Which size tires to go with for towing

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zoomzu

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I have a
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad cab short bed 4x4 8.0 V10 3.55 gears

I just picked this truck up, wanted a diesel but just didn't have the money. The specs on the V10 sounded pretty good with 450 ft lbs. of TQ.

So, I'm wondering what you all think what size tire to go with for towing. I know load ratings, and understand the basics of tires. I sold tires for 2 years, but that was over 20 years ago.

I bought the truck with bald 285/70/17's ~ 32.8" the factory tire is 245/75/16's ~30.5" . so I need replacements.

Is the size difference going to make that much of a difference in towing? I know I'll need to get the speedo programed if I change sizes, not to worried about that.

My old truck was a:
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Quad cab 5.9L V8 3.55 gears.

I had put on 295/75/16's~33.2" before I started towing with that rig. So
I don't have any idea how it would have done with the factory 245/75/16's. It did the job, but struggled.

I know the V10 has so much more power than the V8.

I'm a BFGoodrich T/A ALL Terrain guy, they have done me well. They aren't cheap by any means. so I don't want to get 285/70/17's start towing and think I really should have put on 245/70/17's.


Oh, the trailer is around 6,800lbs. I can make it a bit over 9,000lbs. but I never get it over 7,000lbs. And once in a while I put a motorcycle in the bed that's 450lbs.

The old truck, squatting a bit. Needed the load lift bags. That's not an issue anymore.:(



Since I had no choice, I needed a new truck... 2500 or 3500 was it.
This is it, have had it less than a month now.



All input is welcome. Thanks
 

14hemiexpress

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Truck looks great! Very clean. My suggestion is to go as close to factory as possible if towing is the main consern with the truck. I'm sure it will pull fine with either but the shorter tire will give you a positive advantage. If you go taller then your truck will work more to make a full rotation taking your 3.55 and makeing it feel more like 3.30 something. If you go shorter than factory it will make your 3.55 feel more like 3.73 if that makes sense. I would put as close to stock height but a little beefier tire, something like a 265/60r17 or 265/65r17 if they make such tire with a E load range.
 

Johnn123

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I would get an LT265/70/17 for your use, and make sure its a load range E tire. A 245/70/17 would work fine as well, but 265/70/17 will look a little better and wont make any difference performance wise. Either size will work great for towing with a 3.55 ratio. Its very important you get a load range E tire.
 

RangerWeaver

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I would get an LT265/70/17 for your use, and make sure its a load range E tire. A 245/70/17 would work fine as well, but 265/70/17 will look a little better and wont make any difference performance wise. Either size will work great for towing with a 3.55 ratio. Its very important you get a load range E tire.

If I needed new tires right now that's what I would get. Also I'm already riding on them
 

14hemiexpress

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I would get an LT265/70/17 for your use, and make sure its a load range E tire. A 245/70/17 would work fine as well, but 265/70/17 will look a little better and wont make any difference performance wise. Either size will work great for towing with a 3.55 ratio. Its very important you get a load range E tire.

It will make a performance difference. A taller tire will require a lower axle to keep the same power. If the stock tire is 30 in tall and you put a 265 75 17 on it witch is 32 in tire you will be required to run a 3.8 gear ratio to retain the same perfomance.
 

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Johnn123

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It will make a performance difference. A taller tire will require a lower axle to keep the same power. If the stock tire is 30 in tall and you put a 265 75 17 on it witch is 32 in tire you will be required to run a 3.8 hear ratio to retain the same perfomance.

With a V10 the difference would be so negligible what difference would it make? It will give roughly the same performance, maybe a bit different but negligible enough it wont matter at all... IMO.
 

14hemiexpress

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On flat ground you probably won't feel the difference hit some 4-5% grades and he'll be wishing he had the shorter tires or more axle that's all I am saying. Its up to OP to make the choice but he wanted to know for towing and lower axle ratio is better for towing.
 

