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Old 02-14-2014, 11:20 AM   #1
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New TV Tire Size Question

Hello All,

The DW and I are finally ready to pull the trigger on a new TV to replace our aging Trailblazer. I am sold on the new 2014 Chevy Silverado but am curious on the advantages/disadvantages of 20" tires/rims a compared to 18" tires/rims. I have been looking at two different options on a few trucks that come with 18" or 20" tires. Any input?
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Old 02-14-2014, 11:43 AM   #2
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Rim size is only part of it. The amount of sidewall the tire has plays a big part of load capacity as well as stability of the tire. My opinion is a tire with a 65-70 aspect ratio to tire width is best for towing. You may not be able to find that in a 20" diameter without going to a rather large over all sized tire.

265/70/17 is what is on my truck.

265 is the width of the tire while 70 is a ratio of sidewall vs tire width an the 17 is rim diameter.
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Old 02-14-2014, 11:59 AM   #3
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I have 275/65R20 Michelins on my F350 and no problems at all towing. A 20" tire looks better on a larger truck IMHO.
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Old 02-14-2014, 12:54 PM   #4
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Missing Tire Size

Sorry. The tire size would be 265/65/18 or 275/55/20. My question is there an advantage to one size over the other? Either would be factory installed options.
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Old 02-14-2014, 01:02 PM   #5
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whats the load range on the two tires you question ?
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Old 02-14-2014, 01:07 PM   #6
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Don't like the squatty look of 20"s. Nor the higher cost. My 18" cost too much already on my half ton. Father in law has 16"s on his Chevy 3/4 ton. ??
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Old 02-14-2014, 01:27 PM   #7
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My stockers are lt275/65/20....my nittos are 35x12.5x20....over all nearly identical in height....the stock 17 or whatever ford puts on the other 250s look funny heck even the 20s look like pizza cutters on the big ol truck.....although the stock michellins tow and drive fantastic....

Also ford makes u go to the 355 rear end instead if you option the 20s from the factory...I think the smaller wheels come with like 337 rears....so there is some difference there as well..
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Old 02-14-2014, 01:50 PM   #8
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I don't know the load range of either tire size. We have seen both sizes on various models at the dealer lots. Our trailer is only 4700-5300 lbs.
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Old 02-14-2014, 01:56 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tipakajohn View Post
I don't know the load range of either tire size. We have seen both sizes on various models at the dealer lots. Our trailer is only 4700-5300 lbs.
Is that weight ready to roll down the road or sticker light weight?
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Old 02-14-2014, 01:58 PM   #10
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That weight is my estimate. I would guess it is lower than the actual weight once I start to think about it.
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Old 02-14-2014, 02:09 PM   #11
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I still say an aspect ratio of 65-70 will give you the best stability. With a decent tire you probably wont notice much difference in the 18 or 20 rim with the same overall dimension tire, but there will be some. Especially if you are looking at a 1500, hopefully you rarely/never have enough weight to play that much difference.

If you are looking at 10 ply tires (which I recommend) you shouldn't notice much difference.

Something else to consider is that there are more tires that will fit an 18" wheel than there will be a 20" wheel with the same overall stock height. You will still be able to find them with the 20's but will be a little more limited...
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Old 02-14-2014, 02:22 PM   #12
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I would pick the 18" over the 20" but prefer 17"my myself. For towing I want LT tires with a beefy load range.
Them new Chevys are way nice!!! Lucky you
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Old 02-14-2014, 02:42 PM   #13
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Also with a 20" rim and a decent towing tire like a lt275/65/20 you need a decent ammount of wheel well clearance!!. Thats almost 35" tall of tire and wheel!...many stock pickups just won't clear that kinda rubber unless lifted. ...so Your better off with a 17 or 18 to get enough meat on the side wall

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Old 02-14-2014, 04:51 PM   #14
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Our Ram 1500 came with 20" on it. I like them, but in our neck of the woods to get a heavier sidewall tire in 20" the selection is limited. I'm having to go with Nitto Dura Grappler E rated (10ply) 275/60R20 and they are expensive.

Defintely a lot more LT tire selection for 17" wheels and I imagine 18" as well.
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Old 02-14-2014, 06:43 PM   #15
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I looked on the Michelin website and neither tire is available as an LT type tire, they are all P metric. Both tires are only rated at about 2200 pounds of load. I would look for a package that will allow the use of LT rated tires. they will wear, perform, feel much better. P rated tires are for all purposes passenger tires. LT is a truck tire and will do much better for trailer towing. My son in law has an ecoboost truck that came equipped with P series tires that were able to be swapped for identical size LT rated tires No comparison when pulling the trailer and none in the wear of the tire.
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Old 02-14-2014, 09:12 PM   #16
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Three things to consider.
The Load capacity of the two different tires.
Higher Aspect ratio tires will be less prone to pot-hole damage
Check the cost for a set of tires. I expect you will probably need at least one complete set. What is the total cost difference?
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Old 02-14-2014, 09:28 PM   #17
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P rated tires are definitely not good for towing regardless of the size.
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Old 02-14-2014, 11:52 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tipakajohn View Post
Sorry. The tire size would be 265/65/18 or 275/55/20. My question is there an advantage to one size over the other? Either would be factory installed options.
So I just ran your numbers on my tire size calculator. And heres my findings
------265/65/18 =
- 31.5" tall
- 10.4" wide
- sidewall 6.8"
- typical weight 45 lbs

------275/55/20
- 31.9" tall
- 10.8" wide
- 5.9" sidewall
- typical weight 44 lbs

Of course the 20s may be slightly stiffer due to the fact there is almost an inch less of sidewall.
-typically the 18" tires have a higher load rating than 20s- thats why you cant get 20s stock on Gm 3500hd srw trucks.
Also these are almost exactly the same size as a 265/75/16 tire they are all within about 1/4" to 3/8" of each other.

Ps. My 295/70/18 - 35" class (actually about 34.3") have a 10 ply rating and 4080 lb load rating (nitto trail grapplers)
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Old 02-15-2014, 01:06 PM   #19
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Another note the 20s seem to cost a little more than the 18"tires. But I think the 20s look a little better- money aside. I only got 18s cause of the cost factor though. But if its on a new truck, id get the 20s for sure!!


oops. forgot to check mark that stupid box again!
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