What Wheel Offset Do I Need For My ATV?

ATVs are designed to take on a variety of territories, whether it's dirt roads, trails through the back woods, or wide open fields. The key to having an ATV that can withstand this unpredictability are the wheels. But which wheels are correct for you? One of the most important aspects to keep in mind is the wheel's offset.

Make sure you have the proper wheels
for your ATV, so you can fully enjoy it.

Understanding the Offset of an ATV Wheel
The offset of a wheel indicates how the wheel sits in relation to the ATV's suspension and body. Every ATV wheel has two numbers listed that describe the wheel's offset. The first number represents the amount of inches from the inside lip of the rim to the center of wheel where the hub and rim meet. The second number represents the amount of inches from the hub to the outside lip of the rim. When these two numbers are added together, the overall width of the rim can be determined, as well.
Example: 5+2 Offset

The 5 is equivalent to a measurement of 4 inches from the inside lip of the rim to the center of the wheel.
The 2 is equivalent to a measurement of 3 inches from the hub to the outside lip of the rim.

Straight Rear Axle
For straight rear axles, ATV riders will need to make sure that their wheel offset is correctly balanced. The front and rear axles need to be mirror images of their size, for example:

12 inch rims- the front wheels will need to be 5+2 or 4+3, and the rear wheels need to be 2+5 or 3+4. What size you choose will depend on the offsets Available For your specific bolt pattern.
14 inch rims- the front wheels will have to be 4+2, and the rear wheels will have to be 3+5.

ATV wheels come in a variety of styles,
including chrome and matte black.

Unlike the straight rear axles, the independent rear suspension doesn't necessarily need different offsets for each wheel. However, each size wheel does have a set of specific needs.

12 inch rims- the front and rear wheels all need the same offset. For 12 inch rims, you have the option of either 5+2 or 4+3 for all four. Remember, it all depends on which offsets are Available For the bolt pattern that you need.
14 inch rims- for this size, you will need two different offsets because 14 inch rims generally come in 2 different widths. For the front, you'll need 4+2. For the rear, you'll need 5+3.

Knowing the offset will go a long way towards you choosing the correct ATV wheel. If you have any other questions about ATV wheels or any other ATV product, contact us here at 4 Wheel Online.

By: Tim Snyder

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