So what all the negative hype about 16.5" rims. all i hear is they suck but no reason.
I'm kinda a Young Buck

So spill it!:flipoff2: :beer:

well Computer Cowboy, if you got your ass off of the computer and actually did some real world analysis, you would know that 16.5"s have no safety bead to hold the tire on the rim at low pressure. so they blow beads a lot. DAN. :flipoff2:

9-volt is correct...BUT, they don't suck. They are the best choice if you need a wheel to clear 1-ton brakes. You just can't run them under about 11psi unless you've got beadlocks.

-Steve

I wheel with a guy running 39.5 swampers on 16.5 rims, he usually airs down to roughly 15psi. 73 F350 flatbed, weighs about 7000lbs, never blew a bead yet....go figgure..

I was actually wondering the same thing.. the only other advantage I can see of a 15 is that you've got better tire selection...

I run my 44's on 16.5 rims, mine are the stock style chev with a saftey bed, I run at 5psi with no problems so far. aftermarket rims have no saftey bead though, on my original rims with no bead you let the air out and stand on the sidewall to unset the tire.

A little education for some of you :p

The 16.5" rim safety bead myth (http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/16_5_rims_and_safety_beads.htm)

yup those are the wheels I have on my truck alright, I can put down enough power to wrinkle the sidewalls without the tires slipping any noticable amount.

One downside of 16.5's is the lack of sidewall flex, no matter what rims you run them on. Not a big deal, just something to add to the discussion. Many tires for 16.5" rims are also higher weight rated, which generally means thicker, tougher sidewalls.

you really think 3/4 of an inch less sidewall between you and the ground makes that much difference? or are the 16.5 tires built heavier to start with?

16.5-15=1.5"

Ii is more an issue of tire construction than of sidewall height. Most 16.5's are made to be compatable with GVW's of 1-ton trucks, and thus are of stiffer construction. This is also true with 16's. This is changing, however, with the trend toward 16" rims on 1/2 tons. 16.5's will always be high load rated, as there are no 16.5 1/2 tons. If you have a 33-12.50 15 and a 33-12.50 16.5, both of the same load rating, they will exibit roughly the same sidewall flex, however if you have a load range "E" 16.5 and a load range "C" 15, the 15 will flex far more.

Originally posted by Hayraker
16.5-15=1.5"

yup they have a 1.5" larger diamter, but a .75" larger radius. therefore between the hub and the ground there is .75" less rubber and .75" more metal :D

Aren't most of the competing rock crawlers now running 17" rims???

Originally posted by mytzlflick
I run my 44's on 16.5 rims, mine are the stock style chev with a saftey bed, I run at 5psi with no problems so far. aftermarket rims have no saftey bead though, on my original rims with no bead you let the air out and stand on the sidewall to unset the tire.

This isn't true....my weld Typhoons have a 15 degree bead as well....still shopping for a 9.75" rim that's steel with center post air ports or inflation valves....

most guys that are really into competitions run beadlocks no matter what size wheel it is.

It seems alot of tire manufacturers are phasing out the 16.5" rim in favour of a 17" rim ie goodyear's Mtrs. Not sure why though?

typhoons have the saftey bead? I stand corrected, anyone know of a 12 inch steel 16.5 with them?
the reason most manufacturers are getting into larger rims at the request of the vehicle manufacturers, they want shorter sidewalls to regain steering feel and handling while still having the benifits of larger tires.
I think for what i do wheeling the heavier construction is better than flexy sidewalls, the heavier it is the harder it will be to hurt the sidewalls.

The way to go with a 16.5 inch rim so that the tires dont pop off is to get some hummer rims which are two sided beadlocks.

Yes, most of the competitors are running bigger rims mostly 17". Goodyears and the new competition BFG's are available for 17" wheels. I just got back from Farmington Pro-Rock event. I really didn't understand why either, but what most had to say was that this allows the vehicle to climb better. More sidewall, say with a 15" wheel allows the sidewall to "recoil" which causes the tires to bounce in a climb, where the less sidewall holds its line better. By what I saw they seem to work great. I may be trying a set of 16.5" Hummer rims soon on some 42"s. BTW, I even heard a few shouts of competitors wanting 18" wheels and tires for competing. But I cant say who:flipoff2: .

also 17" rim has larger circumfrance so it will hold the tire better ;)