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17 vs 18 Wheel

Nado

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So, I think I have finally chosen a damn wheel to get rid of the 20" Fuels that came on the truck. But, wanted to check on one more issue

17x8.5 - Max Load is 2650lbs per Method Wheels
18x9 - Max Load is 3640lbs per Method Wheels

What exactly am I sacrificing here? Total payload? Total hauling capability?
Will be running a 35x12.5 size tire. Im wondering if the 8.5" width on the 17 is wide enough?

Thanks!
 

Crusty old shellback

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17: rim will give you a max loaded truck weight of 10600 lbs. That will not include towing weight, only tounge weight plus your truck and cargo.
17s will give you more tire sidewall which will give you a better ride on and off road.
 

Nado

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17: rim will give you a max loaded truck weight of 10600 lbs. That will not include towing weight, only tounge weight plus your truck and cargo.
17s will give you more tire sidewall which will give you a better ride on and off road.
So given the truck probably weighs close to 7200lbs...that only leaves me with like 3000lbs for payload, passengers, and tongue weight should I tow something.

Sounds like I should get the 18s to be safe.

Ey?
 

Nado

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Then again...the GVWR for the stock 2500 Laramie is 10,000lbs. So the 17s can still support that. Or am I wrong there?
 

Crusty old shellback

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If the sticker says 10K, then you are good with the 17's at 10600. But getting close to their "rated" limit.
 

Nado

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If the sticker says 10K, then you are good with the 17's at 10600. But getting close to their "rated" limit.

So that begs the questions. 1) will I ever really reach max payload, and 2) are the ratings conservative or weak?
 

Crusty old shellback

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No Problem.

When I was looking for new rims and tires for the wife's truck, I found that the biggest selection of tires was on 17" rims. 20" rims were second.

The truck had 16" rims and one of them had cracked and started leaking. Of course the rims I had bought were centerlines that were no longer made, so I had no choice but to change.

And we run 17" rims on the desert race truck running 40" BFG's. :)
 

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