15 inch wheels vs. 17 inch wheels

[superyota]

I'm currently running 15x8 steel wheels.  It seems as though the majority of the market is moving to a 17 inch rim.  I'm just wondering what everyone is running, and if you could, start a pros and cons list of each size.  I really don't want to swap to a 17, but Mtr's and Bfg's are the only tires I really want to run, and it seems as though thats all they offer in a 37 or bigger.  So post up and lets see the pros and cons between 15's and 17's.

[John Doe]

 What little I can contribute: There is no question about it, tires are expensive. Especially when your talking 37" and up. In the past I had a problem with loosing a bead and then having to swap to my spare. To correct that problem I wanted bead locks and I think its stupid to only secure 1 bead and not the other. With these 2 issues in mind I finally decided on a set of 8 bolt hmmwv rims (16.5) recentered with grooved hmmwv tires for the street. 1 day I'll step up to a more aggressive tire (Irok, pitbull rocker, etc). I haven't yet taken these new tires to the trail but when I do I'll let you know. What I do know is I now know I can safely air down real low with out the fear of loosing a bead and there is a large source of cheap street tires from many vendors on pirate.

I'll post a pic tomorrow.

[Tofudude]

their was another topic about this, but i think it ended up being that you can't fit bigger brakes with the 15's (for the bigger and newer trucks). Plus the bigger rim is supposed to make it better for stopping... something like that

[IMMUDDY]

This is a quote from another thread about 15 vs.17

Bigger wheel equals less sidewall. Less sidewall equals less sidewall wash at low pressure. You still get a wider footprint but without the steering problems. Which just makes for better handling offroad and even onroad at street pressure for the same reason.

[Joey88RUNR]

Im Having a hard time trying to decide If i wanna upgrade to 17s and 37s. I currently have 35s on 15s and they have done me well but im always looking to upgrade, and the only reason I bought them is because thats the biggest I could get in a 15inch rim for the tire of my choice. I won the buy 2 get 2 raceline or allied beadlocks at the roundup. this is gonna end up costing alot more then I thought!

[daniresch]

Im Having a hard time trying to decide If i wanna upgrade to 17s and 37s. I currently have 35s on 15s and they have done me well but im always looking to upgrade, and the only reason I bought them is because thats the biggest I could get in a 15inch rim for the tire of my choice. I won the buy 2 get 2 raceline or allied beadlocks at the roundup. this is gonna end up costing alot more then I thought!

I'm on the same boat, decided i'm going to buy 17's next for more options.

[TacoRunner]

All the cool kids are doing it.

[superyota]

I would run 17's if I had the cash to fork out for new wheels.  Seems as though the industry is starting to move away from 15's slowly but surely.  Then again, you can still get some good tires on a 15 inch rim.  Iroks, Rockers, swampers, etc.

[TacoRunner]

Anything bigger than a 35" is  going 17". Bummer because the single largest tire size ran by us is a 37".

[Dooner]

I run 17 x 37's on my Burb and flat get it at Pismo at 15 to 20 lbs, lots of power sliding and railing along the tops of cresent dunes blowing roost over the tops.. great handling, great floatation, and havent lost a bead yet

[83 Crawler]

cant wait to go 17s and 40in km2s and i think 17s look really good

[Joey88RUNR]

I think I have decided to just beadlock my 35s, my tires are still almost new and would be dumb to put myself 2500 in debt to have 17s and 37s. It would be nice but not practicle. those raceline 17s sure are badass though.

[daniresch]

the raceline 17 beadlocks are the only new wheels i've come across that i'd consider buying so far