In the world of trucks, modifications of all sorts are quite popular. One of the most common modifications to trucks is the addition of newer, bigger wheels. Before investing in larger tires, however, it’s important to weigh both the pros and cons of installing larger tires on your truck.
Video Overview
The Pros
Gives Your Truck More Clearance
Look at any truck with larger than average tires, and you’ll notice that installing larger tires gives a truck more clearance from the ground. Even a few extra inches of distance from the ground makes your truck more capable on all kinds of terrain—you’ll never need to worry about scraping the bottom of your car when going over a bump. It’s important to note that you may need to install a lift kit or wheel spacers to further raise your truck and allow it to accommodate the larger wheels.
Improves Off-Roading Experience
Many truck owners who decide to install larger tires on their trucks are avid off-roaders. That’s because in addition to giving a truck a higher clearance from the ground—a must for any off-roading vehicle—larger tires help increase your truck’s traction on bumpy, muddy, or sandy ground.
Allow You To Customize Your Truck
Larger tires certainly have practical value, but it would be wrong to forget that they have aesthetic value as well! Generally, trucks with bigger tires are considered cooler-looking, and since changing your tires isn’t a terribly complicated process, doing so is a good way to customize your vehicle.
The Cons
They’re Expensive
One significant drawback of larger tires is the cost of purchasing and installing them. Not only will you need to pay for a whole new set of tires, but since they are larger than your old ones, those new tires will also be more expensive. Often, you’ll also need to pay for a lift kit that will help your truck accommodate the larger tires.
Reduces Your Truck’s Fuel Economy
Bigger tires tend to reduce your truck’s fuel economy. This is because big tires weigh more than smaller ones. That extra weight means your truck will need to expend more fuel to accelerate, and its brakes will likely experience additional strain. Larger tires also mean more rolling resistance, which can further lower your truck’s fuel economy.
Decreases Accuracy of Speedometer
With the addition of larger tires, you may also notice that your truck’s speedometer is less accurate than before. A speedometer calculates your vehicle’s speed in part based on the number of revolutions your truck’s average-sized tires make. So, when you change the size of your truck’s wheels, you may need to recalibrate the speedometer to read correctly once more.
After considering the pros and cons of installing larger tires on your truck, you’ll be able to decide whether larger tires are a good choice for your vehicle.
