bkenobi wrote:
I have a 2016 Ram 3500 LB SRW CTD that is stock (suspension, tires, etc). The truck carries my Northern Lite truck camper (around 4000 lb total payload) around half the time. With the stock setup, the truck is slightly nose up such that I sometimes get flashed at night (it's not that bad, but could be better if I was picky).
I hate the stock Firestone tires (boring, narrow) but they performed ok on road and seemed fine on snowy roads. That said, I want something a bit more aggressive looking and wider in an AT for my next set. I have been told by tire shops that I can fit 34x12 on stock rims without issue. If I want wider (35x12.5), it would require rims and should add front leveling. If I do that, I'd need air bags too.
Anyone with a similar setup want to recommend a setup? If leveling and air make a huge improvement to the ride quality, I'd rather get it done now to open tire options. I don't think going to 35's over 34's would make as much difference as the width.
Thoughts?
I don't think a leveling kit and air in back will make for a more stable ride and I've not leveled the Dodge solely because it hauls a big TC.
The object of airbags (with a top heavy load like a camper) is not to restore unloaded ride height. If you do, the bags are holding all the weight and it's like driving with beach balls for suspension. You want some squat to get some load in the spring pack and get the overloads engaged.
If you do, say a 2" level on the front, you'll be much more nose high when your rear ride height is set right. I suppose that doesn't hurt anything theoretically though if you like the Cali lean look!
Wide tires on your OE negative offset rims won't increase track width appreciably and if anything, 12 wide and taller tires on 8 wide rims will be more prone to sidewall flex and contribute more to body roll than lower profile tires that are the right width for the rims.
Now, if you ran some 20x10 rims at a slightly negative to 0 offset with basically 35-12.50 tires, the sidewall height would be about the same as 18s with stock size tires, the additional positive offset wouldn't be crazy with respect to stress on the axles (IMO) and you'd gain a total of 4-5" of track width compared to stock.
You don't mention if your wheels are stock now or if they're 18s or 20s. If they're 17s get rid of them, they're worthless for hauling a camper now that you can't buy good heavy 17" LT tires anymore.
Either way, you can fit a 295-70-18 or 295-60-20 on stock wheels without rubbing and get into that 34x11.5" range without any other modifications or being way over width for the rims. 295-65-20 on stock rims, I've seen rub a little at full lock on newer Rams.
