welp.....NHTSA is cocerned. the Auto Manuf.'s are concerned......... we (GSA) are concerned.......
every Ameican driver on the road needs to be concerned....
Upgrading wheels and tires on SUV's........
going to larger diameter wheels and bigger tires always changes the vehicles ride and handling characteristics...... and thats what the aftermarket salesperson usually addresses..
but what most of them dont even think about is.........
unsprung weight......and payload. now granted.. most of the folks that do these beamoth wheel upgrades are not megga haulers... but just the same... it needs to be pointed out...
for intstance: going to a 22" or 24" inch wheel and the tire to match can add up to as much as 100 lbs per corner on the vehicle...thats 400lbs of weight...if you have a 1/2 ton payload... .you are now down to 600lbs carrying capacity.... thats a big jump......
the unsprung weight is a big concern... this extra weight creates a lot of stress on the suspension and braking system that was never envisioned by the O.E. manufacturer.........
some manufacturers have gotten wise already and are restricting some of thier dealerships on what they are allowed to do on upfits of wheels and tires......
unlike europe..where wheels have to pass very strict testing before marketed... in the U.S.... the wheels industry is "self regulated"... the only wheels testing that comes into play is if you happen to be an O.E. supplier...
i think these folks forgot that when you go to larger, heavier wheels and tires... the brakes are overworked. if you want to go 24"...then change your brakes to a higher performance system... but lets face it.. most the buyers of big shiney chrome wheels and big fat fancy tires dont even think about the brakes... or want to put any money on "stupid ol brakes"....... untill its time you need them in a hurry...
anyway.......... just thought i'd thrown this frisbee yalls way.
happy monday..
laters
__________________
every Ameican driver on the road needs to be concerned....
Upgrading wheels and tires on SUV's........
going to larger diameter wheels and bigger tires always changes the vehicles ride and handling characteristics...... and thats what the aftermarket salesperson usually addresses..
but what most of them dont even think about is.........
unsprung weight......and payload. now granted.. most of the folks that do these beamoth wheel upgrades are not megga haulers... but just the same... it needs to be pointed out...
for intstance: going to a 22" or 24" inch wheel and the tire to match can add up to as much as 100 lbs per corner on the vehicle...thats 400lbs of weight...if you have a 1/2 ton payload... .you are now down to 600lbs carrying capacity.... thats a big jump......
the unsprung weight is a big concern... this extra weight creates a lot of stress on the suspension and braking system that was never envisioned by the O.E. manufacturer.........
some manufacturers have gotten wise already and are restricting some of thier dealerships on what they are allowed to do on upfits of wheels and tires......
unlike europe..where wheels have to pass very strict testing before marketed... in the U.S.... the wheels industry is "self regulated"... the only wheels testing that comes into play is if you happen to be an O.E. supplier...
i think these folks forgot that when you go to larger, heavier wheels and tires... the brakes are overworked. if you want to go 24"...then change your brakes to a higher performance system... but lets face it.. most the buyers of big shiney chrome wheels and big fat fancy tires dont even think about the brakes... or want to put any money on "stupid ol brakes"....... untill its time you need them in a hurry...
anyway.......... just thought i'd thrown this frisbee yalls way.
happy monday..
laters
__________________
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