Talk me into (or out of) 37's

[Adventurebound]

Hey PW friends. I know this has been discussed a million times but I need tire help. I recently purchased a 2020 and need new tires...already...at 800 miles. Ram PowerWagons are new to me so need advice on the best tires for these trucks....

This is what I have so far:
Stock PW suspension
AEV Salta Wheels
Airbags w cradles in rear
Four Wheel Hawk camper in bed - about 1,300#

What I use the truck for:
Not really a daily driver. Used mainly for exploration. Will spend just as much time on dirt as payment. I live and mostly use the truck in the deserts of Southern Nevada. FWC is on the truck full time. Truck is set up for more "overlanding" than "rock crawling". With that said I still run many challging trails. Last truck set up I had ran Hell's Revenge with the camper on.

So this brings me to the question....Ive been going back and forth over 35s or 37s? I ran a couple sets of KO2's in my last truck and had zero issues other than major chunking over about a 80k mile duration. These apparently run smaller so leaning in that direction for 37's?

Do I really need 37's or will I be just as happy with 35's? Those that went 37's...would you go back to 35's? Do I even "need" 37's for what I will be using the truck for? I know 37's look cool and fill the wheel well and all but honestly I'm looking more for "go than show".

 

[Gremlin4x]

I am running KM3s in 37x12.5r17 on my 2018 Wagon and so far I love them. Wheels are CJC edition Raceline’s with +20 offset. Currently stock gearing but I don’t tow and I drive like an old man so it doesn’t bother me. Suspension currently stock (boxes of Thuren goodies awaiting my return home from deployment) and only required minor trimming. Honestly, with where I’m at in Alaska and the type of off-roading I do, 35s where probably fine but I really love the way 37s look!

 

[Breaker Alex]

Biggest con in my opinion is that a 37" doesn't fit in the spare location.

There may be some trimming to do ( with offset wheels )
or minor rubbing to endure at full turn ( stock wheels ).

Let's be honest, there must be some power lost too.

That being said, I will never go back to 35s.

That Ram is my daily driver and work truck.
It pulls a 5000 lbs trailer everyday and the power feels flawless.

The extra inch of clearance helped me more then one time lol!
And I like the extra rubber for softer riding as I travel a lot of dirt roads.

If you go 35s, you know they'll be replaced too soon with 37s

 

[BigLazer4u]

I have daily driver with 35’s. Depends on your commute really. If I didn’t daily drive such a long commute I would of put 37s. It’s all about personal preference, you will hear many different sides as to why or why not. I feel like 35’s are perfect all around tire for me. Gas Milage and off-road capabilities and no rubbing were my key points when looking to buy tires.

 

[Travelin Ram]

Your last sentence describes my reasoning for only going up one size. Just my opinion that was the sweet spot between capabilities on and off road, reliability, and unintended consequences.

I’m not averse to big rubber, I think 37’s or even 40’s look better. And I’ve run tires as large as 37 on Jeeps and 44 on trucks.

Over time I have trended towards fewer modifications, especially on factory purpose built vehicles like the PW. First you upgrade one part, then the balance of reliable components the OEM spent all those hours testing is disturbed, and the chain reaction of replacing more and more bits is underway. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

When I lived in one location constantly, time in the shop was part of the fun. However now living a more mobile lifestyle I prefer to spend most of my time and money on the trails and less up on the garage lift.

 

[Scndthief]

I had 35’s I upgraded from the stock setup almost immediately. I also no longer have 35’s. After some time in the seat and some off road shenanigans I determined that I wanted a bit more clearance. There was a deal on AEV Saltas and I have never looked back.
The 35’s were 35x11.5x20 nitto grapplers (last photo) and the 37’s are 37x12.5x17 falken wild peak at3.
Both great tires but for what I do around here the 37 makes more sense.




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[donivan]

You likely don't need 37s since this truck is so capable from the factory but after installing 37s I wouldn't go back to something smaller. These are big trucks and 37s just look right to me. Other than stance I like the increase in ground clearance since the pumpkins are so large and hang low. I run 37x13.5 KM3's and have no regrets. They are great on road and even better off-road. Looks like you have the 8 speed so re-gear would be less of a requirement. The big negative for me is no full size spare in the stock location but I plan on running a full size spare once I get a bed cover.

 

[Maligator]

I did 35s initially and for a bit i was content but it didn't last long. Did a thuren level and 37s within 6 months. Id say just go 37 right off the bat but thats just my 2 cents

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[Overlander]

@donivan are you running that with a lift?

