rastas wrote:

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On my landcruiser I have split rims. When I recently put new tyres on I was advised that if I was caravanning that I would be better to change to solid rims. The advice was that it wood give me a lot better ride. As I am not mechanically minded I thought that  maybe some fellow Grey Nomads may be able to shine some light on the subject.

 

Regards Rastas

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 This is probably going to start a ruckus.   I see two schools of thought.  One is going to be that; Toyota (and all the other manufacturers) have engineers, mechanics designers etc who spend many hours in designing etc.   The manufacturer then spends more hours and dollars in R&D .  The end product is a vehicle that they believe is best set up for its type/purpose and that we shouldn't go fiddling around with it.  

The other school believes that the manufacturers have simply made a 'general' choice of wheels (and other bits and bobs) and thus it can be improved.  

Who is right?  Maybe both have a fair point.

Personally, I have always advocated that some improvements can be made to suit my specific needs.   I prefer a slightly wider tyre (remembering to adjust the profile/aspect accordingly).   This usually (but not always) means a slightly wider wheel to accomodate said tyre.   I prefer an alloy as they are less likely to bend (but can shatter).   I also prefer the asthetics of a wheel that is not just plain drably painted steel.

Now every chicken thinks it has laid the best egg, so obviously I think I'm correct in my 'modifications'.   I do have some formal training and a wealth of practical experience (but don't we all).   Am I upsetting  (even slightly) the 'balance' of the vehicle that Toyota (and others) have worked so hard to achieve?  One thing I have noticed.   The Australian Army, British, Army, U.S. Army and others, leave the standard wheels on their vehicles.   They all tow some pretty heavy stuff in some pretty nasty places and don't appear to have too many dramas.  Some of these people tell me that they would like different tyres for diffrent uses rather than 'one type does all'.    Ride can be improved through suspension, weight distribution and other factors (where does it end).   See if you can 'trial' someone else's unit that is identical to yours but with the solids.   May be go to a couple of dealerships and test drive some with the optional upgrades etc.   You're going to get alot of different opinions and what works for me, may well not work for you.   Listen to them all and adapt, adopt or reject  as you see fit.   But remember you will be altering the dynamics of that car (if only slightly).

Bottom line. (To be read using  a faster, more exciting voice)   Go for it!!.   They look better, feel better, only put a bit more strain on allied components but it does cost.