Anyone have any experience with 16.5x12 to 22x14 width wheels with tires accordingly to get more floatation on sand or mud. The pure weight of this mega cab and these pizza cutters is nowhere near the performance I need. What is the use of 4WD when I can't get in the sand without getting nervous. My theory is spreading out more of the weight of this barge by going to a ballooned out wheel/tire giving me the best floatation capabilities possible. I have 33x12.50x16.5 BFG's w/ not even 4000 miles on them from my last truck. Either I buy 8 lug 16.5x12 rims or wider tire for my stockers? Would I be able to run that wide of rim/tire with the KORE 3" lift? I bought a Dodge trying to avoid a rock.

 

Are you airing-down your tires for the sand? I run 15-18psi on the beach and I have no problems going anywhere I want. Stock 265/70/17 tires barely work on the sand, even aired-down. 285/70/17 BFG AT KOs were a huge improvement over the stock size tires. I replaced the wornout 285s with 305/65/17 BFG AT KOs. They are over 12" wide but the same height as 285s. The 305s really float on top of the sand at 18psi.
pic with 285s:

305s:

 

16.5" wheels will not clear your calipers on an '06.

 

I had 06 crew z71 and I used 16.5x12 rims, I had to grind off 1/8-1/16 of the caliper because it came with the factory 17" wheels. On top of grinding I used 1/4 spacer to push the inside of the rim away from the caliper and it worked great. The 33" BFG's w/Weld Racing six-lug rims I have do not even have 4,000 miles. I have not had any luck trying to sell the tires and rims so I figured I will just try to buy som 8-lug 16.5x12 rims and solve my no floation problem off-road. I just would hate to buy tires for these factory rims and be dissapointed with the floatation capabilities. Thanks for replies/advice.

 

don't air down the 16.5's and expect them to stay on the beads. 16.5" rims and tires have gone the way of the dodo bird for a reason.

 

Unless you're running H1's with beadlocks--that's a 16.5x10 8-lug rim You just need dually hubs to run 'em

 

The way of the dodo bird because people run flat tires and for some reason they won't stay on the rim...... or because of 20x12, 22x14, 24x14? Doesn't Super Swamper make almost every tire available in a 16.5" rim. Yeah a 8-10 rockkrawler desert runner suspension with 22x14 and some Toyo's, sign me up. 10K later and by the way looking for sponsors. So basically running stock rims and donutting and big tire aired down is the best solution and not to mention on board air. I appreciate all the comments/advice.

 

16.5 rims do not have a bead retention lip and are not designed for running the low air pressures needed for soft sand. Regardless, you need at least 17" rims to clear the calipers on a 3rd gen 2500/3500. There are numerous tire choices(including tires available from interco) that will fit the stock 17x8 rims and provide excellent offroad performance. Up to 315/70/17 or 35x12.5x17 will fit the stock suspension/rims with only minor rubbing on the control arms at full steering lock. An AT or MT in 285/70/17, 285/75/17, 295/70/17, 305/65/17, or 305/70/17 will fit with no rubbing and will vastly improve sand performance. At 7,000lb+, these trucks are too heavy for soft beach sand unless you air down or you never stop. I have driven alot of miles on the beaches of Delaware and North Carolina. If you try to drive on ultra soft beach sand without airing-down, you will get stuck.

 

Surfram, I appreciate the information. I tend to get into soft powder sand getting to off the beaten path spots and parking gets crazy with the tanners/tourists at some surf spots. I was checking the limits Friday night and yeah almost framed out. I am going to be honest, I do not like the idea of having to airdown to get to places. Streching a 12.50" tire or wider onto a 12" wide rim should produce the same results as an airdown 12.50 on stock rim?

 

A 12.5" wide tire on a 12 rim will not work. You will need a 13.5" to 15.5" wide tire to use a 12" wide rim. The tire/rim/suspension combo will not be cheap and I doubt that it would provide better sand performance than an aired-down 305 or 315 on the stock rims. Get a powertank setup if you do not want on-board air or have access to a compressor close to the beach. Good luck.

 

The benefits of airing down your tires are without question regardless of what size tire/wheel combo you choose...

Why do you think everything but the mildest off road vehicles use beadlocks?