Need new tires, one size larger or smaller?

[Millnoff]

My truck cane with 285/60r20's stock. I want to get winter tires for it, our roads suck up here.

I can get either:
275/65/20 -3/4" taller
265/60/20 -1"smaller

I do a fair amount of towing sleds and wish I had lower gears half the time. Just wondering if that smaller tire will look funny? Or if I'll notice the 3-4% in "gear reduction"

Thanks!

 

[Rick Ram-jet]

Since these will be winter tires, and, based on you wish for lower gearing, go with the 265`s, not only will they give you slightly lower gearing, they will also weigh less....

Probably a good idea to program for the smaller tire size and make sure you get proper E rated tires....

 

[retired]

yes they will look funny.

 

[Millnoff]

yes they will look funny.

Do you have first hand experience or photos? I have a programmer so changing tire size will be no big deal that way

 

[retired]

Do you have first hand experience or photos? I have a programmer so changing tire size will be no big deal that way

it is Just my opinion but I think stock size tires look too small on the Ram 4x4 2500/3500's.

 

[tron67j]

You would be at 3% gear ratio equivalent. You should buy what you want, but that is not much of change and even a 4 sled box trailer, not sure you will notice a difference. One thing to consider, if you out 30k miles on those winters it will equate to about a half million more revolutions of your engine. Have fun with the sleds! Miss mine, not much snow here at all.

 

[DirtyWipers]

I doubt you will notice much difference in looks or performance unless you are really seeking out the difference. JMO.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

From my experience, driving for 43 yrs in North Jersey snow, a skinny tire is better. Wider tires tend to climb up on top of ths snow and just spin.
The 265 will also slightly help lowering your ratio.

Looks-wise, you need to decide what's more important, getting there or looking good while you're stuck.

Had a '72 Camaro with 12" wide N50/15's on it. Wheel wells flared 5". Come Winter, the old F78-14 studded snow tires went on. They were about 4 or 5 inches wide. Looked stupid as hell but I never got stuck.

You got the ball.

 

[GsRAM]

From my experience, driving for 43 yrs in North Jersey snow, a skinny tire is better. Wider tires tend to climb up on top of ths snow and just spin.
The 265 will also slightly help lowering your ratio.

Looks-wise, you need to decide what's more important, getting there or looking good while you're stuck.

Had a '72 Camaro with 12" wide N50/15's on it. Wheel wells flared 5". Come Winter, the old F78-14 studded snow tires went on. They were about 4 or 5 inches wide. Looked stupid as hell but I never got stuck.

You got the ball.

Spot on. 100% correct RR

 

[18CrewDually]

yes they will look funny.

Agreed. They're all going to laugh at you.

 

[retired]

go with some Toyo at3's in the taller ones. they will do extremely well in the winter pulling your sleds and the 275/65 is only 3/10ths of an inch wider than the 265/60 and you won't notice that.
https://www.toyotires.com/product/open-country-at3