Is a 22" do everything tire realistic?

[Longbox]

Hello everyone! long time lurker, after 3 months of reading threads I am finally joining the fun.
Apologies for my first post being a tire question, but I am deep in the snow belt and need to decide on two sets of tires ASAP.

new to me 2022 1500 limited 5.7 (coils no air) currently on stock 285/45r22 Scorpion Verdes that seem comfortable in the 3 months I've had them.
Is it possible to keep the responsive handling but add a little more off road capability on a 22" rim, without ending up with an expensive compromise that does nothing well?

I do everything with my truck so I'd like something sporty on pavement that tackles backcountry roads and doesn't need a shoe horn to fit. I was thinking 33" tires and was leaning toward the uncommon ($$$) 285/50r22, so the choice is basically down to LT yokohama geolandar g015 or LT toyo open country A/TIII.

If trying to keep the factory 22s is just causing myself grief, I already have a nice set OEM of 20's planned for winter tires on that I could potentially use.

anyone else trying to have their cake and eat it too? anyone that has made the switch? anything I've missed? thoughts appreciated.

 

[boogielander]

remember this:
the smaller the wheel is, the more tire you can get.

running a 33s on 22s only gives you about 5.5" of sidewall, assuming the tire is a true 33. 5.5" of sidewall is nowhere near enough for off pavement driving, since there is not enough rubber material to absorb impacts from rocks, dips, potholes, etc.

even 20s are not really enough. Go 18s instead as that is the smallest size you can fit on these trucks.
running 33s on 18s give you 7.5" of sidewall, assuming the tire is true 33. You have 2 more inches of sidewall to give you room for airing down, sidewall flex, impact absorption.

 

[1923bob]

I have 33X12,50R22 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT I love them but don't go off road,

 

[HemiDude]

I originally looked into tires with similar characteristics you mentioned for my 22s, I finally decided the choices were too limited and prices were stupid for that size. I went back to my 20” for winter tires, and decided I like the ride so much better that I sold the 22s. Wishing you luck finding a setup you are happy with.

 

[sincityz1989]

305/45R22 gives a lot more tire options (32.8 inches). That's what I ran for a few years.

Here's a pic of my truck completely stock with 305/45R22 tires.

 

[1923bob]

 

[Bertman]

Do the 305/45's last longer, or affect the power/gas mileage much? I have 51k miles and my second set of tires are pretty much shot. Stock tires had no traction after 18k miles and my Cooper Discoverer's have had a short life.

 

[Longbox]

Thank you all for the replies. My search continues.

I am considering a 275/50r22 tire, way more options for a touch less size, better prices as well .

I am also strongly considering a 275/60r20. I am trying to find out how a 20" will compare to the 22". 18" tires feel considerably more bouncy.

Wondering if a 20" LT hit the sweet spot of handling and rim protection. The price difference fades away with the 275's, just have to get another set of rims.

 

[Lscmark]

305/45R22 gives a lot more tire options (32.8 inches). That's what I ran for a few years.

Here's a pic of my truck completely stock with 305/45R22 tires. View attachment 210486

Which Nexen tires are you running, and are you happy with them?

 

[boogielander]

Thank you all for the replies. My search continues.

I am considering a 275/50r22 tire, way more options for a touch less size, better prices as well .

I am also strongly considering a 275/60r20. I am trying to find out how a 20" will compare to the 22". 18" tires feel considerably more bouncy.

Wondering if a 20" LT hit the sweet spot of handling and rim protection. The price difference fades away with the 275's, just have to get another set of rims.

huh? 18" wheels feel considerably more bouncy?
that doesn't make sense at all, as you will have more tire to absorb the road than 20 or 22. the more wheel you have, the less tire you will have. the more tire you have, the less road impact you will have. if you feel 18s are more bouncy, you are either running the wrong tires or wrong PSI.

as someone who's been doing this professionally for years, trust me, 18 is the tire to go especially when you're gonna be off pavement.

 

[Longbox]

huh? 18" wheels feel considerably more bouncy?
that doesn't make sense at all, as you will have more tire to absorb the road than 20 or 22. the more wheel you have, the less tire you will have. the more tire you have, the less road impact you will have. if you feel 18s are more bouncy, you are either running the wrong tires or wrong PSI.

as someone who's been doing this professionally for years, trust me, 18 is the tire to go especially when you're gonna be off pavement.

Maybe bouncy was the wrong word. I am referring to the lateral handling, when changing lanes and such, feels less sharp/crisp on an 18" tire vs a 22".

Yes it could be setup, individual tire construction, but either way there seems to be consensus on this point for everything I have read so far.

open to ideas.

in the mean time I ordered a set of 20's and i'm gonna try and have my cake and eat it too.