Thread: 19" - 20" Rims Offroading - Real Life Experiences

I had the standard "Hollywood" rims and found that every time I got into the mud the wheels would be seriously out of balance when I got back on the tar. Basically lumps of mud were sticking onto the inside of the rim and had to be removed manually. Pain in the backside after a long hot day. I bit the bullet and changed to the 18” rims and have not had the problem since. It could just be the rim pattern / design that does not allow the mud to stick but I am happy with the 18” rims

Hi HarryO,
nup i have the same problem on sand.. But it's something i've learnt to tollerate pending how much time i actually spend offroad to onroad.. Found it's only wet stuff as well. But yes good negative point... Thanks..

You need to factor in the costs for re-furbishing or replacing the actual 20" rims, not just the tyres. The "bling" LR design leaves the rim spokes proud of the outer rim and makes them quite prone to damage. They may also crack internally earlier than the 18" rims as they're nowhere near as strong.

It's true that careful driving and cautious speed may counter some of this, but when outback driving that's not always possible. I ran 255/55R19's (with MT tyres) for a few months off-road prior to the 18" rims, and they were in need of re-furbishing after the 5th or 6th outing.

You also need to consider tyre replacement when outback - 285/50R20's don't exactly grow on trees. The 2 common 18" size (265/60R18 and 285/60R18) are both std fit to many of the newer Toyotas and Pajeros, so easier to source.

Going somewhat against that last point, if sidewall height is the sole objective and you don't mind a bit of plastic re-arranging and the legalities, a 275/65R18 will give you 179mm of sidewall height in an LT tyre with either MT or AT tread. However, it will be oversize and won't ride as comfortably as the smaller sizes.

However, if sticking with the OEM rims, then yes, the 20" tyre size is a little more forgiving when compared to the 19" and the Goodyear MTR no longer being available in that size. The Duratrek may fill that hole when released here in the 19" size.

Cheers,

Gordon

I am sticking with the 20" rims for now as well. Also had same issue re out of balance due to wet sand I suspect that the choice in 20"'s tires is just going to increase. I have the trailer fitted with 20" rims as well, along with spare, to provide lots of options if a tire change is needed. I used Disco front hubs (second hand $90 each) then had adapters machined up to fit existing axle. Works a treat. Maybe not perfect but so far no issues. The new Full Fat RR has 20" then only goes up from there.

HI Gordon,
Thanks for the comment, can you please elaborate on the following statement.

"They will also crack internally much sooner than the 18" rims as they're nowhere near as strong."

This is exactly my concern and if that is fact, it's definitely something would change my mind dramatically. However i don't fully understand why.

I've done an insane amount of search on strength and not found anything. Also done a search and cannot find anyone whom has actually broken a 20" rim? Which either says no one has or that no one has tried.

I'll always be carrying multi spares of either you're 18" or 20" depending on what i do. Just trying to get a full picture instead of just "statements" that people don't like larger tyres, and why...

I recall two customers telling me they cracked the LR rim off-road, and there was a report on one of the forums (either this one or Disco3) about hitting a cattle grid. Unfortunately I don't recall if they were the 19" or 20" rims.

One of the 19" rim options was advertised by LR as being the "off-road" design for the 2010 RRS, so presumably it was supposed to be less prone to damage - but they're the ones I had, so I wouldn't want any of the others! Mind you, I do some fairly hard off-roading, so perhaps not a fair test for the normal tourer.

Cheers,

Gordon

HI Gordon,
so i dug a little deeper into the load ratings etc of the rims. They all sit at 940KG. Other then obiviously running silly weird rims that have skinny spokes (not mine) comparing 18" to 20" or that of, the load ratings are identical..

I'm not sure why the strength would be different? I am super keen to learn however..

P.S i also do some pretty serious off-road stuff maybe not to your level, but am going to mount a winch on the front, and as previously mentioned a trip across the desert is planned for Sep 2013...

Firefox

Any chance of some photos.

I am thinking of exactly the same thing as you.

Can buy genuine 20" LR rims for less than a $1000.00 & the tyres for approx $1500.

As much as I would love Gordon's rims it is a $5-6K exercise although to be fair that is comparing new to used rims.

I am not planning on hardcore use, mainly sand & snow.

I believe the extra width associated with the 285's help spreads the load as well as the increased length from the higher sidewalls.