Squared or Staggered?

[RebelMan]

I spent months researching the pros and cons on this topic. Some days I would lean one way and on other days the other way. It was very frustrating because I saw benefits with both and when you are about to make a big financial commitment you want to make sure there are no regrets afterwards.

Although NightWing came with a staggered setup, I finally decided to convert it to squared. Why?

My biggest fear of going with wider meats up front was potential tramlining. I absolutely hate tramlining in a streetable vehicle and from what I gathered wider front tires are more prone to tramlining. However, when I dug deeper and consulted with the pros and even from my own experiences, that is just not the case.

I have no immediate plans to drag or track the car but I do enjoy spirited driving and carving back roads. So having a setup that plays nicer with understeer was also a big driving point in my decision.

Finally, looks. The look and the stance is just as important as the ride and the handling and frankly both setups look great. I don't see a clear winner here. What I have determined to be important is how meaty they are. As long as you have plenty of that then it's pretty much a draw in the appearance department methinks.

So, which way did you go, squared, staggered or are you still undecided?

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[erocker]

4 x 19x10" Wheels and 285/35 19's. I don't notice any tramlining at all surprisingly. It's also nice to be able to rotate my tires.

 

[Upacurb]

I have staggered but with 305s up front and 315s in the bsckand a sticky tire and my car tram lines like a &()&;;

on my S550 I did staggered with a 285 up front and no tram lining at all…

I like the look of both but prefer the look of a staggered set up

 

[MCS]

On my S550 I had 275 and 305 staggered and had no tramlining.

My DH isn't here yet but I'll be going 285 and 315 for street and 305/315 for HPDE days.

 

[LoneRanger57]

My last car, 2019 Rabbit Edition GTI was squared like my current Ford Ranger but I have never owned a rear wheel drive sports car that was, all have been staggered including the GT (when it arrives)

 

[RLE55]

On my S550 I had 275 and 305 staggered and had no tramlining.

My DH isn't here yet but I'll be going 285 and 315 for street and 305/315 for HPDE days.

Consider 315 squared for HPDE...better grip all around and more beneficial when rotating.

 

[MCS]

Consider 315 squared for HPDE...better grip all around and more beneficial when rotating.

My stock HP rims with Trofeos will be the HPDE stuff. When those burn up (like like 25ish laps of my local track) then I'll keep the above in mind.

 

[Adamrx11]

Does a staggered set up contribute to tramlining or just the tire width? My 24 PP GT has the stock Pirelli P zero run flats that came with the PP 255 F 285 R and I definitely notice tramlining (didn't know there was a word for it until this post). What do I do to eliminate or lessen it then?? It is getting cold so I need to get some all season or winter tires anyway since these are summer only - dropped to 35 yesterday morning and definitely see why

 

[dusman59]

I didn't think the PP came with runflats. At least mine didn't as I got a screw at 320 miles and the tire was going flat.

 

[RebelMan]

Does a staggered set up contribute to tramlining or just the tire width? ... What do I do to eliminate or lessen it then??

On my '09 Bullitt I had 235/50 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S's and it tramlined like a mother. Switched to 235/50 Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4's and tramlining is gone. On the other hand, the 275/55 Michelin Defender 2 on my '19 F-150 never tramlined. Interestingly enough, neither do the 275/40 Pirelli P Zero's on my '24 Dark Horse.

Popular opinion will tell you that tire width effects tramlining... it doesn't. What does have an effect is tread pattern, construction and compound. When I consulted tire manufactures and installers on this matter, the consensus was overwhelming.

I have heard that run flat tires (because of the reasons I site above) are prone to tramline. You're only saving grace would be to change your tires.

 

[Mastermind46]

I want a square setup for daily driving but was considering staggered for autocross/HDPE. I have only ever had a square setup until this car. I am still in the research phase.

 

[highvoltage]

I had a square setup on my 16 GT PP. i had the stock staggered setup for winter wheels. I had 275/40/19 Indy firehawk tires and 19x10 wheels. That’s the plan again or maybe a tad wider tire.

 

[RebelMan]

I went with 19x10 wheels too. I want to go with 285/40 tires but the markup from the 275/40's is huge.

 

[krisk]

I bought Velgen wheels in the 19x10, 19x11 staggered setup. I love the wheels and they look great. However now that I’m taking my car to the track some I’m considering buying an extra set of 19x11 to run a square setup. I’m still not 100% sure as I can currently rotate my tires left to right to even out the wear side to side, but I’ll almost certainly have to replace the fronts and rears at different times. I would like to be able to rotate all four tires, but just don’t know if I want to go to the work and cost of dealing with extended studs, spacers, open lug nuts plus buying two more wheels.

If just daily driving, I’d absolutely stick with staggered.

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