Need new tires. Questions about upgrading..!

DatacomGuy wrote:
Hmm, not sure i follow. I have no problems finding tires whatsoever. I'm just picky..

The 1500 Ram comes with 20x8 in the non-chrome, and 20x9 in the chrome. You can fit a TON of tires on the truck without any suspension upgrades.

How many LT in stock size??? This is what I found...

Hmm, not sure i follow. I have no problems finding tires whatsoever. I'm just picky..

The 1500 Ram comes with 20x8 in the non-chrome, and 20x9 in the chrome. You can fit a TON of tires on the truck without any suspension upgrades.

I have been researching Ram Trucks (No longer Dodge) and found the 20" tire that comes on the truck is a weird size and only found one decent LT tire for towing. Those are Nitto Dura Grapplers. Maybe others may make an LT eventually. That is why I want to get the Outdoorsman version with the 17" LT tires.

Thank you! Lastly, i know very little about load ratings. What do i need to look for, in towing a 5300# (dry) TT?

DatacomGuy wrote:
In any one person's opinion - noticeable difference between 3.55 and 3.497?

It's a 1.5% reduction, doubtful you will even notice it. Depending on how close you are on weights, you may notice a difference jumping 2 sizes up. Also note that different brands/models of tires have slightly different diameters, so be sure to check the brand/size/model of what you are buying with the OEM brand/size/model for an accurate assessment of towing impact.

Great reply, thank you! I'm most worried about towing in the mountains..

In any one person's opinion - noticeable difference between 3.55 and 3.497?

Heavier unsprung weight is harder on shocks etc. You may want to go to a stiffer shock with a heavier tire.

Tire diameter matters more for towing power. A larger diameter tire effectively reduces (numerically) your rear axle ratio.

For example, Good year lists the diameter of the 275-60-20 tire at 33". Sice that is stock that becomes the baseline. The diameter of the 285 tire is listed as 33.5".

The formula is old diameter / new diameter x axle ratio. So 33/33.5= .985 x 3.55 = 3.497 effective axle ratio. Said differently, going to 285 tires would be like having a 3.49 axle with your stock tires.

Look at 325 tires and they have a diameter of 35.4. In that case 33/35.4=.932 x 3.55 = 3.30 effective axle ratio.

You can go the other way on the formula too...take a minute and read this tech page from Tire Rack.

My 4.10 axle is now an effective 3.94 after going from 245 to 265 tires. I lost a little power but was OK for me since I have towing capacity to spare.

I love the Michelin LTX MS2s. I have load range E on my F250. Ride - excellent, tire wear - excellent, road noise - none. We had a lot of deep snow in Indiana this winter and I was pulling people out of ditches without a problem. I wouldn't do any serious off-roading with them but last fall when deer hunting I parked in a gravel area along the side of the road. When I returned to the truck a few hours later the truck had sunk 3" into the soft ground under the fresh gravel. With sufficient wheel speed to throw the mud out of the tread and driver ability I was able to get out. For your size rim a load range D may the be the max you can get.