Tire/Wheel Size Pros&Cons for offroading?

[duffdog]

Snow is better done with a skinny tire and good sipped thread. Once the sierra cement gets too deep you won't be able to go forward regardless.

Here is whole description of why to chose a narrow tire for most things (except deep sand and mud)
Expeditions West: Tire Selection for Expedition Travel
(ever notice how expedition vehicles have narrow tires?)

Most of the trips to and from destinations will be on highways so modify it to suit both for trails and on-road handling. Go on trips now and find out where the needs are (you might find you want more ground clearance). Then start conservative as you drive this daily too (2-3" lift, 32"-33" tire height should be sufficient for overland).

I disagree with all of that. Being a person who has lived where there is "Sierra Cement", I can tell you that skinny tires only help on the road in the snow when it is being plowed. The SECOND that a rig with skinny tires goes off road in the snow, it is guaranteed stuck. I go snow wheeling all of the time and there are 2 groups of wheelers every time I go, you guessed it: Skinny tire guys (mostly with range rovers) and wide tire guys, The wide tire crew can venture off of the road and float on TOP of the snow with the wide tires deflated to 8 psi and drive up the side of the mountain while the range rover crew is having a ton of fun with their winches trying to drag the trucks through the snow like high-dollar submarines.

In regards to the OP, most wheelers use 0 offset for their wheels to get the most clearance. 17x9 with 0 offset nets the best possible turning radius without rubbing and no spacers required.

 

[Roadtripr]

The link did list the limitations of the skinny tires (once past clearance yes you get in more trouble cause you need to float). I have seen Tacoma on skinnys do well. A range rover weighs 2000 lbs more than a 4runner. not quite apples to apples.
The OP asked for an allround tire choice and both wide and skinny have their advantages. I never used to see people recommending skinny tires much, but it has become more the norm.

Technoguy - just going up one size in diameter to 31.6" gave some minor rubbing (i will have to move the fender well) and that was w 2.5" lift in front.

 

[CXS]

I run 285/70/17's and never had any issue with the body mount. I do rub on the sway bar now that I put it back on for hauling my travel trailer. I also rub when wheeling and stuff a tire bad enough to rip out on wheelwell liner. I think I'll go smaller on my next tires.