Help With Off Road Wheel and Tire Setup

[Saturnas]

Hello, I'm hoping someone can help me in getting a nice off road wheel and tire setup for a 2006 AWD V6 Vue.

There is actually already a thread on the forum here that has exactly what I'm looking for, but it's basically a dead thread. For reference please see forum thread: http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=161594 I'm basically trying to do exactly what strikers is doing there: I want 15 inch wheels with 235/75 R15 tires.

The trouble is that according to strikers, it is necessary to have spacers, as well as remove the wheel well cover from the car to have that setup. I was hoping to use wheels like these: https://www.amazon.com/TACTIK-Circle.../dp/B089N38KYC




So my questions are these:
1) Can someone confirm the necessity of spacers?
2) Can anyone recommend a very similar set of wheels that doesn't require spacers?
3) Can someone confirm it isn't a horrible idea to remove the wheel well cover? I have no idea what's immediately behind the cover that it is protecting.
4) How safe are spacers to use? I've got people telling me they are pretty hard on the car. I'm guessing the transmission?