 

[SeppW]

As others pointed out elsewhere, 37s may require trimming plastic and pinch weld. Others also say 37s do fine with the 4:10.1 gearing. But if there were one con, I'd say the axle gearing is the sole reason I didn't go with 37s. I run 35s instead.

 

[Adventurebound]

You likely don't need 37s since this truck is so capable from the factory but after installing 37s I wouldn't go back to something smaller. These are big trucks and 37s just look right to me. Other than stance I like the increase in ground clearance since the pumpkins are so large and hang low. I run 37x13.5 KM3's and have no regrets. They are great on road and even better off-road. Looks like you have the 8 speed so re-gear would be less of a requirement. The big negative for me is no full size spare in the stock location but I plan on running a full size spare once I get a bed cover.

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Thanks for all the replies... definitely not new to the scene just to the Ram PW's. Coming from an IFS that large front pumpkin caught me off guard a few times (win for Carli did guard), which is really the only reason I'm leaning towards 37's. How did the BFG's fit? They typically run a little smaller, have to do much trimming?

 

[donivan]

@donivan are you running that with a lift?

Stock suspension, no lift, no trimming. Keep in mind that starting with 19's there was a slight increase in the front suspension of 7mm....still not sure what the difference is vs. prior years. Very, very slight rub on driver side sway bar that removed a little paint and when turning and suspension compresses slight rub somewhere but not worth even looking into it. I don't do any rock climbing or else it might rub some more or it may not.

 

[JHD1827]

I've been talking myself in and out of 35's or 37's since I got my truck. I would prefer 37's but I'm hung up on 2 issues.

Spare tire. I may be overlooking it but it doesn't look like any of you 37 boys currently have a spare. Almost 30 years of driving and I've yet to need one.. yet.. I already have a portable compressor and plug kit in the truck but a blown sidewall on the interstate (not likely) or out in the sticks could become a very serious and expensive issue. Bed mounts add cost, holes in the bed, and major loss of cargo space. Another wheel and tire is pricey.

Gears. I'm sure I could "live" with stock gears but Its hard to justify a performance downgrade for the sake of appearance. I'm sure the 8 speed will help mask the loss off the line but I doubt it will do much for pulling a load on the interstate. Major cost increase.

I've convinced myself 35's are the only logical answer but damn those 37's are sexy.

 

[Odin]

Keep in mind Donavan is running 13.5 wide. I've have the same tires but 12.5 on the AEV Salta and I have zero rub anywhere during normal driving. Now, I have hit the liner off roading, but nothing crazy.

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[Grand Mesa]

Mainly for exploration? The horsepower loss even with the Power Wagon's 6.4L at high altitude is quite noticeable with 35 inch tires. We have mountain passes in Colorado up to 13,000 feet in elevation. In Nevada I've camped at a Great Basin National Park campground at 9,886 feet.

The 6.4L 410 horsepower is at Sea Level. For an easier comparison I used 400 horsepower at Sea Level.

Sea level.......400hp
1,000 feet.......386hp
2,000 feet......372hp.
3,000 feet.......358hp
4,000 feet.......346hp
5,000 feet.......332hp
6,000 feet......320hp
7,000 feet......308hp
8,000 feet.......296hp
9,000 feet.......284hp
10,000 feet.....274hp

 

[retired]

Mainly for exploration? The horsepower loss even with the Power Wagon's 6.4L at high altitude is quite noticeable with 35 inch tires. We have mountain passes in Colorado up to 13,000 feet in elevation. In Nevada I've camped at a Great Basin National Park campground at 9,886 feet.

The 6.4L 410 horsepower is at Sea Level. For an easier comparison I used 400 horsepower at Sea Level.

Sea level.......400hp
1,000 feet.......386hp
2,000 feet......372hp.
3,000 feet.......358hp
4,000 feet.......346hp
5,000 feet.......332hp
6,000 feet......320hp
7,000 feet......308hp
8,000 feet.......296hp
9,000 feet.......284hp
10,000 feet.....274hp

The crazy thing for me is how little I feel the loss of hp going up in elevation or added power going down. I have traveled in California, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah quite extensively and never really noticed any real difference except on carbed bikes. Any FI vehicle has been pretty seamless going up or down. one of my favorite all time campgrounds is Molas Lake CG at over 10,000 feet.

