20's Bad to take road trips with?

[Jellysick]

Well I kinda got a bad feeling about getting some new tires and wheels when I talked to a local tire and wheel place local to St. Louis. He mentioned that if I ever took a road trip with them and had a flat, I would be $hit outta luck cause not many places would have the hardware to pull apart a tire on a 20" rim to fix a flat. Either that or they wouldnt want to risk damaging such an expensive wheel doing so.
Also, on that same note, if my 20s with tires ended up being a different overall diameter of my current factory tires and wheels, I couldnt even use the spare in the case of a flat - from what I have read, it would mess up ABS, 4x4 Auto and even more that I dont know about. Is this true? Would I be messing things up even using my spare with 3 other rims until I got the original fixed? I am wondering if that would do damage to the car...

Let me know if you have any thoughts on this matter... I would LOVE to get some 20s and nice performance tires, but this is a pretty big concern.

Oh yea, this guy also said that 20s on this explorer would compromise the ride considerably and he sees people a lot that regret getting a similar setup. I know there is less sidewall to absorb bumps, which will make for a bit more bumpy ride, but will it be "BAD"?

Thanks again for all the input, you guys are so helpful!

-John

 

[draft]

That's complete bullcrap in my eyes. Each and every application is different on our Explorers, but he's making this sound like absolute hell for you.

Honestly, the ride gets hurt mostly that you feel alot more of the small junk, but not enough to label the ride "horrible", at all. Going over bumps and dips you gotta slow down some to keep it cool, at least I do. The handling is all the worth it, you'll feel it right off the bat. You aren't loosing much of a ride, seriously. I'm on 73K shocks with the 20s and it's really not that bad at all. You also have to remember, the Explorer is on a truck frame, and it's meant to ride like the truck, don't expect a BMW ride.

Road trips.. that's where he's right. You won't have a spare, and will need to call AAA or whatever. About shops not wanting to fix 20s.. uhm, as far as I know, if it involves them making money and business, I see no reason they'd turn you down. Professionals know how to properly take off the rubber from a wheel, it shouldn't be something you have to assume, but sadly, some cases you do.

He's got you grabbed from the crotch man... search through the forums, I'm sure you'll find some stories. I get my truck dropped 3" tomorrow... now, that's loosing your ride, and considerably too. I got new shocks on order to compensate and suspension bumpers.. but it's not going to make it feel like a stock ride.

Hope that helps some...

 

[Texplorer]

To fix the spare tire problem. Just get a cheap tire that mounts to your stock rim that is the same diameter of the 20's and put it in your spare tire location. That way if you get a flat you can put your stock rim on with the same diameter tire on it till you get your 20 fixed.

 

[Jellysick]

heh, I wouldnt say hes got me by the balls - this is just the first local place I stopped at to ask some questions. They really didnt even have crap for a Rim selection either. Great idea about the spare tire - if I get rims, I will definitely be doing that, thanks for the suggestion.
I know the ride would suffer in the feeling more bumps area, and I figured it would handle better, but he really blew it out of proportion. He even went as far as saying it WOULDNT handle better...
Anyways, I bought this explorer cause its an explorer, not a BMW. I like the ride, its awesome - and I love the look of new tires and wheels, it makes the vehicle unique.
The only problem is I would really prefer to get this from a local place instead of ordering online... hmm.
Thanks again for the replies...

 

[draft]

No sweat dude.

I'd suggest you keep shopping. Seriously, I work for a Motorsports shop down in California and we've got dealer prices on just about any dam rim you can think of. Our main suppliers are California Wheel Co. and West Coast Wheel Factory, with a few more side ones. Again, I know you'd rather and get this done locally, but if you need some hookups as far as the wheels go, I can definately do something for you. The tires will run you $150 a piece pretty much anywhere anyways. I forgot California Wheel's site, but check out westcoastwheelfactory.com for their selection. I'll try and find the others. But if you are interested, give me a call at the shop (SSP Motorsports) at (818)342-7707 and ask for Marc and I'll get you covered.

The handling is far more superior than stock though, I don't even know how you could say it's worse when you're upgrading to a wider tire... oh well. Once you get your rig hooked up, you'll be loving the looks and handling, and honestly, the ride change won't even occur to you if don't think about it, rather looking at the stares I know down here in Los Angeles.. I've only seen one other explorer and that was on 18s.. never again have I saw one with rims, it's unique.

 

[Jellysick]

draft, thanks a ton for the help... I just may take you up on that offer, at least maybe just a phone call to find out some info once I exhaust my options around here.
That is definitely nice of you to offer that though! I am so pumped to get these, I want them soon too so I can enjoy them for the summer!
Thanks again, and maybe I will be talking to you soon.

-John

 

[rob17san]

I also have 20" wheels with 275 45 20 tires. The ride is still good, just mildly comprimised. Not enough to worry about it. Now if you get 22"s and lower profile tires, thats where the ride is bad. Road trips are not recommended for the simple fact of miles on your tires. they are expensive. keep your stocker wheels for the trips.

 

[X~FACTOR]

^good point. Although taking your 20's on road trips are the best. You need to look good and pimpin' while you're having a good time! :smoke:

Here's a thought- is there a run flat tire for 20's?

 

[Robb]

He mentioned that if I ever took a road trip with them and had a flat, I would be $hit outta luck cause not many places would have the hardware to pull apart a tire on a 20" rim to fix a flat.

This is actually the truth. Once you get out of metropolitan areas, tire shops with mounting machines than can handle 20s will be very few, and very far far between.

Texplorer's idea is a good one!

 

[james t]

Just about everyone on this forum that has 20's runs a 275/45/20. Throw a 255/70/15 on your spare and you're good to go.

 

[Crankcase]

This is actually the truth. Once you get out of metropolitan areas, tire shops with mounting machines than can handle 20s will be very few, and very far far between.

Texplorer's idea is a good one!

Mom and Pop tires hsops will definitley look at you funny....