Tire size for towing
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Sandusky Ohio
Tire size for towing
What's the general concensus on the largest tire size acceptable for general duty, towing, hauling, etc? 33"/285? 35"/315? Assume that gear ratio will be matched to tire size increase. Am considering aggressive all-terrain or light mud-terrain radials.
My truck has 265's now on 16" rims and 3.55 gears; but I want to increase the size to at least 285's and 4.10/4.30 ratio, which will require a very slight lift to maintain the wheel well clearance I have now.
I don't use my truck a lot, but it tows a 20-28ft boat, snowmobiles, 7x16 enclosed trailer, atv's, general duty I would say.
My truck has 265's now on 16" rims and 3.55 gears; but I want to increase the size to at least 285's and 4.10/4.30 ratio, which will require a very slight lift to maintain the wheel well clearance I have now.
I don't use my truck a lot, but it tows a 20-28ft boat, snowmobiles, 7x16 enclosed trailer, atv's, general duty I would say.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
I have 37's now and it towed my 18ft boat fine. When I upgraded to a 26ft boat, that wasn't very fun to tow at highway speeds. I am waiting for new rims and tires to come in, going with 35's this time around.
If you are looking to maintain the E rated tires, Nitto is one of very few that make them in a 315 size.
I considered that but I have an 8 inch lift which would look funny with 33inch tires.
I plan on taking a few leaves out of the front to bring it down an inch or two, but for now it is staying at 8.
The E rated tires generally hold 65psi and thus will flex less and make for a more stable towing platform.
If you are looking to maintain the E rated tires, Nitto is one of very few that make them in a 315 size.
I considered that but I have an 8 inch lift which would look funny with 33inch tires.
I plan on taking a few leaves out of the front to bring it down an inch or two, but for now it is staying at 8.
The E rated tires generally hold 65psi and thus will flex less and make for a more stable towing platform.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I run 235/85s on the front, and 285/75s on the rear to have a decent mix of cargo capacity, mileage and controllability. Wider tires up front will follow ruts and take more persistent correction to keep them in a straight line. The pizza cutters just roll with it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
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From: PHOENIX
Is your tire rotation plan just left to right and vice-versa?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Not everyone does tire rotations....
Personally I do on cars or my pick ups, but never did or will on the motorhome.
Personally I do on cars or my pick ups, but never did or will on the motorhome.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Tire rotations aren't 100% needed unless your vehicle has uneven wear issues. You may be able to get a few thousand more miles if you rotate, but on a dedicated hauling vehicle it's pretty pointless. The tires will typically dryrot long before the tread wears out.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Sandusky Ohio
Unfortunately my truck is missing what it takes to use a tuning module....the diesel engine...ha ha. I guess I don't need bigger tires...they just look cool! I'd love to do a rev.shackle kit and 315's, but then gears would be more of a must and people would complain even more how hard it is to step into my truck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
4 cheap back tires, Hercules only lasted 5 years before being bald all 4 of 'em!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Sandusky Ohio
Haha they DO look cool! The way I figure it, a taller sidewall just by nature creates more flex. I drive a lot for work, and the guys I see doing any serious hauling with 3/4 or 1 ton trucks never have monsterous tires. I know there are a lot of guys that tow with 37" tires and do just fine, but to do it the RIGHT way, there's a lift, alignment, re-gear, etc...and that unfortunately is not in my budget.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
Yeah I think the sidewall has a lot to do with it too. I looked at going to 20" rims and 35" E rated tires by Toyo, but they were way to expensive compared to 17" tires.
I don't get it. The outside diameter is the same, just the sidewall size is different. I would think the 20" should be cheaper because it has a smaller sidewall and therefore less rubber.
I don't get it. The outside diameter is the same, just the sidewall size is different. I would think the 20" should be cheaper because it has a smaller sidewall and therefore less rubber.
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