Ride quality of 22" vs 20"

[dkad260]

I've searched a few threads and have found some mixed reviews, so I wanted to try to narrow down the criteria.

The 2012 XL Denali I found has factory 22's and needs tires. I have always liked the 20" wheels but the 22's also look good, slight nod to the 22.

I will be going with the Michelin Defender LTX, I have had them 3 other times on 2 vehicles and they just get everything right.

I've driven a few half tons with 22's and what I found was the lack of small bump compliance from the tires, which is understandable.

Maybe that is different with the Defenders, I'm curious if the 22" defenders tend to soak up those small little Irregularities in the road or does it transfer it through the passenger cabin.

I'm curious to what people have experienced with the 20t" Defenders and the 22" Defenders on the 07 to 14 LWB models with the air ride.

I'm possibly debating switching to the 20" wheels, but the 22's just look right so it's a tough decision.

All input and criticism appreciated.

 

[cfmistry]

I have 22” Defenders on my Tahoe. Unfortunately, they do ride rough. I believe the compound is very stiff as it is a 70k-mile tire that starts with 8.5/32” tread. I am a big Michelin fan, but would not get them again.

 

[dkad260]

I have 22” Defenders on my Tahoe. Unfortunately, they do ride rough. I believe the compound is very stiff as it is a 70k-mile tire that starts with 8.5/32” tread. I am a big Michelin fan, but would not get them again.

What size are your Defenders? The 285/45/22 vatiant has 10.5/32 tread depth or are you measuring from the wear bars?

 

[91RS]

If you're already planning on the Defenders, keep the 22s. The only other tire I would consider is the Continental TerrainContact H/T but Tire Rack does mention it has "a loose but responsive steering feel that could benefit from more communication for precise small inputs." That doesn't seem to be the case for the Defenders and at regular prices the Defender isn't that much more. All the other tires offered in the 285/45/22 are way down the list.

The 20s will be a tiny bit more compliant, sure, but not enough to be that noticeable if you're running the Michelins either way. Yes, I've used both. The 22s handle better though with less sidewall roll. If you dig deeper into the claims, most people who claim more sidewall makes a big, huge, massive difference are people who want to buy cheaper tires or they want off-road tires (which are usually LT tires and much stiffer).

 

[cfmistry]

What size are your Defenders? The 285/45/22 vatiant has 10.5/32 tread depth or are you measuring from the wear bars?

Yes, sorry, referring to above the wear bar.

I have about 15k on them and they look practically new. So I do buy their long-life claim, but naturally, it comes with a cost (comfort).

They have rave reviews but mostly for the sizes with larger sidewalls.

I put Michelins on everything I own, but if the Tahoe needs tires again I would try a different model or different brand.

 

[91RS]

I disagree. The Michelin is the most comfortable 285/45/22 I’ve personally driven. I’ve driven a lot of the options and most do not ride very good. I have not driven the Continental TerrainContact H/T but I have driven the LX25 and it was ok but nothing to write home about. I’ve been considering trying the TerrainContact on my wife’s but I have a feeling I’ll just go for the Michelins because I know they’re the top dog and the Continentals aren’t that much cheaper.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I cannot help you on the 20" vs 22" tire ride properties question, as I have never owned 22" wheels.

I can tell you that I am very happy with my Michelin Defender 305/50x20 tires on my 07 Yukon XL Denali.

 

[Kee Fuller]

As soon as i wear out my 24”s, I’m going down to 22”s and going with the vogues With the red stripe

 

[dkad260]

Thanks for the replies.

Update on this and what was the basis for the thread.

I just picked up the 2012 Denali XL yesterday and this vehicle has the 22" dealer installed wheel option. I feel the wheel looks good but was weary of a 22" tire.

The vehicle also has almost wornnout H-rated Alenza Plus tires with 4/32 of tread. They ride smooth on smooth surfaces but a slightly rough road I can feel everything. I believe fhe Alenza Plus was one of the harder riding tires.

I'm guessing a swap to a new Defender from the Alenza Plus would be a huge difference, the tires feel like they have 60 PSI in them.

 

[91RS]

The Alenza is not a very good tire. If you go with the Defender LTX (NOT the Premier) or the Continental TerrainContact H/T, you should be happy with the 22s.

 

[avalonandl]

I have Defenders and I think the ride is fine. Not cushy, but not bad.

 

[petethepug]

H rated tires on a 50lb rim for a 3 ton truck would describe what your saying. Our Esky had the OEM Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza H rated tires when purchased last year.

I yanked them thinking noise from a worn hub was tire noise. Installed the same size UHP V rated Sentury tires our other vehicles run with a W rating. The road noise left only because the hub was replaced but the tire roll and mushy ride was gone with the extra sidewall reinforcement of the UHP tires.

The speed rating goes up of course, but the ride is key. The UTQG goes down from 600 to 500 but the tire is 4lb lighter at ea corner. It’s an odd tire company that specializes in aircraft tires for the 737, 700 / 800 / 900 aircraft but sells exclusively thru Discount Tire Stores.

