Another tire thread..do I keep the 20s or not?

[SedonaBound]

I just drove my "new" H3T almost 600 miles home after buying it. I was concerned about its 20" wheels and 305/50R20 tires. After driving so far on the 20s in a lot of conditions, I actually liked them...a lot. Our old H3 had the OEM Dueller 16s and at 70 MPH always seemed to me a floaty and disconnected; I think it was because of sidewall flex. On the 20s, the T felt firm and glued to the road. The 3 of the 4 tires on the 20s are pretty worn and I was going to sell the wheels and put 285/16s on but now I'm not so sure. Wheeling is maybe 1% of my use, mostly forest roads and moderate trails, snow too; not hardcore stuff or mud, so maybe the 20s would work OK with my trail use. Downside is that they seem to cost 50% more than 16s. I'm no tire expert so I'd appreciate comments. Since asking about the "best" AT tire is like asking about the best beer, I won't do that.

 

[SolidusJ]

I just drove my "new" H3T almost 600 miles home after buying it. I was concerned about its 20" wheels and 305/50R20 tires. After driving so far on the 20s in a lot of conditions, I actually liked them...a lot. Our old H3 had the OEM Dueller 16s and at 70 MPH always seemed to me a floaty and disconnected; I think it was because of sidewall flex. On the 20s, the T felt firm and glued to the road. The 3 of the 4 tires on the 20s are pretty worn and I was going to sell the wheels and put 285/16s on but now I'm not so sure. Wheeling is maybe 1% of my use, mostly forest roads and moderate trails, snow too; not hardcore stuff or mud, so maybe the 20s would work OK with my trail use. Downside is that they seem to cost 50% more than 16s. I'm no tire expert so I'd appreciate comments. Since asking about the "best" AT tire is like asking about the best beer, I won't do that.

I didn't want 20" when I did the left but for $200 bucks and 10K miles left on them I couldn't say no. They grew on me and now I love them, if you want I have a set of 5 steel OEM wheels for sell.

 

[zackcrum]

I have had my 20s with 325/60 duratracs for a while now and I couldn't be happier. Does what I need on trails and looks good when rolling around town at night.

 

[SedonaBound]

I have had my 20s with 325/60 duratracs for a while now and I couldn't be happier. Does what I need on trails and looks good when rolling around town at night.

How noisy are the Duratraks?

 

[poweraidon]

I say get 17's, more tire options and tires are cheaper... 20 for me is too much rim and not enough tire


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[derian06]

I say get 17's, more tire options and tires are cheaper... 20 for me is too much rim and not enough tire


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I'll gladly swap with you.

 

[poweraidon]

I'll gladly swap with you.

Only if your truck is included too


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[06 H3]

20s work well with 40s

 

[Zach]

20s work well with 40s

26's with rubber bands work well in the hood [emoji41]

 

[benlaud87]

Duratracs aren't noisy at all

 

[LoJac963]

I say get 17's, more tire options and tires are cheaper... 20 for me is too much rim and not enough tire


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Couldn't agree more, reason I stayed with 17's in Method Standards

 

[Pappibri]

I love the beefy tire look. Don't much like the rubber band look. They look good on grocery getters though...
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[amrg]

Nothing better looking than a big tire on a small wheel! Esp with a wide set too!

 

[zackcrum]

How noisy are the Duratraks?

Mine are loud. Windows down at 60 get used to passengers saying what did you say. Windows up you can still hear it but it's livable

 

[benlaud87]

Maybe it's just because I went from Baja claws to duratracs, but mine had little to no noise. I don't really remember what OEM type tires sound like.

 

[SedonaBound]

I love the beefy tire look. Don't much like the rubber band look. They look good on grocery getters though...
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The /50 profile looks fairly beefy as 20s go; not like the skinny /30 that are like "rubber bands. When it comes to tires, looks are low on the priority list.

 

[zackcrum]

I honestly think I have plenty of tire on mine.

 

[954paulo]

I'm also on the fence about doing 20s and a 305 55 20 vs my 35s (315s) found a nice pair of rims used and in decent shape. All black. Just gotta get tires and sell my current setup. How is the ride with less tire tho?

 

[zackcrum]

The ride isn't bad for me. You have a wider contact patch so bumps aren't as bad.

 

[SedonaBound]

I honestly think I have plenty of tire on mine.

Your 60s have more meat than my 305/55s, but for my use the 55s will work. Driving on 305/55R20s was the first time in over 30K miles that the H3 didn't feel like a waterbed at highway speeds (90% of my miles). I like the hunkered-down look they give the T too. I had my Big O guy order the 20s today; Toyo Open Country ATII Extremes. I'll have to be a bit more careful off the pavement, but my wheeling is destination-oriented and relatively tame.

 

[zackcrum]

That's awesome! I have the rim protector on my sidewalls and have yet to have problems

 

[Can007]

I went down from 20 to 16.5 rims. I liked the look a lot but I was set on a certain tire. If you are happy with the look why change?

 

[05Mudiak]

325/65/20 plenty of side wall imo

 

[zackcrum]

Yep I feel the same. I have the same height as you just different width and it never gives me trouble

 

[05Mudiak]

What size you ruining? These measure out to 35.5x13. It's 50/50 with tire shops around here calling them 36 or 35. They are noticeably bigger/taller than a 315 and 35x12.50 when placed side by side,