Picked new rims. But need help picking tires!

K King · February 7, 2002

Hi everyone!

This is my first post to this forum.. This looks like the place to be for GM Trucks. I found your site when someone posted your site over on the Corvette Forum.

In a week I'm picking up a 2002 Tahoe in Yellow! I've picked new rims for for it but I'm having a hard time with tires.

The rims are American Racing Nooz I can go 18" or 20"

I'd like to go to the 20" but I'll be towing a car hauler and don't know the implications of this change.

The dealer has sugested Nitto 404's, Toyo Proxy ST's and Eagle 2's

18" tire size 285-60R-18

20" tire size 285-50R-20

I'd like to have a tire that looked like it was ment for a truck and not a race car (back to the towing thing) I just like my truck looking like a truck not a big car.

Any and all comments on tires and the towing issue would be appreciated. Thanks

Ken

95Yukon · February 7, 2002

First of all, welcome to the forum!

For 18s, There are the Michelin Pilot LTX and Bridgestone Dueler H/P tires which both look like a truck tire, if that is what you are looking for. You can see those at http://www.victoriatire.com who also has good prices. http://www.vulcantire.com has good prices too, but the selection is more limited for those sizes.

That particular size 20 inch is somewhat rare, the 295/50/20 and 305/45/20 are more common, but Goodyear makes an Eagle GT II in the 285/50 size, put is more sportier tread than truck tread, but worth a look.

I think the Michelins are the best value for their treadwear rating for the price and have a good reputation. If you will be towing any heavy loads, try to compare different load ratings..I believe the 20s with the smaller sidewalls will have a lower tolerance to heavy loads than the 18 inch. I suppose it really would depend on the tounge weight more than the actual weight of the load you are pulling.

Here's a little tool to compare sizes for different combinations http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

I have the Falken Ziex tires which are designed for heavier loads of a truck than most performance oriented tires, buy if you don't want a performance looking tread, you won't want those on your truck. They have a directional tread similar to a corvette tire.

The 18s will definately give you more choices in tires to fit them than the 20s. It will be difficult to find many 20 inch tires with a truck tread, but I think those Michelins do come in 20s as well. Michelin is a great tire with excellent longevity.

Good luck! Post a pic when it's in your driveway and all bolted on. Congrats on your purchase!

djames · February 7, 2002

If you want a tire that looks like it belongs on a truck I'd stay away from the 20's. You must also remember that the lower profile you go on the tires the more wear your going to put on the rest of your suspension. You may be able to take a corner a little faster with a lower profile tire but it's nice to have a little rubber between the road and the rim to suck up the initial shock of those pot holes

edgzo6 · February 19, 2002

Excellent choice on your rims. It's the same choice I made. My rims should arrive tomorrow. The best tires are without a doubt the Toyo Proxies. If you haven't seen them yet, you have to check out the tread pattern. My friend has them on his Escalade with 22"s, not enough sidewall I think. Excellent ride quality, low road noise & excellent water channelling. I went with the American Racing Nooz 20" with tire size 305/50-20. Tire height will be 32 inches even, an increase over my stock height by 1.4 inches. Although I'm losing 4 inches of sidewall by increasing the wheel diameter I gain back 1.4"s. I should have some pics by the end of the weekend.

By the way my truck is a 2002 Yukon SLT.