Largest tyre profile for 20inch wheel

[SimmoT6]

After some help please, sure I can't be the only one who hates the 20inch wheels on their transporter. Kerbed/scuffed too many times now. Where I drive and park it is almost unavoidable.
Ideally I dont want to fork out for new wheels, I want to know what's the biggest tyre wall people have fitted on a 20inch rim with no issues. I have low profiles at present and keen to change. Any advice would be much appreciated.
2017 T6 shuttle. T32

Any help would be much appreciated thanks.

 

[BognorMotors]

Our go to tyre for a 9” x 20 is a 265/40. This size works well. If it’s 8.5. X 20 then look at 245/45

HTH

 

[SimmoT6]

Our go to tyre for a 9” x 20 is a 265/40. This size works well. If it’s 8.5. X 20 then look at 245/45

HTH

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.
Would you say going any bigger an issue with rubbing then or just looks? I get the speedo may be out slightly but have a gps so I'm OK with that.
I mainly use my van for mountain biking and end up in countryside laybys, on poor mountain roads etc. I should get some swamper type but Im trying to avoid the cost if unnecessary.

 

[CarreraRSR]

A 275 40 on a rear 8.5 rim is too wide but gives some rim protection. This is too wide on many levels for the front. A 245 45 on front 8.5 rim give zero rim protection from kerbs/rocks. Just rolling up a kerb slowly is super close to hitting the rim with this tyre.

See pics for comparison.

 

[jayc001]

Different tyre brands come up different in overal width for the same stated dimensions but also have different size rim protectors. Continental for example have particularly good rim protection on the Premium contact range which is why I chose them on the wifes car There's literally 15mm more rubber on the rim edge than the Michelins I removed.

On my T6 I run 255/40 on a 8.5J. I have Accellera branded tyres and these have a pretty good rim protection. Considering I'm in and out of tight hospital car parks with big kurbs on a daily basis no dings in 20k mileage.

 

[SimmoT6]

A 275 40 on a rear 8.5 rim is too wide but gives some rim protection. This is too wide on many levels for the front. A 245 45 on front 8.5 rim give zero rim protection from kerbs/rocks. Just rolling up a kerb slowly is super close to hitting the rim with this tyre.

See pics for comparison.

View attachment 217920View attachment 217921

Thanks for the time taken to reply and the pictures, definitely helps me to see
When you say 'too wide' is that because of looks, dirt thrown up the side etc?

Different tyre brands come up different in overal width for the same stated dimensions but also have different size rim protectors. Continental for example have particularly good rim protection on the Premium contact range which is why I chose them on the wifes car There's literally 15mm more rubber on the rim edge than the Michelins I removed.

On my T6 I run 255/40 on a 8.5J. I have Accellera branded tyres and these have a pretty good rim protection. Considering I'm in and out of tight hospital car parks with big kurbs on a daily basis no dings in 20k mileage.

Good to have an idea beands to look at and that difference you mentioned. Think I am getting closer to knowing what I need

 

[SimmoT6]

I have just spoken to the van dealer, VW specialist, and they recommended 275/40/20. Said that is what they are now putting on all their transporters and not getting any issues. That would replace the current 255/35/ZR20.
Seems like they may stick out a little but assured they fit and won't rub anywhere.
@CarreraRSR was it a definite no for you?

 

[CarreraRSR]

I have just spoken to the van dealer, VW specialist, and they recommended 275/40/20. Said that is what they are now putting on all their transporters and not getting any issues. That would replace the current 255/35/ZR20.
Seems like they may stick out a little but assured they fit and won't rub anywhere.
@CarreraRSR was it a definite no for you?

Here's an image of 275 40 Windforce and 275 Uniroyal. The Windforce has a squarer side wall and clearly not as wide as the Uniroyal. It did not rub on the front. The Uniroyal does. So tyre brand is as important as the size chosen

 

[SimmoT6]

Here's an image of 275 40 Windforce and 275 Uniroyal. The Windforce has a squarer side wall and clearly not as wide as the Uniroyal. It did not rub on the front. The Uniroyal does. So tyre brand is as important as the size chosen

View attachment 217926

View attachment 217927

Thanks for quick reply. Seems like there is a little bit of unknown. I'll chase the dealer up again to see what brand they use otherwise there is variables I won't see. Feel like I've gone down a tyre rabbit hole

 

[dubber36]

It would probably be cheaper to buy some delivery mileage Devonports with tyres than it would be than buy 4 new 20" tyres which will have rubbing and muck slinging issues. You could use the 17's for daily use and keep the 20's for best.

 

[jayc001]

I ran 275 40 20 on my T5.1 shuttle. Mainly because I did a lot of European mileage and it's an easy size to get in the event of a blowout. That said it is too tall on the gearing for a DSG in my opinion especially for towing hence why I chose 255 40 on my Caravelle.

 

[Salty Spuds]

It would probably be cheaper to buy some delivery mileage Devonports with tyres than it would be than buy 4 new 20" tyres which will have rubbing and muck slinging issues. You could use the 17's for daily use and keep the 20's for best.

If he puts the Devonports on, he’ll never go back to the 20’s

 

[BenT5]

265/40/20 is perfect for a non-staggered set up on a T32. Wider and higher profile sizes make the van more sluggish and give more lateral roll on corners as the tyre width is too wide for the rim and basically there's a lot of rubber being deformed between the rim and ground. A lot of manufacturers do not recommend 275 for a 9" rim or less. Keep the load rating to 103 or 104 as any higher can be too stiff.

 

[Drive Wayne]

You would certainly regret 275's on the front come the white stuff! I have 245/45 on 8.5's. 275/40 on the back on 10's. Almost looking forward to snow to see how these new CC2's perform!

 

[BognorMotors]

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.
Would you say going any bigger an issue with rubbing then or just looks? I get the speedo may be out slightly but have a gps so I'm OK with that.
I mainly use my van for mountain biking and end up in countryside laybys, on poor mountain roads etc. I should get some swamper type but Im trying to avoid the cost if unnecessary.

You can go 275/35 (up to T30). 275/40 is too big full stop. The only reason it’s offered is because it’s an ex Range Rover size so well catered for, load rated and cheap. Other issues that work dependant on tyre width rim sizes

275/35
255/40
255/35

A 275/40 with a decent level of lowering will rub, best to avoid this size.

HTH

 

[norcbot]

I have 255/45 they were fine when I wasn't lowered but do on full lock now I'm down 50-60mm. I use mine for mountain biking too so get abit off track stuff. I have thought about going down to 255/40