19.5" vs. 22.5" wheels on a 2013

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

In the last year or so I have had more problems doing searches here than ever before, so I will throw this out here and if you can link me to previous discussions so be it. Otherwise, please chime in with your input. Looking for facts more than opinions. Was going to hold off for a '14, but I am probably taking the plunge on a '13 3500 DRW Laramie/Aisin/4. 10. OK. I have a buddy with an '07 with 22. 5" aluminum wheels/Sumitomo hwy. tires. Never personally rode in it yet. Talk about SWEET! He has 2 family members with a 4500 and 5500 with 19. 5". He says his ride is smoother wether loaded or empty. I am tired of the tire changes and the $1000+ bill every 35k to 40K. My buddies with the 19. 5" are getting about 80K out of a set of tires towing heavy. Not bad. I have read several posts that a 22. 5" cheap tire will get a 150K pretty easy on a Ram. A good Michelin can get 250K or more, so they say. Here is what I want from those of You who have some experience!



1. Is there any sweeter Aluminum wheel than a Alcoa Dura-Bright? Either in 19. 5" or 22. 5"



2. IF it is worth rotating such tires, One would not want steel inner wheels on the duals. Cheaper to start out, but long run may be more costly. So Aluminum all the way around I suppose?



3. I here the 2013 with its bigger wheel wells can accommodate 22. 5" up to a 255/70R22. 5 with no lift and no modifications. This a about a 37" tall tire on average. Is this True or false?



4. Where would the ratio end up with my 4. 10 if changed to 19. 5's or to 22. 5's?



5. With PROPER inflation (Just cause it says max 130psi on the side wall, please don't do it on the RAM) will ride be decent with either wheel and can one expect 100k+ from either wheel?



6. What companies 8 lug to 10 lug adapter is recommended. Who offers package deals for these wheels/tires/adapter?



7. Why 19. 5's instead of 22. 5's?



8. Why 22. 5's instead of 19. 5's?



That's it I'm done. I'll stop! Please answer what you are experienced with. Thank You in advance!! Jared

 

[mwilson]

I will answer your question in regards to Alcoa wheels. As far as using them on a Ram I will leave that to others as I leave my trucks stock as far as wheels and tires.

I refuse to sell the Dura Bright Alcoa wheels. I turn people away that want nothing else.

Why, you ask?

Glad you asked... ... .

I sold 24 of them in the 24. 5 size when they first came out. Within a year all 24 of them peeled and I spent the next 6 months fighting for warranty coverage. In our part of the world we have road treatment in the winter. The road treatment combined with other slop on the road creates a slurry of material that will ride in the recess of the rim. It wears the finish.
Referred to as the "Rock Tumbler Effect".

Now Alcoa did pony up after a bit but warned me going forward that they would not cover any more failures of this nature. Fair enough, I went back to selling Polished and Satin finish Alcoa wheels.

So now aside from the "Dura Bright" debacle I sell Alcoa five to one over Accuride. Alcoa has a very simple 5 year warranty based on the date stamped into the rim. No sales receipt, no BS. It is that simple.
If you have an issue you can call Alcoa yourself and explain it, they may ask for pictures and other info. Once they decide that the failure is warranty they send you a UPS call tag for your wheel. Ship it to them and they will ship you a new one at no charge.
Now what I do with my customers that had to buy a wheel to keep going during the process is this, once they get the replacement wheel from Alcoa they bring it to me. I give them credit and put it back into inventory so they are not stuck with an excess wheel.

So I would recommend either the Polished or Satin finished product. Both are very attractive and you are not dealing with some coating that could peel or blister.

JMHO.

Mike.

 

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

Thanks mwilson for the thoughts. I appreciate any and all info. others are willing to give!

Jared

 

[fkovalski]

I have no experience with either, but did seriously consider 19. 5's for the weight carrying capacity for a SRW application- I just could not find a right tire for my off-raoding situations. We all know that the Ram is a capable truck even though the wheels do not necessarily match up. I think 19. 5's for on-road situations will make the truck perform in almost any situation... except for off-roading (which I why I went for Nittos) and maybe beach travel.

I think that the 24. 5's outdo the Ram capabilities as far as what truck tires are asked to do... and if I may add opinion: I think 22. 5's look silly on a light duty pick-up whereas 19. 5's are far more proportion in terms of looks and capabilities.

 

[mwilson]

I have no experience with either, but did seriously consider 19. 5's for the weight carrying capacity for a SRW application- I just could not find a right tire for my off-raoding situations. We all know that the Ram is a capable truck even though the wheels do not necessarily match up. I think 19. 5's for on-road situations will make the truck perform in almost any situation... except for off-roading (which I why I went for Nittos) and maybe beach travel.

I think that the 24. 5's outdo the Ram capabilities as far as what truck tires are asked to do... and if I may add opinion: I think 22. 5's look silly on a light duty pick-up whereas 19. 5's are far more proportion in terms of looks and capabilities.

I didn't mean to confuse anyone by using the 24. 5 size in my post above.

I sell the 19. 5, 22. 5 and 24. 5 size Alcoa wheels for trucks. I used the peeling 24. 5 rims as a firsthand experience with the Dura Bright coating issue.

Sorry if I mislead anyone.

Mike

 

[fkovalski]

Mike, I actually transposed the wheels sizes when replying inserting the larger when the OP asked in reference to 22. 5's..... Regardless, my intent of opinion was to mean that 19. 5's make a Ram more fully capable of a truck whereas I think anything larger is overkill.

 

[mwilson]

Mike, I actually transposed the wheels sizes when replying inserting the larger when the OP asked in reference to 22. 5's..... Regardless, my intent of opinion was to mean that 19. 5's make a Ram more fully capable of a truck whereas I think anything larger is overkill.

Ok, just wanted to make sure.



Mike.