Time for a this vs that tire/wheel choice question

[jpop8807]

Rig 2016 Ram Rebel
Current tires Nitto Terra Grapplers g2 285/75R17 (They come stock with 285 70 17's) I parked next to a standard ram with stock 20's when I had my air ride in normal mode and it's tires were bigger mine were dry rotted so I jumped up to the 285 75's problem solved.

Anyways I will eventually need to get a full size spare and tire no rush currently. I am debating on aftermarket wheels. Here are my choices for tire size. You'll see why I'm looking to replace wheels.

315 70 17
Pros
many many choices tires seem to be around 60-66lbs
Will be around 1 inch wider then my 285's
I can run them on my stock rebel wheels

Cons
Won't be much taller from rim to road half an inch over diameter
Larger Contact patch means more rolling resistance/decrease in fuel mileage most likely
If I run on stock rebel wheels from what I've seen on RamRebel.org you might not be able to fit a pinky between the tire and UCA if not less depending on tire so new wheels with different offset

285/75R18
Pros
1 inch taller overall from where I'm at .5 inch taller sidewall
Keep the same width so less RR possibly less MPG loss but more pressure on smaller footprint when off roading (read somewhere that might be a good thing) I'm not in sand much if at all, snow rarely.
Less offset change with more room to clear UCA I believe
Roughly same tire weight if not a bit lighter for some brands

Cons
Very small choice in tire brands like my current 285 75
Will need 18s which I see seem to cost more including tire
Might be harder to find replacement if I have blowout somewhere.

What are your opinions? I mean I don't mind my current setup. I could just keep that find a standard rebel wheel and match that. But I kinda would love black wheels on my white rebel.

 

[jbaucom]

I'm not usually a fan of wheel spacers, but if the 315/70R17s will fit tightly without rubbing the UCA, then would a 1/4" wheel spacer give you enough clearance to use the 315/70R17s on stock wheels? It would be a low budget solution to the potential clearance issue.

 

[GATORB8]

I would stick with 17s regardless of if you get aftermarket wheels. No reason to pay more for 18" tires and you give up sidewall that not only provides wheel protection, it allows you to get a better air down footprint. Only exception being a planned brake upgrade that would require moving to 18s.

Watch out for too much offset in aftermarket wheels, you can trade a UCA clearance issue for a pinch seam/fender issue.

My DT Ram has a similar suspension setup to the DS. I only went 20s because they came stock, and it looks like they have about a quarter inch more offset (+19mm compared to +25.4mm on the DS 17s), but I clear a 295/65R20 Ridge Grappler on stock wheels.

315/70R17s and 35x12.50R17s are very close in size, so may be worth cross shopping the two sizes. A pinky of clearance is still clearance.

 

[tacollie]

I run 285/75r18. There are a lot of options in that size. That size comes stock on some trucks. One thing to consider is they are usually 4000lbs+ rated which means they may ride a little harsh. The 17" options are going to give you more range in load ratings which should ride better. The 35x12.5r17 is a good suggestion. There are a few companies making 35x11.5r17 which may work if you can find a tire you like.

Personally I would try to run your current rims. If you decide to buy rims I would stick with 17s. I want 17s but I don't want to spend the money ?.