Hot take: 18-22" Wheels on Base Model

[Silversoul]

I know everyone is thrilled to be getting an amazing offroading capable EV Truck/SUV, but I would like to put out there as well, having a "sub" $60k EV truck with 350 miles at all is amazing. I'd like to push that even further though, with smaller tires/wheels on the base model. Personally, I don't have a need for the offroading capabilities these vehicles offer, and if I could get some extra range due to a more aerodynamic design, I'd much prefer that. My plans include towing a boat and very little else, so 18-22" tires would already be more than enough for what I'd need. I think having this as an option at the very least would be nice.

Again, I'd be perfectly fine with this vehicle at all since the price/range ratio is already pretty good, I would just like to squeeze every ounce of efficiency that i can out of the Terra in particular.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

I’m no help here because 18 inch wheels are already too big for my tastes and intended use. I get where you’re coming from though, I hear you. Options are good because everyone uses vehicles in vastly different ways and locations.

It seems that more options could help with appealing to a wider buyer pool as long as the options list doesn’t get so long that it starts to increase the base price for everyone.

 

[Logan]

I too find it confusing how many EV's shoot themselves in the foot in terms of range, due to crazy large wheels (Silverado EV can be had with 24in wheels). And often, the higher trims of the vehicle will use larger wheels, and at the expense of range (which seems backwards, pay more money, for less range???).

Which, also, usually means that replacement tires are also very costly.

They've said that 18in is the minimum wheel size due to brake rotor/caliper clearances. But beyond that I agree.

That said, I'm coming from 15in wheels on my Jeep, and 19's on my Hyundai. I think anything in the 18-20 range is pretty common these days. But I wouldn't really want anything larger than that personally, especially not a on a vehicle like this.

And I'm in a somewhat similar boat to you. I will likely be wanting something between an all season, and a true all terrain tire. Maybe an "on road all terrain" tire (I was actually thinking of making a thread like this, maybe this is as good of a place as anywhere else?). As again, for my uses, which are more "getting to remote trailheads on bad forest roads" and "driving over mountain passes in the snow" than they are "driving the rubicon" at the moment, I'm ok with sacrificing some offroad performance, for some on road efficiency (but there is a reason I'm not looking at a hyundai ioniq 5 for this either, as I do want some capability, I just don't need 37's).

 

[Scoutsie]

I know everyone is thrilled to be getting an amazing offroading capable EV Truck/SUV, but I would like to put out there as well, having a "sub" $60k EV truck with 350 miles at all is amazing. I'd like to push that even further though, with smaller tires/wheels on the base model. Personally, I don't have a need for the offroading capabilities these vehicles offer, and if I could get some extra range due to a more aerodynamic design, I'd much prefer that. My plans include towing a boat and very little else, so 18-22" tires would already be more than enough for what I'd need. I think having this as an option at the very least would be nice.

Again, I'd be perfectly fine with this vehicle at all since the price/range ratio is already pretty good, I would just like to squeeze every ounce of efficiency that i can out of the Terra in particular.

I’m with you: 22” would probably be just fine. I do think that I’d appreciate the extra ground clearance from big huge tires (my current car rides incredibly low and I HATE IT FOR THAT REASON, among others), but it would be nice if I could actually lift the spare myself without crying or breaking my back or calling AAA for help. I think there’s a better chance of that happening with smaller tires. I am not physically strong. Just emotionally.

 

[Chuckles]

The 35" tires shown at CES were on 20" wheels. I don't think they have released the size of the 33's yet.

 

[Logan]

The 35" tires shown at CES were on 20" wheels. I don't think they have released the size of the 33's yet.

Correct. The prototypes all have 35's, on 20's.

But we do know that 18" will be the smallest possible wheel size.

We don't know the 33''s will be on 18's, but it does seem like a decent chance that that will happen.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I’m in the 18” wheel camp myself. I want more sidewall for better off road performance and better on street ride quality. 22” rims with small sidewall is going to ride really stiff.

 

[J Alynn]

I’m in the 18” wheel camp myself. I want more sidewall for better off road performance and better on street ride quality. 22” rims with small sidewall is going to ride really stiff.

Yeah-but in person the 35’s were spot on. Just the best of all worlds though who knows how it will drive

 

[Scoutsie]

Okay, I have learned something about this tire/wheel conundrum that I didn’t know… wheels and tires aren’t interchangeable terms. Got it!

 

[Logan]

Okay, I have learned something about this tire/wheel conundrum that I didn’t know… wheels and tires aren’t interchangeable terms. Got it!

(Wheels are the metal part that bolt to the vehicle with lugnuts, the tires are the rubber bit that goes on the wheel and touches the ground)

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Yeah-but in person the 35’s were spot on. Just the best of all worlds though who knows how it will drive

I’m sure the 20” wheels with a 35” tire would be fine for most cases. I just prefer a smaller wheel with larger tires. To me the 18” rim with 35” tires would be the perfect fit. Unless they offer 37” tires, and then I want those with my 18” rims.

 

[R1TVT]

The interesting thing is that it isn't just the wheel size itself that gets you better efficiency. It seems to be a combination of wheel size and weight + tire design (sidewall aerodynamics & tread & compound) + aerodynamics of the wheel itself. This is apparent with the three Rivian wheel and tire combos. They offer a 20, a 21 and a 22. The 21 is the most efficient OEM choice, and the 21's have aero covers (i believe) to maximize further.

I will agree (and based on Running 20's currently with AT's or dedicated Snows) that the 20's with 35's will be much more comfortable tires when on road than anything bigger in terms of wheel size!~

 

[oldgeeksguide]

(Wheels are the metal part that bolt to the vehicle with lugnuts, the tires are the rubber bit that goes on the wheel and touches the ground)

Yeah, now I want 18” tires on 20” wheels. People would stop and stare

 

[THil08]

Don’t pull a Chevy they put 16” rims and 285/75 it’s the most goofy looking thing. It looks like it’s riding on balloons. What ever the engineers do don’t do that. For both Model Terra or Traveler it will ruin the look.