Another tire/wheel thread: 19" vs 18"

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

hatch

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2018
Posts
116
Reaction score
18
Location
Pennsylvania
Sorry to post another tire thread, as there are multiple already here that are very informative on tire options for 19" and 18" wheels.

I'll be looking to upgrade from the awful OEM Contis on my 2013 LR4 before winter rolls around and am a little underwhelmed with the number of options available for the 19" wheels. That said, the Duratracs and the TerrainContacts both look like solid tires.

Obviously, going to 18" opens up the field quite a bit. But doing so comes with a big price tag.

So, I'm left with the question: Do I need 18s?

Perhaps if I'm even asking that question, the answer is no. But, I'd appreciate any info on the pros/cons of going to 18 vs. staying with 19s.

Are the sidewalls on tires for the 19s a major weakness when hitting the trail? Or is it much ado about nothing?

I've seen the fact that the LR4s come with only 19 and 20" options offered up as evidence that LR abandoned serious offroad use when they made that decision. Does this hold water?

Anyway, any thoughts on the what/why/when of 18" vs. 19" are appreciated.
 

ryanjl

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Posts
3,008
Reaction score
1,786
Location
KCMO
The issue isn't necessarily the size of the sidewall, it's the strength of the sidewall in the available tires.

18" wheels open up a world of "E" range tires with a lot stronger sidewalls.

But, the extra rubber does allow you to air the tires down for a smoother ride and more traction off road.
 

ttforcefed

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2010
Posts
498
Reaction score
144
on the street i think the difference comes down to is there one random pothole that might bend a 19 inch wheel but not the 18? possibly but who the hell knows. stick with 19s for street driving.

when it comes to offroad which i know thing about im assuming the objective is have as little rim and as much tire as possible?
 

hatch

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2018
Posts
116
Reaction score
18
Location
Pennsylvania
Well perhaps that's part of recommendations/advice on 18 vs. 19: in my case, whatever goes on, stays on. If I stick w/ the 19s, they're my full time wheels. If I go 18s, they will be to. No swapping for regular road vs. offroad use. I need something that can be primarily on-road, but that I can take on the beach (obviously 19 is fine for this) and trust on trails, two-tracks, stream crossings, etc.
 

Bleukh123

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2018
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Location
Lebanon
Hey guys,
i'm currently running 19's on my LR4 2011. Kumho Crugen HP91.
Im looking for an AT.
My utmost concerns are 1st wetness traction (which is 40-50% of the time )then snow and light off road.(30% of the time)
At the moment i'm not looking to modify the car in anyway, so no rods or spacers etc..

Here is the total run down.

in the 19's - 255/55
1- Duratrac
2- Cooper LTZ Zeon
3- Conti’s Terraincontact AT


in the 20's - 265/50

1- Cooper Discoverer AT3 4s
2-Nitto Terra Grappler

in the 20's - 275/45
1-Cooper Discoverer AT3

Can anyone comment on the 19’s?
Which suits my needs best.

When considering 20inch Rims.
I'm leaning mostly towards the 265/50/20 Cooper Discoverer AT3 4s, mainly because the DEX rating for Wetness is C.

Compared to every other ALL terrain mentioned above they are all in the E Level.

has anyone run the Cooper's in 265/50?
any specific advice whether that is the tire i am looking for in case i switch to 20’s?

Cheers.
fullsizeoutput_c91-jpg.8289
 

Bleukh123

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2018
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Location
Lebanon
I just remembered the Kumho Roadventure at51, they also come in 255/55r19.
As well as the Goodyear wrangler adventure with Kevlar.

Has anyone run the Goodyear’s ?
Kumho?

Do they handle well on wet payvment and rain?
 
Last edited:

hatch

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2018
Posts
116
Reaction score
18
Location
Pennsylvania
Certainly please provide Bleukh123 with specific model recommendations if you so choose, but if we can keep this thread OT, I'd be grateful for any guidance on the 18 vs. 19 question.

