17” wheel vs 20” wheel

[Big Blue]

Assuming the outside tire diameter is the same (33”), is there a benefit to running a 17” wheel vs my stock 20” wheel.

I won’t be doing any expert level trails. Mainly beginner to intermediate trails. I’m driving an F-150 super crew.

I’m trying to decide if I need to start saving for wheels. Haha.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Jeff B]

Yes, with a 17 you get a larger sidewall and more wiggle room aired down. It is a little safer for the rim with a larger sidewall.

 

[Big Blue]

Thanks for the reply. Good point in safety. I didn’t even think about dinging the rim.

 

[MMc]

I don't know what size breaks you have, the Mfgs are making breaks larger in diameter to improve stopping. I have to run 17" on my truck because of the breaks.
You will not be able to airdown much with a 20' wheel. When you airdown the tire acts as a bit of a shock absorber. Fill you tire as hard as it will go and drive over a speed bump, then drop it 30% and do the same. you'll feel it.

 

[Big Blue]

That makes sense. So being able to air down more (volume wise) has its benefits. I’ll check my brakes, too. I think it should clear a 17” wheel.

 

[grubworm]

yeah, i see a good bit of folk go from 20" to 16" just to get that bigger sidewall, which makes sense for offroad...i have stock 20s and went with a Toyo tire that is right at 34" and that is great for me doing 95% highway and 5% semi-rough roads. I got an extra couple inches clearance over the stock tires and the little extra sidewall does make a smoother ride on dirt roads. If was was going rock crawling, i would probably go with 15" rims and have a lot of meat on the tires

 

[Big Blue]

Thanks for all the input. I’m new to the offroad world and just trying to understand everything.

 

[Salty4Life]

A smaller wheel give the sidewalk more range to flex. This not only improves rode quality, but also traction as the tire can flex around an obstacle.
also for a second kind of coolness, it makes you tire look bigger than they actually are. A 35 on a 17 inch wheel look similar to a 40 on a 20 inch wheel from a short distance.

 

[MidOH]

17's ride better, more sidewall.

17's weigh less. A hair less work for inadequate shocks to handle.

17's have a better tire selection, but 20's might have an oddball 35 with good weight capacity that 17's can't match.

Any wheel over 18'' is a street queen wheel.

 

[grubworm]

Any wheel over 18'' is a street queen wheel.

"queens" need rims and tires too!

 

[Daryl 32]

ALSO :

With 17" tires you have a much wider choice of tire to choose from and 17s tend to cost less then 18" and up sizes.

 

[Big Blue]

Thanks everyone. The info is very helpful.

How about for driving in snow? Is it still the same fundamentals? Air down for a smoother ride? Especially if chains are still needed.