Wheel + Tire combo 17-18" better than 20" for smoother ride?

[05YukonXL]

Let me explain... I'm looking at a 2014 Suburban LT (w/90k miles - 2WD) that comes equipped with 20"x8.5" LTZ wheels with fairly new 275/55/20 Goodyear LS-2 tires, however the test drive on that combo felt way to 'stiff' - every little bump and imperfection in the road (and there are a lot of them) seemed amplified and very noticeable as compared to my to my 2005 Yukon XL (w/217k miles - 2WD) that is on the OEM wheel 17"x7.5" with 265/70/17 (Bridgestone 'Dueler H/L Alenza' highway tires currently, Michelins prior) which has provided a very smooth road/highway experience for 220k miles.

Could it be simply the tire size and poor Goodyear tires on the 2014, maybe a difference in suspension, or chassis??

I believe getting smaller OEM wheels like 17"x7.5" (265/70/17) or even 18"x8 (265/65/18) could/should improve the ride as there is more tire 'sidewall' as overall diameter stays about 31-31".

Thank you for any insights.

 

[kbuskill]

More sidewall will definitely equate to smoother ride at the expense of some "body roll" in the curves... but it's not like these trucks are meant to carve canyons.

 

[gooffeyguy]

When going over potholes my 2001 with the 17" wheels and AT tires takes it softer than my 2012 Denali with the Alenza H/L 20's

 

[swathdiver]

Let me explain... I'm looking at a 2014 Suburban LT (w/90k miles - 2WD) that comes equipped with 20"x8.5" LTZ wheels with fairly new 275/55/20 Goodyear LS-2 tires, however the test drive on that combo felt way to 'stiff' - every little bump and imperfection in the road (and there are a lot of them) seemed amplified and very noticeable as compared to my to my 2005 Yukon XL (w/217k miles - 2WD) that is on the OEM wheel 17"x7.5" with 265/70/17 (Bridgestone 'Dueler H/L Alenza' highway tires currently, Michelins prior) which has provided a very smooth road/highway experience for 220k miles.

Could it be simply the tire size and poor Goodyear tires on the 2014, maybe a difference in suspension, or chassis??

I believe getting smaller OEM wheels like 17"x7.5" (265/70/17) or even 18"x8 (265/65/18) could/should improve the ride as there is more tire 'sidewall' as overall diameter stays about 31-31".

Thank you for any insights.

It could be that the LTZ needs new rear shocks and or an air compressor too. Goodyear tires are not known for a cushy ride. Put 50-100 pounds in the back and she'll settle down too.

IMO, the taller sidewall from the 17" and 18" wheels will offer a smoother ride (same overall height).

 

[BG1988]

Let me explain... I'm looking at a 2014 Suburban LT (w/90k miles - 2WD) that comes equipped with 20"x8.5" LTZ wheels with fairly new 275/55/20 Goodyear LS-2 tires, however the test drive on that combo felt way to 'stiff' - every little bump and imperfection in the road (and there are a lot of them) seemed amplified and very noticeable as compared to my to my 2005 Yukon XL (w/217k miles - 2WD) that is on the OEM wheel 17"x7.5" with 265/70/17 (Bridgestone 'Dueler H/L Alenza' highway tires currently, Michelins prior) which has provided a very smooth road/highway experience for 220k miles.

Could it be simply the tire size and poor Goodyear tires on the 2014, maybe a difference in suspension, or chassis??

I believe getting smaller OEM wheels like 17"x7.5" (265/70/17) or even 18"x8 (265/65/18) could/should improve the ride as there is more tire 'sidewall' as overall diameter stays about 31-31".

Thank you for any insights.

go with 18" 265/65/18
balanced choice

17" cons

17" wheels have very little clearance
poor brake rotors cooling
70 ratio side wall is more likely to pop or blow out or bubble
This is fine on a pick up truck with leaf spring suspension
limited choices for the rim




i'd stay away from Bridgestone's Dueler A/T RH-S
they have issues in the 21st century still
my duelers have a flat spot (Possible internal tread separation on one of the tires)


it thumps like my last firestone tire did, Internal tread separation.

i tried calling bridgestone about it they did not care at all.. they don't care about you, only $$$$...



it's also a geologist aka a rock collector..

 

[05YukonXL]

Thanks for the feedback. Makes me a little more confident that I buy this 2014 LT I can replace the wheels with 18" rims and better tires for an improved ride - not sure it will match the 2005 ride of course. (I have a line on new factory 18"x8" wrapped in Michelins at a local tire shop. The tell me a client 'upgraded' a new Silverado with 22" wheels.)

These suburbans are better in a straight line than canyon carving for sure (I have another car for that) so a smooth quiet ride is preferred.

 

[adventurenali92]

Larger true size will make the ride smoother however tire choice for the 20 inch wheels makes the world of a difference. Rap those 20s in a new Michelin defender LTX tire and se will ride smooth for sure! The suspension on the 2007-2014 LTZ package and enali package SUVs is pretty much the same as it was on my
20”6 Denali. Air ride suspension in the back and electronically dampened front shocks. Though the GMT900s has the addition of struts on the front I believe. Their ide pretty well. I’m rolling on 2015 factory 20s on my 2006 but I also stepped up to a 275/60 series tire and it rises really smoothly. So tire size will make a big difference in ride quality as well.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Ride 'smoothness' is certainly a subjective and personal decision, as everybody's definition and preference for a smoother or stiffer ride differs to some extent.

I believe that my 07 Yukon XL Denali's ride is smooth enough for me with the stock 20x8.5/31mm rims and Michelin Defender LTX M/S 305/50x20 tires. I did find a dramatic improvement in ride quality when I upgraded to Michelins from the previous Goodyear Wrangler SR-A 275/60x20 tires.

Also, the rear air ride suspension was removed and replaced with springs and coil-over shocks in the rear, prior to me purchasing it.

I should note that based upon my ride preferences over my several decades of driving, and suspension choices that I have made in the past, my ride quality preference is probably skewed a bit toward the stiffer side of the ride spectrum than the midpoint.

 

[petethepug]

The 17” rims on our 06 Denali vs the 20” on the 08 Denali did make a difference in absorbing the road. Obviously one is NBS and the other is NNBS, but the 17”s larger sidewalls do make a huge difference.

I second checking the shocks as a primary culprit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Big Mama]

What he said. Check the suspension. Neither should feel every bump in the road.