Trying to get a good handle on if 19s are a major handicap when it comes to offroad performance or if it is a more minor drawback. There seems to be a lot of folks who go the 18" route, and given the cost involved, the fact that a lot of people are going that way leads me to believe there's a lot to be gained by going to 18.

Additionally, you find opinions like this (from another forum) in regards to the 19s:

"This is the most telling issue for the LR4 that demonstrates LR's abandonment of their roots. They made a truck that cannot use off-road tires (of suitable load range and sidewall) without aftermarket modification. Let the absurdity of that sink in.."

"The brand is a new Disco 5 and Defender away from becoming dead/irrelevant to off-road enthusiasts."

On the other hand, you've got Land Rover running the 19" Duratracs in field trials/demos/etc.

So I continue to be left wondering whether some of the strong language on LR not offering 18s on the LR4/Disco 4 is warranted, or goes way overboard.

As mentioned, any insight would be appreciated.
 

BrandonM7

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2016
Posts
141
Reaction score
93
Location
GA, USA
Certainly please provide Bleukh123 with specific model recommendations if you so choose, but if we can keep this thread OT, I'd be grateful for any guidance on the 18 vs. 19 question.

Trying to get a good handle on if 19s are a major handicap when it comes to offroad performance or if it is a more minor drawback. There seems to be a lot of folks who go the 18" route, and given the cost involved, the fact that a lot of people are going that way leads me to believe there's a lot to be gained by going to 18.

Additionally, you find opinions like this (from another forum) in regards to the 19s:

"This is the most telling issue for the LR4 that demonstrates LR's abandonment of their roots. They made a truck that cannot use off-road tires (of suitable load range and sidewall) without aftermarket modification. Let the absurdity of that sink in.."

"The brand is a new Disco 5 and Defender away from becoming dead/irrelevant to off-road enthusiasts."

On the other hand, you've got Land Rover running the 19" Duratracs in field trials/demos/etc.

So I continue to be left wondering whether some of the strong language on LR not offering 18s on the LR4/Disco 4 is warranted, or goes way overboard.

As mentioned, any insight would be appreciated.

Keep your 19" wheels and get the Conti ATs unless you just like ******* away money to seem tough. You aren't doing anything that will be beyond those. Even the "serious off-roaders" here would be fine with that (insert hate comments here with pictures of a tire a few inches off the ground to show how ********* you are, other members.) You won't be held back by the 19" wheels.
 

RobRover88

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2015
Posts
121
Reaction score
93
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Re: 19"'s vs 18"'s, I'm currently waiting on the ship bringing my 5 new Compomotive 18"'s from the U.K. to Australia. I've already got my best price on BFG A/T's KO2's. (265-60 18")
My simple reason is that IF we are going to do roadtrips taking in some of our greatest scenic countryside; e.g. The Flinders Ranges in South Australia then you absolutely HAVE TO have tough sidewalls on your AT tyres. OR you would need 3-4 spares on a roof rack to get you home. The flint-like rocks rip the sidewalls out of "normal" A/T's. The BFG KO2's are the best sidewalls
you can buy, even tougher than equivalent Coopers.
I'm an old guy who doesn't like changing flats in the bush - mud, rocky trails etc. The investment in the expensive 18"'s is justified in my opinion. Same as for the Kaymar rear wheel carrier, 100 litre auxhiliary
tank, snorkel, bullbar, driving lights, rockrails, compressor guard etc, that I'm fitting this year. The LR4 is brilliant offroad - more comfy than the Toyota Landcruisers that rule the (off)road here. It's just that LR
have lost the plot when it comes to wheels. They could simply have produced their own 18" wheels as optional equipment to those buyers who want to use their LR vehicles like the Land Rovers of yesteryear.
I've driven in Utah, Colorado etc & if I was doing serious trail work there I'd want the 18's & BFG KO2's.
 

hatch

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2018
Posts
116
Reaction score
18
Location
Pennsylvania
Sounds like two completely opposing opinions. Keep 'em coming. ;)

The more feedback on 18" vs 19", the better.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
36,201
Posts
217,349
Members
30,461
Latest member
okamgba1463
Top