20" vs 18" Wheels

[Seamonkey]

My Euro5 Sport ate through 18" front tyres. I was on my 7th set (halfway through) when I sold the van with 69000 miles on it. Very expensive!
I think Ford is aware of that as the Euro6 sport has the option to go with 17" wheels.
I chose the 18"s again on my Euro6 and it came with the same Goodyears as my Euro5 from the factory.
I can only imagine how much more expensive low profile 20" tyres will cost.
Something to consider when deciding to go 20".

[hitech-donk]

I thought that the issue with 18" tyres is that no-one make the correct size with a high enough load rating. This doesn't seem such a problem with 20's. I would expect the higher load rated tyre to last longer even with the lower profile.

[S60r]

I don't think it's a rating issue. The 101 rating is ample for the custom.

I think it's more the standard toe, castor, camber settings are made for the 16 wheel. If you go to 18's (as I have) be prepared for higher wear or adjust your alignment to suit. I will be doing the latter, I'll let you know what my friend with the Hunter machine recommends in terms of updated settings or what can be done if the hardware doesn't allow the adjustment.

[Seamonkey]

It's true that no tyre manufactorer makes tyres for vans in that size.
Do you expect they make them for 20" then?
My best bet is to stay away from 20"

[S60r]

Tyres for vans? What tyres does a Merc G wagen or a Lincoln Navigator wear with 20 or 22" alloys? There are loads of SUV's out there that are heavier than a transit!! My old Jeep had 20" alloys and weighed nearly 3 tonnes!! They were Pirelli scorpion verde and would go well on a lighter van I'm sure. The issue of tyre wear is down to the suspension and geometry.

[Seamonkey]

Hadn't thought of those to be honest. But still my experience with 4X4/SUV tyres on vans is that they also wear quicker. There are (or where) tyres out there that are specifically for vans and they have a different compound and pattern.
I was very happy with the Michelin Agilis on my vans before I went Ford.
Guess the more stylish looks with big wheels, comes at a price. And it's just plain ridiculous they make tyres for 4x4/SUVs but not for vans in those sizes.
What tyres do you recommend then for 20" wheels?
Also please share what you adjusted on your van to prevent wear.

[S60r]

I haven't adjusted yet, I'm going to my friend who has a full hunter alignment set up. He will take a look at my wear and advise. As soon as I have the details and print out I will post up.... mine have worn (scrubbed) on the outer sides, they are Bridgestone 18's. I am at 12500 miles on the tyres and I think I will have to change by 15000. I will get the alignment set to suit the 18's before I go for new rubber as I don't want the wear to repeat..... although 14-15k isn't bad on a front wheel drive remapped van.

The Jeep weighed in at under 3 tonnes and had over 480 BHP, it wore Pirelli scorpions and they wore very evenly... I won't go to 20's on the van for practical reasons........ tyres at 20" are often rated at 106 loading which is ample.... the ride won't be great though!

[Mike]

I would Mike, Compomotive quoted £20k+ for a new mould. Do you not think there's a market for 5x160 wheels?

Obviously not, or Compomotive would make them?

[kulataz]

riviera wheels have brought new ones out and have blank ones for custom pcd that they had on vw. Maybe there is a market

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[shire]

Any updates .......

Iv been looking at wheels for my Custom

20's obviously look better but my main concern with those is that the only company that makes tyres with a high enough load rating is 'Haida' which after a quick google seem garbage

Plus be interesting to know how the van drives generally and with a pack of bricks in the back

[S60r]

I don't understand how you can't find tyres??

The Pirelli scorpion verde I had on my jeep was a 255 40 20 with 110y load/speed rating.

There are literally hundreds of tyres out there 20" and indeed 18" with ample load ratings. What size tyre are you looking for? To keep the circumferences the same (or as close to oem) you'll need a 235 50 in 18" or a 255 40/35 in a 20". That way your speedo will be within tolerance.

The issue with the 20's will be the profile of the tyre. At 35 or 40 it will ride very hard and have to be kept well away from kerbs/building sites/pot holes etc so pretty pointless for a working van so I went with 18"..... no doubt the 20's will look superb though!

[S60r]

Huge thread revival so apologies in advance for digging it up but it may be helpful for someone.

I have just returned to the forum after 2 years away with a pick up.

The van I have bought came with 20” Calibre alloys. They were fitted by the dealer to make the van more attractive to buyers as the alloys it came to them with were corroded allegedly. I had trouble getting the insurance company to allow them but after conversations with the underwriters at Admiral they allowed them as a modification. They usually only allow a 2” increase over oem...... the best part... it cost no more!! Just appears as a noted mod.

I initially wanted to sell them as they are brand new with brand new tyres and I had huge doubts over how the ride would suffer.... the ride is firm but in no way unliveable and they look amazing so contrary to my previous posts 20’s are doable and can be lived with. How they wear and how practical they are I will have to report back on but the look and the ride are excellent. It really holds the road on 245’s!

[RichH]

Pics?


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[jinx]

I have been running 20 inch Bola alloys for best part of 2yrs now and no issues at all. I have until recently been using skyfire 105 rating 255/35/20 and they have been fine considering i push it around bends and roundabouts. Considering i only paid £1150 for the alloys inc tyres they have kept as new and they only get cleaned every few months with Bilberry wheel cleaner

[S60r]

Good to hear yours has been good on the Bola 20’s Jinx. Any need to do anything to the suspension or geometry settings or have they worn nice and evenly with the oem set up?

My wheels are also a wheel and tyre package that the dealer put on... these packages always come with shite tyres on! Mine are Nangkang as2+ and the size is 245 40 20 103y.
It will be good to use the cheap tyres as a guide to how they wear before I stick something decent on them down the line.

Pressure is the most important thing though and of course there is no guidance anywhere on what to run this size at..... I have started at 39 front and 38 rear to see how they wear...... what are yours at? My gut feeling is that is a bit high on the front and may end up around 36 but it will depend on scrubbing.


I’d like to put some pics up but I gave up on photobucket years ago..... any recommendations on what to use for hosting?

Cheers