2020 3500 dually, what can I do with the wheels and lift while still towing?

[Thomasj1107]

First time owning a dually, wife and I will be living full time traveling cross country in a 5th wheel and travel nursing. Want to upgrade the stock wheels and maybe a little lift to make the truck a little more aesthetically pleasing.... what kind/how much of a lift would you recommend and what size wheels/tires can we change to without compromising the ability to tow the 5th wheel smoothly?

 

[crash68]

Both the amount of lift and wheel size change will depend on the trailer. For the lift you'll need to see how much you can raise the pin and clearance height wise around the bed, keep in mind the flexing while traversing grades, driveways, etc.
How heavy is the trailer? what engine? and what axle gearing? will all need to be factored in for wheel changes.

 

[Thomasj1107]

It’s a 6.7 diesel, 4.10 ratio, and I’ll be pulling a 16,500lb 5th wheel. The don’t want anything crazy, I just want to know what I can do within reason to make it look better without dramatically effecting my ability to tow/smooth ride.

 

[BigBootyJudy]

We are looking at the same truck with a bigger/heavier 5th wheel. I’m going to go with some 20” and 275/65 R20 to fill up the wells. I’m going to leave the height alone as bed clearance is important. My rear is the 3.73 and all else same.

 

[Thomasj1107]

We are looking at the same truck with a bigger/heavier 5th wheel. I’m going to go with some 20” and 275/65 R20 to fill up the wells. I’m going to leave the height alone as bed clearance is important. My rear is the 3.73 and all else same.

So it’s not an issue switching to a 20” wheel? Are you going to have to use spacers or anything in the rear?

The stock wheels are 17...so it will be fine with 18 or 20? Any reason to go with one over the other?

 

[BigBootyJudy]

So it’s not an issue switching to a 20” wheel? Are you going to have to use spacers or anything in the rear?

The stock wheels are 17...so it will be fine with 18 or 20? Any reason to go with one over the other?

20’s come stock on srw 3500’s so I was told it would work. The only thing I’m looking into is change in final drive ratio. I was good to go but might have second thoughts with the change in gearing. The effective gear ratio would drop from 3.73 to 3.50. While I’m comfortable that 1075 lb ft of tq will pull fine my 21000 lb trailer with the 3.73 going down to a 3.50 might be a lil low.