I’ll likely go to a W rated tire next round just because of the mass of the tire.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[adventurenali92]

While I don’t roll on 22s(and my 2006 probably never will...lol) I can say with certainty that the Bridgestone duelers were hands down the worst tire I’ve ever rolled on. I bought my truck in early 2015 and I am only the second owner of it. Apparently it’s first owner traded it back in to the original dealership to buy a brand new one. Or so the story goes that the salesman told me. Lol. Anyways the dealer told me they had to put brand new tires on it as all four were close to no tread and they couldn’t sell it without. Being that it was a GM dealer, and a GMC vehicle, they put Bridgestone dueler alenzas on it. On a stock Denali 17 inch wheel, but same tire. I hated them. I live in a mountain ski town with lots of winding mountain roads, and cornering on those tires absolutely sucked. Lol. They were so squishy and I felt everything in the road. I will never go back to those tires. I ran the 275/55 size when I first stepped up to 20s and threw a used set of Michelin LTX M/S2 tires on them, which is the previous version of the current defender LTX tire and absolutely loved them. They rode well, cornered well and even with low tread at the end they still performed well in rain and a mild snowstorm we got. The defenders are a really good tire to run on these rigs.

 

[91RS]

Even in the 22" size the Alenzas don't handle well. I put a different set of 22" wheels on my truck for 24 hours just to see how they looked and they had Alenzas already mounted and when I took the ramp to the highway I thought I had taken my swaybars off compared to the Michelins.

 

[Jeffrey Howell]

I would go with the 20" and get rid of the 22" tires. My 20's have been great. I hear with the 22's you have smaller sidewall tires to fit and they bend a lot easier on potholes and such. I have a friend that has 22's and he has replaced all 4 rims at one time or another due to them getting bent.

 

[Nima]

I've searched a few threads and have found some mixed reviews, so I wanted to try to narrow down the criteria.

The 2012 XL Denali I found has factory 22's and needs tires. I have always liked the 20" wheels but the 22's also look good, slight nod to the 22.

I will be going with the Michelin Defender LTX, I have had them 3 other times on 2 vehicles and they just get everything right.

I've driven a few half tons with 22's and what I found was the lack of small bump compliance from the tires, which is understandable.

Maybe that is different with the Defenders, I'm curious if the 22" defenders tend to soak up those small little Irregularities in the road or does it transfer it through the passenger cabin.

I'm curious to what people have experienced with the 20t" Defenders and the 22" Defenders on the 07 to 14 LWB models with the air ride.

I'm possibly debating switching to the 20" wheels, but the 22's just look right so it's a tough decision.

All input and criticism appreciated.

21 generation is designed for a 22 wheel with bigger sidewall than the older generations I believe. I have a 21 high country tahoe with magnetic ride, the 22s are ok and ( I know which bumps you are talking about) there is no doubt the 20 is a better tire specially if you don't have the upgraded suspension systems and honestly i think 20s look
pretty good too.
I don't think the tire brand in your case would resolve your concern. If mine wouldn't come with 22s from factory I would get 20 winter and 18 summer propably

 

[Fubar0715]

20s for me all day. I run the Cooper AT3 285/50/20 on OE Silverado wheels and even though this rig is 4x4, the ride is smoother and quieter than my '03 Tahoe with Ohtsu/20s that was 2WD. Use to run GoodYears on the old 'HOE but once they wore a bit, the were slick and it felt like the ass-end was going to come around at any minute.

 

[avalonandl]

I changed from 22" Alenzas to Michelin Defenders and couldnt be happier.

The suspension is the real key.

 

[dkad260]

The Alenza is not a very good tire. If you go with the Defender LTX (NOT the Premier) or the Continental TerrainContact H/T, you should be happy with the 22s.

My apologies for a late reply, haven't been on the car forums for a few months, been poking my head in a couple but just been crazy busy with a bunch of things.

I did get a set of Defender LTX's in the 22" size and yes, I'm very happy with the ride. Sure over rough surfaces you can somewhat feel the difference the 45 series tire makes but it's so minimal there's no bother, very close to my 65 series Defender LTX's on my Envoy. I do need to change the front shocks, could be another issue, but as a test, I disconnected the Autoride connector and added the 3.9 ohm resistor and that slight washboard effect has gone away.

 

[avalonandl]

My apologies for a late reply, haven't been on the car forums for a few months, been poking my head in a couple but just been crazy busy with a bunch of things.

I did get a set of Defender LTX's in the 22" size and yes, I'm very happy with the ride. Sure over rough surfaces you can somewhat feel the difference the 45 series tire makes but it's so minimal there's no bother, very close to my 65 series Defender LTX's on my Envoy. I do need to change the front shocks, could be another issue, but as a test, I disconnected the Autoride connector and added the 3.9 ohm resistor and that slight washboard effect has gone away.

Interesting on the Ohm resistor. I need to change the struts on mine- they are OE and 165k miles. On big bumps I really notice them but this SUV is my main ride for a while....