 

[Grand Mesa]

The crazy thing for me is how little I feel the loss of hp going up in elevation or added power going down. I have traveled in California, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah quite extensively and never really noticed any real difference except on carbed bikes. Any FI vehicle has been pretty seamless going up or down. one of my favorite all time campgrounds is Molas Lake CG at over 10,000 feet.

Kite Lake is the highest USDA Forest Service Campground at 12,000 feet elevation that I've camped at. If there's anything higher in North America, I don't know of any.

 

[Maligator]

I've been talking myself in and out of 35's or 37's since I got my truck. I would prefer 37's but I'm hung up on 2 issues.

Spare tire. I may be overlooking it but it doesn't look like any of you 37 boys currently have a spare. Almost 30 years of driving and I've yet to need one.. yet.. I already have a portable compressor and plug kit in the truck but a blown sidewall on the interstate (not likely) or out in the sticks could become a very serious and expensive issue. Bed mounts add cost, holes in the bed, and major loss of cargo space. Another wheel and tire is pricey.

Gears. I'm sure I could "live" with stock gears but Its hard to justify a performance downgrade for the sake of appearance. I'm sure the 8 speed will help mask the loss off the line but I doubt it will do much for pulling a load on the interstate. Major cost increase.

I've convinced myself 35's are the only logical answer but damn those 37's are sexy.

I have a spare, granted its mounted on my bed rack but i wouldn't leave the blacktop or go on a long road trip without one. I found a sale tire at walmart and used my oem steel spare wheel. Im only in on my spare about $150. I also have a plug kit and compressor for pesky nails/screws

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[Overlander]

Mainly for exploration? The horsepower loss even with the Power Wagon's 6.4L at high altitude is quite noticeable with 35 inch tires. We have mountain passes in Colorado up to 13,000 feet in elevation. In Nevada I've camped at a Great Basin National Park campground at 9,886 feet.

The 6.4L 410 horsepower is at Sea Level. For an easier comparison I used 400 horsepower at Sea Level.

Sea level.......400hp
1,000 feet.......386hp
2,000 feet......372hp.
3,000 feet.......358hp
4,000 feet.......346hp
5,000 feet.......332hp
6,000 feet......320hp
7,000 feet......308hp
8,000 feet.......296hp
9,000 feet.......284hp
10,000 feet.....274hp

Keep in mind those losses will only be felt at WOT. Anything partial throttle and the throttle is limiting, not atmosphere. 4 low and 25% throttle work at sea level is easily replicable at 13k. And it's torque at the wheel that moves the truck so a lower gear can achieve the same required torque. Yeah, you may be moving slower at the same RPM but those types of uses are slow speed use.

Though, this does make a good argument for small displacement turbos that have excess capacity can can achieve sea level boost at altitude.

 

[Trailmaker]

Hey PW friends. I know this has been discussed a million times but I need tire help. I recently purchased a 2020 and need new tires...already...at 800 miles. Ram PowerWagons are new to me so need advice on the best tires for these trucks....

This is what I have so far:
Stock PW suspension
AEV Salta Wheels
Airbags w cradles in rear
Four Wheel Hawk camper in bed - about 1,300#

What I use the truck for:
Not really a daily driver. Used mainly for exploration. Will spend just as much time on dirt as payment. I live and mostly use the truck in the deserts of Southern Nevada. FWC is on the truck full time. Truck is set up for more "overlanding" than "rock crawling". With that said I still run many challging trails. Last truck set up I had ran Hell's Revenge with the camper on.

So this brings me to the question....Ive been going back and forth over 35s or 37s? I ran a couple sets of KO2's in my last truck and had zero issues other than major chunking over about a 80k mile duration. These apparently run smaller so leaning in that direction for 37's?

Do I really need 37's or will I be just as happy with 35's? Those that went 37's...would you go back to 35's? Do I even "need" 37's for what I will be using the truck for? I know 37's look cool and fill the wheel well and all but honestly I'm looking more for "go than show".

I wrote a few billion times that I was getting 37s but I ended up taking my OEM to 21k and found a deal on my 35s (1050 installed) that I could not pass up. And to be honest. I have no regrets not gaining that 1”. I had to modify my carport to accommodate the me height. The OEM tires really measured out to 31.5 and my 35s measured out to 34.9 so I gained double then I had originally thought. And lost 2 mpgs. I was in denial for the last month.
I ski twice a year and sometimes chains are inevitable. Clearance will be an issue. good luck! 1200 dollar decision.