂

[Roadtech]

Well it seems that 18" wheels have won out over 20". Summarizing everyone's comments:
18" wheels:
1. Better ride quality
2. Lower cost
3. Better replacement tire selection
4. Better for off road use
5. Less rotating mass resulting in slightly better mpg and tire wear

20" wheels:
1. Looks better
2. Better handling due to less sidewall flex
3. Better brake ventilation

Did I leave out anything?

[ashnic]

On my 2012 2500HD it came with 18's and Michelin's. Rode pretty good. However I pulled them and installed factory 20's with Nitto 305/55/20 as well as leveling the front end. It drove great..no issues including towing. However since I have went to a set of aftermarket 20's with new Toyo open country 295/55/20 which drive and tow excellent. Plus looks pretty tough too!

[ib516]

MM49 wrote:

wintersun wrote:
When I was looking for higher load rated tires the size of the rim made a very big difference. Most high capacity tires are made for delivery vehicles with smaller rims and DRW or for large trucks (22.5" rims).

The sidewall profile is a factor with a truck if you plan to haul any amount of weight. It will take less of an impact to break the bead of the tire and provide an instant flat tire. The larger rims do result in tires that provide better fuel economy as there is less sidewall flexing that wastes fuel. This is trivial for a truck owner but a very big deal for the truck manufacturer who is very much concerned about meeting federal CAFE fleet standards for fuel economy.

When I was looking at new trucks I found that the trucks on the dealers' lots with 20" wheels all had a lot lower payload rating than the trucks with the 17" or 18" wheels so more changed than just the tires on these GM/Chevy 1-ton SRW trucks.

The option 20" tire on the RAM 2500 is 285/60/20 with a load rating of 3840lbs???????????????????????????????????????????????
mm49

Nope, 3640#.

Transforce AT Firestone 285/60/R20

Link

Same as the 18s

[MM49]

wintersun wrote:
When I was looking for higher load rated tires the size of the rim made a very big difference. Most high capacity tires are made for delivery vehicles with smaller rims and DRW or for large trucks (22.5" rims).

The sidewall profile is a factor with a truck if you plan to haul any amount of weight. It will take less of an impact to break the bead of the tire and provide an instant flat tire. The larger rims do result in tires that provide better fuel economy as there is less sidewall flexing that wastes fuel. This is trivial for a truck owner but a very big deal for the truck manufacturer who is very much concerned about meeting federal CAFE fleet standards for fuel economy.

When I was looking at new trucks I found that the trucks on the dealers' lots with 20" wheels all had a lot lower payload rating than the trucks with the 17" or 18" wheels so more changed than just the tires on these GM/Chevy 1-ton SRW trucks.

The option 20" tire on the RAM 2500 is 285/60/20 with a load rating of 3840lbs???????????????????????????????????????????????
mm49

[ib516]

In the Ram trucks, at least the ones delivered in Canada, the 2500 and 3500 srw trucks both come with the same wheel and tire combo. My tire capacity added together (3750# x 2 = 7500#) are greater than my rear gawr @ 6500#. I like the additional capacity.

[goducks10]

N-Trouble wrote:
Hmmm. 20's were only an $800 option on my 2012 GMC SLT trim.

Your right about the 3500s though, you couldn't even order one with 20's because they don't have a high enough weight rating to match the 3500s payload.

What size tires do you need for the 3500 payload?
I see some in 275/65/20 with a 3750lb rating.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Dueler+A%2FT+Revo+2&sidewall=...

[N-Trouble]

Hmmm. 20's were only an $800 option on my 2012 GMC SLT trim.

Your right about the 3500s though, you couldn't even order one with 20's because they don't have a high enough weight rating to match the 3500s payload.

[Need-A-Vacation]

srt20 wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:

srt20 wrote:
My bud has a 12 Dmax 3500 with factory 20s.

It didn't come that way from the factory... Either he or the dealer put them on.

It did come with 20s from the factory. Even got all 4 replaced under warranty for clearcoat peeling.
2012 GMC Denali 3500 4x4 duramax Crew cab.

I know in '13 & '14 only 18's were available on the 3500, not 20's. Hopefully some others can chime in.

As for the warranty replacement, if worked into the deal and installed before delivery, they would carry the same warranty as from the factory.

RoadTech,

Between the available tires in 18's over 20's, and more sidewall giving a slightly better unloaded ride, I would stay with the 18's myself. We have the 20's, came on the truck off the lot, and were a $1400 option in '13. Plenty of options I would rather have had over the 20's! But when you want a certain color when the next model year trucks are out, you take what you can find! I like how they look, they also darn near match the snowmobile trailer rims, but I also like the 18's that were an option. I have almost stepped "down" to the 18's a couple times.

Dirtyoil,

Your 20's had about 2" more sidewall cushion to offset the larger rim. With a comparable tire size wise, the 18's will have a slightly better ride.

[srt20]

N-Trouble wrote:

srt20 wrote:
My bud has a 12 Dmax 3500 with factory 20s.

It didn't come that way from the factory... Either he or the dealer put them on.

It did come with 20s from the factory. Even got all 4 replaced under warranty for clearcoat peeling.
2012 GMC Denali 3500 4x4 duramax Crew cab.