Plus vs. minus of 18" wheels?

[DocDetonancour]

I'm going to try 275x70x18 with wheels. What are you guys seeing as far as mpg? Anyone running Hankook in this size? thanks, Doc

 

[JBallou]

I wanna know also, watching intently.

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

Just curious as to why you are going to run 18 inch wheels as opposed to 19. 5 wheels.

 

[JDiepstra]

Just curious as to why you are going to run 18 inch wheels as opposed to 19. 5 wheels.

Well geez man tell us why the 19. 5's are better then, and what is the approximate cost difference? I hear they can be very expensive.



Also, you have been on here since 2002 and only posted twice?

 

[jelag]

A 19. 5 is used on Chev, and Ford mid range trucks like the Dodge 4500 and 5500, this means you can purchase a replacement tire ANYWHERE. .

The 19. 5 is a tire rated up to a "G" load range to something like 4700 lbs... so you now have a tire you can purchase almost anywhere with huge load caring ability... . we use 225/70/19. 5"

The 19. 5 is recapped for UPS and is an excellent recap... . we've used them on our F550 for 400K miles, and will use them on our 5500, and 3500 with 19. 5" wheels... (rear tires)

Our 19. 5 experience has show that the tire will go 100K miles on the steer axle and the recaps usually last us 90K miles. . which make them cheaper to run over the 500K miles I keep a truck. .

Last... because the 19. 5 is a truck tire... we've never had a blow out on our F550, or 3500's running them... . we've had some flats... but nothing that couldn't be fixed... .

The 225/70/19. 5 is only 1/2" taller than the stock 17" tire, so little or no calibration is needed for the speedo.....

On the other hand I'm going to guess that the 18" tire and wheel look nice but don't have the features of the 19. 5"

There is not, and won't be any MPG increase with any tire change unless you move to a solid rib tire which reduced the friction that is generated when the tire meets the road... .

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

I don't know exactly what it is that you are wanting to do going with the 18 inchers ! Are you trying to carry more weight or what ? I also do not know how much the 18 inch wheels cost ! I do know that if you are looking to carry more weight you can not beat the 19. 5 tires yes they are pretty expensive but you get what you pay for too.

 

[JBallou]

Is there such thing as a resonable $ and weight wise 19. 5 rim?



I have looked at less schwab yet they keep that stuff off the web. And rickson, still $ to me and the shipping thing. I want to try the loook on first.

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

Hello JBallou

I have the rickson rims and I absolutely love them. Be aware if you purchase the rickson rims it may take a while for you to get them but they are definitely worth every penny. You can't hurt them or the tires. If you do decide to go to the 19. 5 tires I do believe you will absolutely love them they don't wear out nothing like the oem tires that dodge puts on there trucks. If you would like I will try to take a picture of my truck with the wheels on it. I do believe once you go 19. 5 you will never go back to those wimpy little bicycle tires ever again.

 

[HBarlow]

What is the maximum weight capability of 18" wheels? If they are an aftermarket wheel designed for appearance, not commerical duty, I'd be careful about the weight rating and ability to stand up to abuse.



Tires in 18" size will probably be very difficult to find and expensive. What is the weight rating of 18" tires?

 

[DHuffman]

Pros: None (to me anyways)



Cons: Cost (buying wheels and tires)

 

[Jeepr]

Take a look at your tire choices. I think you will be in better shape with 18's than I am with aftermarket 17's. I bought the 17's, and then realized that when/if I want to go up to 35's, there is only one E-load range 35 for a 17 wheel that I could find (think it was the Toyo).



You'll probably have better luck finding e-load for 18's due to less sidewall.

 

[SBeretz]

I think the 18's are getting pretty popular because Ford is running them standard on their trucks now. It seems like there are alot of choices for tires in the 18" range. 17" do have plenty of choices, but I think 18's are probably better and will continue get better. They seem like a good tire, less sidewall, should make for a stiffer tire. Scotty

 

[p-Bar]

I am running 18" wheels have had them well over a year now. Had a hard time finding tires with a "E" rating. Seemed at the time the tire companies fell behind with what the wheel manf. were doing. It was more for the look , I don't like the 22" wheel look , 19. 5 would have been optimum , but a hefty price tag. It's all "Hollywood" .

 

[MartyK]

I have the opposite problem. I have load range E tires but no wheels to put them on. I wish I could find a 18x8. 5 with 6" of backspace. Something like the Centerline Grizzly or Eclipse would make me happy.



Marty

 

[jjdiesel]

I have been running the Continental Contitrac 275/70/18 load range E on Kore Welds for a couple of years now. They have been wearing great... happy with them to date. It's the same tire that comes stock on the King Ranch Ford trucks... at least it was when I bought mine. It lowers the rpm at cruise more than I thought they would, was happy about that.

 

[p-Bar]

I have been running the Continental Contitrac 275/70/18 load range E on Kore Welds for a couple of years now. They have been wearing great... happy with them to date. It's the same tire that comes stock on the King Ranch Ford trucks... at least it was when I bought mine. It lowers the rpm at cruise more than I thought they would, was happy about that.

Running the same tire, same results

 

[DocDetonancour]

I have been running the Continental Contitrac 275/70/18 load range E on Kore Welds for a couple of years now. They have been wearing great... happy with them to date. It's the same tire that comes stock on the King Ranch Ford trucks... at least it was when I bought mine. It lowers the rpm at cruise more than I thought they would, was happy about that.

Thanks for the good info. I like the "look" of the 18's vs. the 17's and have seen many choices. The lower rpm should be a plus for mpg??? There are also many options to tire brand, but all I have seen run around $250 per tire. thanks, Doc

 

[jjdiesel]

I agree Doc, 1" doesn't seem like much but it makes a difference. I think its important to go with a wheel that has the right offset and backspacing... that is why I went with the Kore wheels even tho they are pricey. Plus I do think they look good Don't know what's out there lately but I think that keeping the same geometry happening on the front end makes all the other components happy. . IMO.

 

[AKaiser]

There is not, and won't be any MPG increase with any tire change unless you move to a solid rib tire which reduced the friction that is generated when the tire meets the road... .

Not true, at least not in my situation. I did gain, at least 3/4 MPG (hand calc) by going from 265x70R17 to 275x70R18s. Check out my truck pics and sig. If you're driving a truck with the G56AD transmission, taller tires WILL help to a point.