18"s or drop down to 17"s or weld it.

[chimpey3000]

After a recent incident with a Devonshire pothole I have a cracked alloy. Am running on some nice after market fox alloys 18" 7.5jj with 45et so have used 10mm spaces to bring et to 35 and avoid upper ball joint. I did however have to fettle the wishbone rim edge. Running on 225/40/18s gives about 20mm clearance to arches.
I love to look and have found steering and handling fine but am struggling to find a replacement alloy so do I get it welded which I would prefer not to do but has anyone ever had a catastrophic failure of a welded up alloy??
The other option is to drop down to 17"s and have a bit more rubber between it and the next pothole as there are plenty out there. My van is a camper so would also increase comfort for the Mrs and kids.
Anyone dropped down to 17s and hated it,?anyone had an alloy welded and lived to tell the tale.?
Have acres of space at rear arches so anyone ever just beefed up the rear rubber?
All ideas welcomed !!

T25 Devon top camper

Thanks one and all
Ash

[faggie]

what do you mean beefed up the rear rubber I am running 18s now and would never go back to 17s

[silverbullet]

I know a firm who do very good welding and they often have to cut out and re-weld cracked alloys that have been poorly repaired. Covering the crack isnt the same as completely fusing it.