16 vs. 16.5 rims

[RastaRobb]

Hey Fellas, I have always ran 16 inch rims, and have a chance to score a deal on tires and wheels, but they are 16.5's. I am pretty sure it matters very little, but would like to make sure. Any considerations I am missing?

[whitedog76]

Depends on how you are going to use the truck. The 16.5 are very limited in what you can get for tires.

Not to mention, they're usually very expensive when compared to their 16" counterpart.

Just some food for thought.

[willett]

Avoid 16.5's. they're an old school size and like the guy above me said there's not many tire choices out there. Interco is the only manufacturer that I know of that still makes a DECENT selection and they're mostly aggressive off road tires. I have also heard that you can squeeze 16's onto a 16.5 rim but its ill advised and you probably have to know somebody with a tire machine to have it done.

How do I know all of this? I'm running 16.5's on my truck

[RastaRobb]

Wow, I just checked Tire Rack. 75 options in a 265/ 75 R16. 0 in a 16.5
Same story when went up to a 285/75.

Is the 16.5 designed for a much bigger tire? The ones that are on the rims I am considering are 33's. Any insights?

[66crewcab]

1st.off...DO NOT mount a 16" tire on a 16.5 rim!!!! 16.5 rims do not have a safety bead built in that will not allow u to lower air pressures on off-road use! N like others have said...16.5 tires r limited avail..I'd go 16" if I was buying tires n rims!

[jjzepplin]

16.5's are a heavier weight rating load bearing design for stiff sidewall tires. A tapered type bead that holds the seal from pressure alone thus requiring more air pressure to maintain the bead seal. They are ok if you have a camper or on a tow truck but as said very few designs for replacement tires.
OH Yeah! What 66crewcab said about squeezing a 16 on a 16.5... won't work even if you did try it and someone would prolly get killed. Many warnings sent out when I was a tire jockey back in the day. Carnage was not pretty.

[Rubble]

I'm running 16.5 35s on my 86. Just put them on this winter,tires are BFG all terrains. Yes,like others said you are really limited for choice on 16.5s.I got the rims for next to nothing,so that's why I'm running these.

[Zane M]

Don't get them unless you like Interco's selection of agressive tires, or like the BFG all terrain(and they only produce those in batches).

The last time my friend bought tires for his Super Duty with 16.5s, he ended up with 33X12.50 All Terrains that had to come from four different locations across the country.

[Rubble]

Originally Posted by Zane M

Don't get them unless you like Interco's selection of agressive tires, or like the BFG all terrain(and they only produce those in batches).

The last time my friend bought tires for his Super Duty with 16.5s, he ended up with 33X12.50 All Terrains that had to come from four different locations across the country.

I got the All Terrains from our local tire dealer & he was able to get them in no problem.Might just be the area too...

[RastaRobb]

That's sound advice all the way around--think I am going to pass on this deal. Thanks fellas.

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by willett

Avoid 16.5's. they're an old school size and like the guy above me said there's not many tire choices out there. Interco is the only manufacturer that I know of that still makes a DECENT selection and they're mostly aggressive off road tires. I have also heard that you can squeeze 16's onto a 16.5 rim but its ill advised and you probably have to know somebody with a tire machine to have it done.

How do I know all of this? I'm running 16.5's on my truck

Actually a 16 inch tire is very easily put on a 16.5 rim. and it will blow off the rim as soon as you try and seat the beads. Don't even think of trying it. I don't like 16.5,s they don't have a good step or safety bead . let them get a little low on air and they easily break down.