15" wheels vs. 16" wheels?

[Sloan]

I tried several searches but couldn't find what I wanted. Is there an advantage to running a 16" wheel over a 15"? It seems that most expedition vehicles run 16" wheels and I am wondering why that is.

 

[slosurfer]

I think most modern vehicles run at least 16" wheels to make room for bigger brakes. I have 15" on my 4runner and 16" on our tacoma, I like how much cheaper tires are for my 4runner.

 

[Jacket]

If you have the choice, don't 15" tires tend to be a bit cheaper?

 

[SOAZ]

If you have the choice, don't 15" tires tend to be a bit cheaper?

Yes, plus that extra side-wall is nice!

 

[madizell]

There isn't necessarily "extra" sidewall in either a 15 or 16 inch tire. It depends on aspect ratio and tire size just how much sidewall you have. One advantage to 16's, all other considerations being equal, is there is a somewhat greater choice of tall skinny tires in 16. One such example would be 235/85/16. I don't find anyone who makes 235/85/15. An extreme example going the other way would be to look at 20 inch tires with an aspect ratio of 45. These tires have nearly no sidewall despite being much taller tires. If, what was meant, was that for the same diameter tire (such as a 32 inch tire), a x15 inch tire will have more sidewall than a x16, this would be true because the height has to come from somewhere.

Generally, you can change from 15 to 16, but not the other way around if your vehicle was built to take a 16 because the smaller wheel won't clear the brakes.

The original question was with regard to the advantage of running 16 versus 15. I believe the advantage is in the availability of choice in tall skinny tires, which are the most popular style for expedition use.

 

[michaelgroves]

16" wheels and tyres are by far the most popular size for 4x4 vehicles around the world - esp in third world countries, where it can sometimes be hard to get anything other than 7.50x16 tyres! Hence one reason they are popular for expedition vehicles.

I like them because they are taller; for the same amount of sidewall you get a 1" taller tyre. On the other hand, for the same overall height of tyre, I guess it's debatable if less sidewall is a disadvantage or a virtue. With an already tall tyre, 33" or larger, I personally think more sidewall becomes a distinct liability. Yes, more sidewall allows more flex, but if you air down a long way, huge sidewalls start to fold instead of flex. So I prefer 16", and could be persuaded that 17" or 18" is a good idea from a technical point of view.

More steel/alu and less rubber also makes for weight reduction on big tyres, and you're buying and discarding less rubber on each set of tyres.

 

[SOAZ]

There isn't necessarily "extra" sidewall in either a 15 or 16 inch tire. It depends on aspect ratio and tire size just how much sidewall you have. One advantage to 16's, all other considerations being equal, is there is a somewhat greater choice of tall skinny tires in 16. One such example would be 235/85/16. I don't find anyone who makes 235/85/15. An extreme example going the other way would be to look at 20 inch tires with an aspect ratio of 45. These tires have nearly no sidewall despite being much taller tires. If, what was meant, was that for the same diameter tire (such as a 32 inch tire), a x15 inch tire will have more sidewall than a x16, this would be true because the height has to come from somewhere.

Generally, you can change from 15 to 16, but not the other way around if your vehicle was built to take a 16 because the smaller wheel won't clear the brakes.

The original question was with regard to the advantage of running 16 versus 15. I believe the advantage is in the availability of choice in tall skinny tires, which are the most popular style for expedition use.

:iagree:
Yep exactly. I meant assuming all things the same there is more sidewall. I actually like the 16 tire options better too, but sometimes I wouldn't mind the lower cost associated with a 33x10.50x15