Mounting off-roading tires on the wrong type of wheel can cause tire failure that could leave you stranded. To avoid this issue, learn the elements of the best wheels for your off-roading vehicle.
Off-Road Wheel Load Capacity
Like tires, wheels (or rims) have load ratings. The load rating is the maximum weight the wheel can safely support. Wheel load ratings should equal or exceed tire load ratings.
Off-Road Wheel Size
The general rule for off-road wheel size is that the wheel diameter should never exceed half the tire’s diameter. This means, for example, if you’re running on a 35-inch tire, the wheel should not be larger than 17 inches in diameter.
Many off-roaders like smaller wheel diameters in order to run bigger tires, but be cautious when using this strategy. The wheel and tire must have compatible specifications, and the wheel must be large enough to fit over your vehicle’s brake calipers.
Wheel width is also critical. Tires will have an acceptable range of wheel width for safe mounting. If you’re switching out your wheels and tires, it’s best to stick with the original equipment’s measurements.
Metals for Off-Road Wheels
Choosing steel or aluminum wheels is an ongoing debate for off-roaders. Steel rims are heavier and less expensive. Aluminum rims are lighter and have a greater strength-to-weight ratio. Steel will rust, and aluminum will corrode, but corrosion on aluminum wheels is largely a cosmetic problem, whereas rust on a steel wheel can become a structural hazard. Most off-roaders choose aluminum wheels for their lighter and fuel-saving weight and their looks.
Wheel Bolt Placement and Offset
The bolt pattern on your wheels must match your vehicle. A wheel’s description should tell you how many bolts or lugs the wheel takes and the diameter of the imaginary circle the bolts form. These should meet the required specifications for your vehicle.
The offset type is also a consideration: wheels will have either a positive, negative, or zero offset. The offset is the distance from the wheel hub’s mounting surface to the center of the wheel. With a positive offset, the mounting surface is closer to the street side of the wheel, whereas the opposite is true for a negative offset. A zero offset has the mounting surface at the center of the wheel.
The offset determines whether a wheel will fit your vehicle properly without interfering with brakes, suspension, or any modifications you have made. When in doubt, ask your
custom wheel and tire shop to help you find wheels and tires that correctly fit your vehicle.
Bead Lock or Bead Grip
A bead lock tire has an additional, complex system of bolts holding an extra ring in place against the bead of the tire. These prevent the tire from coming off the bead when riding on ultra-low tire pressure for greater traction. Bead lock tires are generally not street legal. Wheels with newer bead grip technology may be street legal, and they’re less fussy than bead lock tires.
Fat Lip Customs of Haltom City, TX, can help you select the best wheels for your off-roading vehicle. Off-roaders in the Dallas–Fort Worth area should visit us to check out our selection and our superior service before making any purchase decisions about off-roading wheels.
