How to Choose the Right Tacoma Wheels for Towing & Hauling

When it comes to making the most of your Toyota Tacoma, towing and hauling are major contributors. While you may want your pickup to be able to tackle some of the toughest terrain or to power through all kinds of work tasks, towing and hauling capabilities can take it to the next level. If you’re going to push your truck to the limit, having the right Tacoma wheels for towing and hauling is essential. Whether you’re pulling a boat, moving construction tools and materials, or carrying heavy loads in the bed, the right Tacoma wheels will ensure that you don’t run into any problems when you’re weighed down.

Why You Need Specific Wheels for Towing and Hauling

When you’re carrying a lot of weight either in the truck’s bed or on a trailer, there will be a lot of extra stress on your wheels. Stock or lightweight wheels may not have the strength needed to pull the load and they could potentially crack, warp, or completely fail. This is not only a problem for getting your load where it needs to go, but it could also be a major safety hazard. ​ Heavy loads also generate more heat in the Tacoma tires and brakes, which will require better ventilation in the wheels and your stock rims may not have enough airflow. With a set of wheels that’s specifically designed for hauling and towing heavy loads, you can rest easy knowing that you and your truck will be safe.

How to Choose the Right Wheels for Towing and Hauling

If you’re planning on doing any kind of towing or hauling with your Tacoma, you need to be sure that you have a set of wheels that can handle it. There are all kinds of qualities that you should be looking for in Tacoma wheels for towing and hauling and knowing what to keep an eye out for will help you make the best possible decision for your needs.

Size and Load Rating

The most important thing to look for in wheels for towing and hauling is their load rating. Every wheel has a maximum amount of weight that it can support. You should take that number and multiply it by four. Once you do that, it should exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of your truck as well as the weight of any cargo or trailer tongue load. If it does, those wheels will be sufficient for your towing and hauling needs. The size of the wheels is also important. In general, sticking to a wheel size that’s as close to factory specifications is your best bet. This will balance load capacity and handling and ensure a smooth ride.

Materials

Wheel materials directly affect the strength, weight, and heat dissipation of a particular set. Steel wheels are known for their durability and they’ll be less likely to crack or warp under stress. However, they’re also very heavy and that can reduce the handling response. Aluminum alloy wheels are much lighter and they offer better heat dissipation. Modern alloy is also much stronger than it once was, making it a good choice as long as the wheels are properly rated for the load you want to haul.

Tire Matching

While Tacoma wheels are important, tires contribute just as much to the capability of your pickup. Tires that have the right load index for your towing needs will ensure that you’re making the most of your wheels. Larger tires can improve ground clearance and traction but keeping the diameter as close to stock as possible will help with the truck’s towing and hauling capabilities. With the right tires, you can be sure that you’re not leaving any towing strength on the table.

Wheel Offset

Wheel offset is a factor that determines where the wheels sit inside your truck’s wheel wells. This detail plays a major role in the handling and load distribution on your truck and it needs to be considered when choosing a new set for your Tacoma. Offset is the distance between the mounting surface and the centerline. If it’s too far forward or backward, you can put strain on the bearings or steering components. When you want to make the most of your truck’s towing and hauling capabilities, you should keep your offset as close to stock as possible and choose wheels that will work with that setup. ​ When you need to haul or tow serious loads with your truck, ExtremeTerrain has you covered. With all kinds of options to choose from and fast delivery, you can meet all your work or recreation needs without any issues on the road.