Wheel Size for Towing

Does size of wheel positively or negatively affect towing if all things are equal?
In other words if you had a stock tire on 17" rims vs the same size tire with 18" rims and the rims are of similar weight, offset, etc. will there be any difference at all? Will the shorter sidewall on the 18" set up be better? I am specifically talking about towing a travel trailer in the 5-6K range.
Thx for the responses.

 

In my experience the bigger the wheel the heavier it is. It would come down to type of tire. Mud terrains are bulky and have more rolling resistance than highway tire.

 

True. However you have a tire with less rubber. Couple pounds heavier wheel but tire that’s a couple pounds lighter. Everybody seems to think a smaller wheel setup will cut weight, but only if you’re putting on a smaller tire too. Rubber and steel belting adds up.

With that being said, @FossilHunter you won’t notice a thing.

 

Thats too much thinking, LOL. Just swap to a LT tire and be happy, they are a world of difference when towing.

-Jason

 

I know that the F150's achieve their highest tow rating on a 20" wheel. I think that the shorter sidewall is more stable and offers less flex. I have 20's on my F150 and they are very stable even with regular P-metric, non-LT tires.

The downside is they suck offroad. Airing them down does nothing.

Between and 17 and 18" wheel, I bet you won't notice much.

 

18" or 20" is fine. I towed my 5000 lb boat with D rated tires on 16" and now 20s on Tundra. No difference. With a TT I would go with D or E rated tires and 45 - 50 psi. I have often wondered inch for inch which is lighter aluminum rim or tire. Rubber is not light.