Sizing Rims for 17 inch Light Truck Tires

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I'm looking for some new rims for my 2008 Chev 3/4 ton. I just want to stay with my stock LT 265 70R17 size. The stock beat-up rims, now relegated to winter tire service, are 7.5 inches wide. Some tire stores recommend 7 to 8.5 " wide rims for LT style tires in this size. The 7.5 aftermarket rims are not very common and I'm not sure why Chevy used that size. The LT 265 70R17 tire is 10.4 inches wide at the tread and just fits inside my wheel well when I turn lock to lock. Anyone have experience or recommendations for rim width? The 8 and 8.5" wide rims are easy to get. Thanks.
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I would think that the oem wheels were made thinner to save $$ at the factory.

The last few vehicles I have had, had 8 or 8.5" wide wheels. I would feel comfortable going that way with your Silverado and LT tires.
 
go to tire rack and find the specifications on your tire, IME go in the middle of the range. For instance a BFG KO says 7-8.8 and specs measured on 8"
 
When I bought a 2006 3500 chev, the first thing I did was take off the 16 inch tires and wheels and put 265/70/17 Toyo M55s on 17X9 inch wheels.
Same with the 2011 2500 SLE, put the stock 265/60/20 on 20X9' wheels. When those wore out, I replaced the tires with 275/65/20 Hankook RW-11s.
For summer, I put 275/65/20 Michelin LTX on the stock 20X8.5 wheels.

Last March I bought a 2018 3500 Chev. The stock tires, 265/70/18s made it home 140 Kms. On went the old Michelins until November, then replaced with 275/65/20 Nitto EXOs.
Toyo 285/75/18 AT2 went on the stock 18X8" wheels, and the stock tires went on 6 bolt 18x9" Fuel wheels for summer use on a 2013 1500 SLT.

Last November, I put 265/70/17 Toyo CTs on the stock 17X7" wheels on a 2016 2500 GMC work truck. The tires look pinched on the narrow wheels. Some 255/80/17s would have a better fit.

In short, your 265/70/17 tires work very well on 9" wide wheels.

www.tiresize.com
 
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I'm not as familiar with how LT tires work with different rims, but that narrower rim size leaves more curve in the sidewall, whereas the wider rim will result in the sidewall being more straight. I've read others posting that the rounded sidewall allows it to flex more readily over smaller obstacles, allowing for a smoother ride. That could be a pro or a con, depending on how your truck rides now and what your preferences are. This is in addition to sidewall height.
 
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