Stock 1500 and tires for Big Bend?

[Fido92]

Hi All. New member here. I currently drive a 4Runner but have started shopping for a 4x4 truck. I'm digging the Ram 1500 and I've been lurking here to learn more about it before I pull the trigger.

After I get the truck, I want to take it out to Big Bend and drive on the "primitive dirt roads". Is the stock Ram 1500 Limited with original 22" wheels/tires sufficient for Big Bend? I don't plan to do any rock crawling, but I also don't want a flat when I'm miles from civilization. I'm trying to avoid spending money on new shoes right after I buy an expensive new truck. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[olyelr]

I would not venture too far off road with the stock rubber on the 22’s. They are basically street tires.

These would be much more fitting...

 

[LeesEvoX]

yeah... If you have thee goodyear SRA tires. Dont take them off road.

if you sneeze to hard at them they could puncture.

I did this in my old truck in Utah. 20 miles into a national forest, no one around. POP.... pssshhhhhhh...

Left me dead in the water.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure what the stock tires are on the 22" wheels (maybe Goodyear Eagle Touring?) but like others have said, I wouldn't go too far off road on stock rubber. Most OEM tires now a days are designed to maximize MPG's on the highway so they are pretty light duty. I've never been to Big Bend, but according to the web sleuthing I did, It looks like that area is pretty remote and rugged, they also recommend a "high clearance" vehicle out there. A stock Ram is probably not what one would call high clearance. I'd be pretty hard pressed to take my stock "Limited" $60k+ truck out into that area without some friends in their Jeeps, some tow straps, a few jacks, a few spare tires, no worries about scratches/dents and lots of luck. You might be better off going with a Rebel or a Power Wagon.

As far as picking out a truck though, I think you are making the right choice with a RAM. I really like mine and think you get more bang for your buck with them. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[mikeru]

I agree with JohnnyMac. If you really don't want to buy tires right now you might consider opting for the off-road group. You'll at least get A/T tires with that package, and 20 inch wheels. I wouldn't have taken our Limited off road until we upgraded to 10 ply tires and 20 inch aftermarket wheels. The air suspension on the Limited also has two off-road settings for more ground clearance. And I also removed the front air dam for a better approach angle. Or you could opt for a Rebel. Or the TRX for the ultimate off-road 1500 experience.

 

[BWL]

The truck should be fine, but the tires aren't really up to the task unless you go extra slow. Switch to a decent lt all terrain or hunt around craigslist for a set of 18s or 20s with decent rubber for the off road trips and keep the shiny 22s for the city cruising.

 

[Fido92]

Thank you all for the input. I do not understand why they put shiny 22" rims on a 4x4.

 

[mikeru]

Thank you all for the input. I do not understand why they put shiny 22" rims on a 4x4.

4x4 can be used for conditions not related to off-road driving, such as winter conditions. I'm not a fan of them, but 22's work fine as long as you have tires that were made for the conditions. Although narrower tires are almost always better in winter conditions.