Johnn123

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On flat ground you probably won't feel the difference hit some 4-5% grades and he'll be wishing he had the shorter tires or more axle that's all I am saying. Its up to OP to make the choice but he wanted to know for towing and lower axle ratio is better for towing.

Thats fair I can dig that.
 

Merc225hp

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I would run the 265/75r17 tires the V10 will not even notice it even going up a grade. Now if this a dedicated towing rig run in the mountains then 4.10 gears are in order.

I have towed with a few gear ratios and tire sizes on my truck only with the 5.9 mind you. With grades in the mountains approx same weight only boats.

Best was 3.92 with the 285/75r16's, remember no OD when towing.
 

leadrofthepak

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Keep in mind when it comes to towing, tires, and gear ratios, horsepower is fine but it is the transmission that takes the most abuse. Stock gears and larger tires = more strain on every shift the tranny makes. Food for thought.
 
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zoomzu

zoomzu

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Thanks for the input. I know load E is the only option. The only time I tow is for camping. I haven't gone over the mountain passes with the old truck be cause of the tall tires. And it was horrible on hills. I do want to go east of the mountains camping some time. Hopefully this April. There's a adventure motorcycle rally there.
 

14hemiexpress

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The v-10 is a beast you'll make it up and through the mountains with either tire but with the shorter it's will be easier on it. If your not towing up grade but maybe once a year pick witch ever you like, my suggestion was based off the fact I don't know we're you tow to.
 

Merc225hp

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Did some number crunching.

3.55 ratio, v10 310hp @ 4100rpm, 450 ftbls tq @ 2400 rpm, tranny 47re.

rpm@60 mph O/D off, O/D on

245/75r16.......2350.....1621
265/75r16.......2262.....1561
265/70r17.......2263.....1563
265/75r17.......2193.....1513

I would run the 265/75r16 or 265/70r17 after seeing this info.
 
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zoomzu

zoomzu

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Did some number crunching.

3.55 ratio, v10 310hp @ 4100rpm, 450 ftbls tq @ 2400 rpm, tranny 47re.

rpm@60 mph O/D off, O/D on

245/75r16.......2350.....1621
265/75r16.......2262.....1561
265/70r17.......2263.....1563
265/75r17.......2193.....1513

I would run the 265/75r16 or 265/70r17 after seeing this info.

That's some solid info I can understand. I found this site While I was searching for a new truck.
2001 Dodge Ram Engine Information
So I knew engine specs, and according to the graph. The V10 has great torque between 2000 and 3000 rpm. I had no idea what the revs were while driving. Let alone with the different tire sizes. Good technical info. :favorites13:
Sounds like the 265/70R17's are a good fit.
Thanks, :happy107:
 
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zoomzu

zoomzu

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8.0 v10
Did some number crunching.

3.55 ratio, v10 310hp @ 4100rpm, 450 ftbls tq @ 2400 rpm, tranny 47re.

rpm@60 mph O/D off, O/D on

245/75r16.......2350.....1621
265/75r16.......2262.....1561
265/70r17.......2263.....1563
265/75r17.......2193.....1513

I would run the 265/75r16 or 265/70r17 after seeing this info.

I'm on my way to work this morning and decided to pay attention to my RPM's. While at 60MPH O/D on it's about 1600 with O/D off just about 2400. With what you came up with I'm right at stock tire size rev's. That got me thinking... did a pervious owner get the gears done? Nope, jacked the truck up when I got home. 1 rev tire 3.5 rev's driveline.
Now I'm back at square one. What tires size? What would be nice is.... if I could put on one size tow my trailer, then put on another size and tow. See if there's a big enough difference between the two.
The tires on the truck are Nitto Terra Grappler . I went to their site it's 32.76in. I measured them as they are on the truck right at 31.25in. that's a 1.5 in. diff. Is there that much side wall squish and tread wear? I checked my BFG's there only .75in. off from new specs with significant wear as well.
This is kinda bugging me. I have a couple of months before I get them. So I'm trying to get this worked out.
 
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