Wheel Backspaceing
- Thread starter sc40
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As my 
would attest... I'm not the best to comment on any issues stylistic regarding 16.5" wheels, but IMHO, 16.5" wheels would be shooting yourself right in the foot as far as tire selection goes. And the nasty habbit of popping beads at lower pressures. Looking at the work trucks here it seems that the 17's are becoming the new heavy duty standard. Now back to your regularly scheduled program...
would attest... I'm not the best to comment on any issues stylistic regarding 16.5" wheels, but IMHO, 16.5" wheels would be shooting yourself right in the foot as far as tire selection goes. And the nasty habbit of popping beads at lower pressures. Looking at the work trucks here it seems that the 17's are becoming the new heavy duty standard. Now back to your regularly scheduled program...
Back spacing stock is 4.5", but anything between 4" and 4.5" seems to work well. I agree with ElJefe, 16.5's do pop beads often, and tire selection is slim (even slimmer with the Iraq stuff going on), stick with 16's or go 17's, .5 selections never seem to work out too great.
Edit: I see you are looking for these because of the deal on Clemson's tires, 16.5" tires usually aren't found for that cheap unless used, and only the pricey (unless again, used) Goodyear's for Hummers last very long. You will also end up spending more than you think on the rims, and would be better suited buying two sets of 16" tires.
Edit: I see you are looking for these because of the deal on Clemson's tires, 16.5" tires usually aren't found for that cheap unless used, and only the pricey (unless again, used) Goodyear's for Hummers last very long. You will also end up spending more than you think on the rims, and would be better suited buying two sets of 16" tires.
IF you have a local military vehicle specialist (one of the few things I'm lucky my town has), then it would be worth while due to the stock-pile of slightly used HMMVEE tires and Chevy wheels (6-lug, older wheels have large enough hub hole).
This is a GREAT deal on some tires, but the 16.5 kills the deal if you're not 8-Lug or can get a cheap 16.5 wheel.
This is a GREAT deal on some tires, but the 16.5 kills the deal if you're not 8-Lug or can get a cheap 16.5 wheel.
I have seen too many rigs blocking trails with 16.5's and a popped bead to even think about that as an option. Unless of course you don't EVER go off road. Then I still wouldn't get em.
The 16.5's have a much different rim profile. The profile on a 16/17/18... is nearly square at the shoulder where the bead seats, and often has a hump or safety bead just inside the bead to keep it there. The XX.5 profile slopes down at about 15deg toward the center of the rim and has no safety bead or hump to keep the tire's bead from slipping down and inward. The only thing keeping the tire bead pressed against the rim shoulder on a 16.5 is air pressure.
ElJefe said:
Very well said and true. Never buy a 16.5 for wheeling unless it's a double bead lock with the central inflation system (AKA the H1 setup)