Changing rear tires or not...

Cool deal, post some pictures when you get them installed. It'll probably make it look like you've got a whole new truck. I'm looking forward to my stock tires wearing down enough so my inner cheapness will give way and let me upgrade to new wheels and tires as well.

I actually happened upon a really good IPA when I was in Natchitoches for some meetings last year. Not something I expected to find in Louisiana, but a nice surprise. Kind of a cool little town actually.

Ok so made my choice today. I ordered 4 XD SeriesWheels XD-797-Spy 18x8.5. I matched them to Michelin LTX A/T 2 LT275/70R18's. These have a 125 weight index and according to the salesperson at Discounted Wheel Warehouse the .5 inch extra width helps with the weight also. They will be delivered mounted and balanced with pressure sensors installed so all I have to do is bolt them on. New lugs are included so I'll see how they perform and let you know how they work out. I like Cooper tires as well so if these michelins don't turn out I'll look into some Coopers.

BTW Abita Springs is just north of Lake Pontchartrain right above New Orleans. Great beer!!

Dave

Dave,

As far as I know, there is only one 18" that is available on the 2500 and 3500, not two seperate rims... The bad thing as you have found is the 20" options, which is only available on the 2500, not the 3500. I don't recall exactly, but I think the factory 18" rims are 8" wide. I have also considered this rim change for a better tire choice.

Not sure where Abita Springs is, but depending on the type of tire you need I also had great results with the Cooper A/T3 on our '10-1500 CCSB. True "mudding" was the only thing the tires didn't see. The performance was awesome in all other conditions: dry, wet, deep snow, etc. And the snow conditions were quite a trips to Northern Michigan and the Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada area to go snowmobiling. Main reason I went with the he A/T3's over the BFG AT is the A/T3's were cheaper by $300, or almost $400 (it's been a few years since I had bought them!), and the Cooper's have a mileage warranty, even on the LT's!!!

This Fall I plan on replacing the stock GY 20" tires also, have not been real impressed with them either!

Good luck deciding!

I really appreciate all the responses and info. The tires I have now are rated at 3197 each and my rear axel weight when I brought it to the Cat scales is about 6450. I feel I'm right at the max limit of these tires and I just don't like being right at the edge like that. The rear axel rating is 6400 if I remember correctly as well. I just don't feel comfortable riding that line for hundreds of miles in the summer with 100 deg weather. I think I'm going to go with new 18" rims rated at 3600 lbs each at 8.5 wide and some Michelin 275/70r18's with a 125r load index. 125 is still a 10 ply tire but has 3638 lb rating. That would give me about 7200 rating and a comfort zone. I installed air bags and at 17 lbs i'm dead level. I agree I'm not worried about this truck handling the weight and the limit is really stock tires and rims. Same axel as the 3500 just one more spring and heavier rims and tires. The really great thing about having the dually in my opinion is if you have a problem with a tire you still have three left to get someplace. Like having twin engines on an offshore boat. One 300hp outboard will push faster than two 200's but if one 200 goes out you still have a backup. I welcome more input for sure and I'm sure others have the same thoughts/questions as well.

Dave

The stock 18" tires on my Ram are rated at 3640 each. 275/70R18. They're too highway biased (Transforce HT) and I'll swap them out when they wear down some for a more aggressive tread. But E rated tires in that size all seem to be rated at 3640 lbs each. Throw me in the camp that prefers 18" to 20".

Your weight is fine, especially if you beef up the rubber a bit.

I'm going out on a limb here, but if only over his weight by 50lbs he isn't close to the max load of the tire. What do you not like about them?

AbitaDave wrote:
OK, I have a 2015 Silverado 2500 HD diesel towing a 39' Jayco 5th wheel which we just purchased. Went to the cat scales today and I'm just over my pin weight loaded ....I'm also not impressed with the tires that came stock on my truck for towing. I have Goodyear Wranglers 265/60R20's load rated E. Any recommendations on a better tire ....

Dave,
The last several sets of tires I've had on my trucks have been Firestone Transforce AT. I've gotten about 50,000 miles out of each set with even wear and excellent durability.

If you're open to new rims, you could look for an OEM set off a GM 3500HD SRW. They will bolt right on your truck but allow for a heavier rating. I'm forget exact specifics but I think the 2500HD got a 7" rim and the 3500HD was 7.5"...regardless of my foggy memory, the 3500HD has a wider rim that accepts a wider tread tire with higher weight capacity. If you put the wider, higher rated tires on the narrower wheels you lose capacity because of excess sidewall stress so it really takes the 3500 wheels to make it happen.

I looked into this topic several years ago for my '04 Chevy 2500HD. The AAM axle GM puts in these trucks is rated for 10,000lbs. In fact, I think GM uses the same 11.5" axle in both the 2500HD and the 3500HD. The real limitation is the wheels and suspension that's bolted to it. I don't think I'd sweat 50lbs over published weights, but getting higher capacity tires will give you more fudge factor.

Kj

So, you're sitting with around 6500lbs on the rear axle, correct?
That's not bad at all, nothing the truck wasn't designed to do.
Couple easy/cheap.....I mean economical, ahem, options if you're not comfortable with those tires.
Yes, 18's have better tire size/load availability options. If you're anywhere near cities, there are always a grip of takeoff truck wheels for sale, a lot of them brand new with tires. Every bro that buys a diesel pickup takes it down and spends 3 grand on fancy wheels and tires then re coups a third of it by selling the OE stuff. For $1000 or less, you can have your choice of OE wheels and tires on Craigslist.
Same for tires only. Recently, all the Dodge guys are dumping 125 load rated 285-60-20 tires. Little bigger than what you have on right now, but they will fit and have a better load rating.
In 20s, 285-60-20 is about the smallest tire that has a better than 121/122 load rating I think. But again, $5-600 will get you a new set of Firestoners, or you may land on even better tires.

Of just go to a tire shop n tell them you want 285s but they need to mount one up front to see if it rubs, think itll be fine.
Then it's your choice. Cooper AT3s are a tough smooth riding, good traction, or any other name brand AT.

I run year round Michelin LTX M/S 275/55R20 on my Ford F-150, towing our Arctic Fox 25R with great mileage and ride. Lots of snow and ice with great performance here in Alaska.

I love my Bridgestones, the Michelins felt squishy to me. Like marshmallows even at max inflation.