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Does tire width protect the wheel better?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Rick6, Feb 12, 2019.

  1. Feb 12, 2019 at 9:01 AM
    #1
    Rick6

    Rick6 [OP] New Member

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    Hey guys, could not find the answer on these forums or Google.

    I'm going to be off-road enough that I don't want to risk wheel damage. I know 20" are more susceptible to damage than 18". I plan to take some fairly heavy hits in the desert since they sneak up out of nowhere doing 40mph on a trail at night, and the last thing I want is a destroyed wheel 10 miles from pavement.

    So my question is: if I went with a much wider tire, such as 33x12.5r20, would that protect the wheel from damage better than the current tire? Does width matter?

    Dealer sold with 285/55/20, which is 11.2" wide.

    IMG_2886.jpg
     
  2. Feb 12, 2019 at 9:09 AM
    #2
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Welcome Rick.

    A little wider could help, but your major issues is sidewall height. 18's or even 17's would be a lot better option wheel for you. I went back to 18's for several reasons on my last two trucks (current one included), for this reason and a few more.

    You also have to be careful when putting a wide tire on a skinnier wheel. It fits, but wears out the center faster.

    Hope that helps a little..
     
  3. Feb 12, 2019 at 9:51 AM
    #3
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

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    Some tires have rim protectors built it, or whatever you want to call it. It's where the rim sits in a groove and the tire sticks out past it. I had duratracs on my 07 tundra and the rim dates way inside, was pretty cool. Didn't have to worry when the wife drove it
     
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  4. Feb 12, 2019 at 9:52 AM
    #4
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

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    Also mud tires have big side lugs to dig in better, that also helps too
     
  5. Feb 12, 2019 at 10:11 AM
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    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

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    I would go higher profile first. I have always said that wheels bigger than 18 have no business on a 4x4. Now I own one. I bought the TSS primarily for the BFG KO2s. Tires were more important to me than wheel diameter. I remember the old days when I ran 33s on 15" wheels. After 2 hunting running around a rocky ranch I have not dings. I will go with a taller tire when the BFGs wear out.
     
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  6. Feb 12, 2019 at 10:28 AM
    #6
    Rick6

    Rick6 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the replies - definitely helpful. My gut instinct was that I should drop to an 18", so that's likely the direction I'll end up going. It sounds like 20" is not going to be frail by any means, but if I'm going Kings, then I should probably max out the truck's ability to absorb hits. And it sounds like taller rubber (not wider) is an easy way to do that.
     
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  7. Feb 12, 2019 at 11:28 AM
    #7
    TheBeast

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    whenever you ready to go down to 18"s, go with at least 295/70/18
     
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  8. Feb 12, 2019 at 11:57 AM
    #8
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Wider tires definitely help against scratches. Don't think it'll help too much against a broken or dented wheel though. If you're going 40mph on dirt at night and you're buying new wheels anyways, I'd definitely go with a 17" wheel. I've got 18's and I dented one wheel and got 2 flats on my last time out. One of my biggest regrets on my truck is not going with 17's.
     
  9. Feb 12, 2019 at 11:57 AM
    #9
    Rick6

    Rick6 [OP] New Member

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    I'm getting pretty close to pulling the trigger! Baby #2 arrives in two months so I want to get all this done before he's born.

    Before I buy everything, I'm planning to make a new thread just to "fact check" and make sure no one points out any problems. So far, I'm pretty sure I'm going full Kings front/rear at the default height of 2" to keep the ride quality, along with 2x CB shims on each side to get a full 3" lift. Of course UCAs and probably a drop diff. Then for rear, an adjustable Toytec shackle to level the truck at 1".

    Then, I just need to choose new 18" wheels and was leaning towards 285/75/18.

    This link is kinda what I'm going for, though probably 0.5-1" lower in the rear: https://www.customwheeloffset.com/w...yota-tundra-method-nv-readylift-body-lift-3in
     
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  10. Feb 12, 2019 at 12:00 PM
    #10
    Rick6

    Rick6 [OP] New Member

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    I appreciate you confirming wider wouldn't help too much against damage as far as dents.

    This is definitely interesting... thanks for sharing. I'll investigate 17" wheels before I finalize anything.
     
  11. Feb 12, 2019 at 12:10 PM
    #11
    ColoradoTJ

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    Joon be all like....I got this bitches!!!

     
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  12. Feb 12, 2019 at 12:13 PM
    #12
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I agree. Joon gave you solid advice.
     
  13. Mar 1, 2019 at 1:49 PM
    #13
    Rick6

    Rick6 [OP] New Member

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    Just to follow up @joonbug and @ColoradoTJ, your advice prompted me to go with 17" Icon Rebounds in black. They were delivered today and I have an appointment Monday to get everything installed (Kings, SPC UCAs, shackles, 35 Ridge Grapplers on Rebounds, etc.).

    When I started researching, I saw some people say 17's are only for hardcore offroaders, but also saw a couple people say how noticeably better the ride quality was. I liked the idea of more rubber giving a softer ride. Especially since I'll be using Kings at factory preload (with a CB shim to clear the 35's), I'm hoping the ride is super plush.

    I was torn between Six Speeds and Rebounds, but was glad they had the most ideal offset/backspacing so I didn't have to decide from 5000 wheels. Jesus, talk about paralysis by analysis. Narrowing down to two made it easy. I just needed something to tilt me one way or the other, and chose Rebounds because of them being hub centric. I know it won't make a huge difference, and they both look awesome, but that was the reason.

    Thanks again for your advice. I'll post up pics next week!
     

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