Off Roading on 18" wheels??

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Off Roading on 18" wheels??

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Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/29/2007 7:14:31 PM

VanSmite

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I finaly found some wheels I would like to get for the Alpha....

Problem is they only come in 18" and I will be taking this Hummer on more than a few off-road adventures, so I hate to go bigger than 17" wheels. Anyone off-road on 18's? I cringe just asking that question!

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/29/2007 7:49:37 PM

Hawaiian Hummah

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my neib has 20's w/off road tires, the look is sweet but I'm not sure about the off road abilities, his is more show than go!!! (not a hummer)

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/29/2007 7:56:04 PM

VanSmite

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WOW! No thanks!
I think I would rather pound my **** with a hammer then off-road on 20" wheels, that would be some very expensive wheeling!

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 2:07:37 AM

hilljob26

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wheels are wheels,they get scratched,you buy another.i mean in the end,go big or go home right.just my .02

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 4:43:34 AM

KS Trekker

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quote:

ORIGINAL: VanSmite

I finaly found some wheels I would like to get for the Alpha....

Problem is they only come in 18" and I will be taking this Hummer on more than a few off-road adventures, so I hate to go bigger than 17" wheels. Anyone off-road on 18's? I cringe just asking that question!

Looks or cost of larger wheels aside, the biggest issue I see with off-roading on larger wheels is the low profile tires don't give you as much side wall. You really need the longer sidewall to help soften your ride. Like you stated, I wouldn't go larger than 17". But it really comes down to how stiff of a ride you are willing to take.

< Message edited by KS Trekker -- 11/30/2007 4:45:58 AM >

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 7:15:02 AM

Doc Olds

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Larger rims limit the ability to air down for traction and floatation as well, but I figure you guys know that, cuz that's a big part of selecting off road wheels. As I understand it, 17" is the acceptable breaking point, but it is your rig and $.

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 7:42:44 AM

josh1899

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From: Spring, Tx
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a larger wheel would also effectively raise your gearing which isn't the best for off road either!

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 7:53:03 AM

shortbus

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the wheel size won't change your gearing, all that matters is the tire size. i had 18" wheels on the bus when i first got it, but didn't do any real offroading until i got my 17" rims on. i'd say keep on looking.

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 7:58:55 AM

josh1899

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From: Spring, Tx
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quote:

the wheel size won't change your gearing, all that matters is the tire size.

Ahh you are correct sir. I wasn't thinking about the lower profile tires.

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 8:04:13 AM

shortbus

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actually, none of those will change the gearing, but they'll change the ratios that the speedo relies on to maintain accuracy. bigger or smaller tire than stock will throw off the speedo, as well as your mileage computer.

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 8:46:07 AM

Desert Dan

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Why do you think the Adventure Package has 33's on 16" rims?

More sidewalls give a better ride and flex at low pressure and more room beteween the rim and rocks.

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 9:10:53 AM

importkiller

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the bigger question is what size tires are you running....18's would be ok for a 37"+ tire...but for a 35" tire 17 is the biggest I would go.

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 4:07:19 PM

Hummer Guy

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With that wheel you're probably going to have a wider tire - which you can still get an agressive tire, and you're only losing one inch of sidewall. Keep in mind, airing down is to give yourself a wider footprint...by having a wider tire installed, you will lessen the need to air down to get sidewall traction. Now, serious rock climbing when the tire really grabs on, you may see a difference...but the main danger is just scratching and denting when larger rocks get tossed around -- I wouldn't let it hold you back from buying the wheels, though.

Check out how wide/agressive these tires are on 20s:

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 5:09:01 PM

RealJeep

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I can't understand how the Hooptie HUMMER trend has whored out the off road tire market. Off Road Tires need to have side wall thickness, it helps to absorb the shock, gives flex and bight and lessens the work shocks have to do. All those thin side wall tires are good for are making RAP videos and wearing out your A** on bumps because of the lessened rebound rates.

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RE: Off Roading on 18" wheels?? - 11/30/2007 6:40:54 PM

VanSmite

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Thanks for the input guys. I will be going with 17's at the most so I will keep looking.

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