Tire size for tow rig

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
The Tow Rig needs some new tires and I am debating on what size to go with. It is a 1996 4x4 2500 Dodge with the V10, 3.54 gears, and manual transmission.

Currently it has 285/75/r16s on it, but my debate is whether to step down to a 265/75/r16 to help with towing and the 3.54 gears. Stock size tires on this truck are said to be 245/75/r16s.

This is dedicated tow rig (and weekend hauler of junk) so are th2 285s going to hurt me towing with the 3.54 gears (conversely will the 265s help me with towing)?
 
With a manual I don't think you'll notice much difference (maybe a lil in gas mileage). I'd stay at 285s unless you tow heavy (10k+).

I think a 4x4 3/4 ton or 1 ton pickup should come with at least a 285 stock anyway.
 
I am thinking I will stay with 285s, anything smaller is going to look like ATV tires :D
 
John, are you saying the smaller tires would tow better?
 
JC said:
But work SO much better :) But hey, you got the jack, spend it how you want :driver:
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This^
BigClay said:
John, are you saying the smaller tires would tow better?
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Yes the smaller tires would give you a much better mechanical advantage when towing, both putting the power to the ground and braking.

Look at it this way, stepping back down to 245s would effectively give you the same final ratio as if you kept the 285s you have now and regeared the rearend to 3.90 rather than stock 3.55.

Not to mention, assuming you have narrow stock wheels, the shorter, stiffer sidewall would help with sway rather than the bubbled out 285s.

265s may be a good middle ground though.

If it was a DD/part time tow rig, I would say just weigh the benefits. Looks vs towing ability, but since you said it is a full time tow rig, I would definitely step down to 245s , although the benefits aren't really anything so major that I would buy a new set if the set you had were still good. And keep in mind 245s will be cheaper, and easier to find in load range E.
 
I think he's made a pretty drastic change, from 245 to 285; & with 3.54 sucky gears. I needed tires on my 98-Z-71, 1/2 ton, 5.7, 3.73 gears. Came with 265x75x16. Picked up a Great deal, on 255x70x16. It's thrown speedo & odo, fast by 10%. My math figures, I went from 3.73, to 4.10. But without putting it on a test track, I really can't tell the difference. Just running more RPM, bout the same on gas. Towing CJ, 9-10 mpg.:shaking:
 
Why not stay with the 285 width and just get it shorter than it is now? That will still supply you with traction for loose terrain and braking, but give you the gear ratio you want.
 
2Ton said:
Why not stay with the 285 width and just get it shorter than it is now? That will still supply you with traction for loose terrain and braking, but give you the gear ratio you want.
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Where are you going to find a 285 with a smaller sidewall ratio than 75 for a 16" wheel? I have seen a few 70 series tires in 285, but you are still looking at 1.25" taller than the 245s then, and every tire I have seen in that size is only load range C.

Also keep in mind that wider tires do not always equal better traction. Assuming conditions and loading are the same, a skinny and a wide tire will provide the same traction due to the ground pressure decreasing under the increased contact patch area of the wide tire. Now when you take deformation of the tread into consideration with a rough surface the wide tire will benefit simply by having something more to grab onto such as offroad situations. The wider tire will be more susceptible to hydroplaning, have less traction in wet weather, ice, and will hinder braking performance, acceleration, and fuel mileage due to increased rotating mass, not to mention the reduced mechanical advantage that is obvious with the larger diameter.
 
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD here. The truck had 285/75-16's on it when I bought it. I thought about stepping down to 245's or 265's when it came time to replace the tires about 4 yrs ago, but I only tow about once a month at the most, so I stuck with the 285's. I'm getting ready to replace them again with another set of 285's. I also never tow over 7,000 lbs. I agree that it would look stupid with 245's on it. The truck sits very high stock with large wheel openings.
 
My hauler(much older than what you guys have) is an 85 Chevy, 454, 465 tranny(No OD)
4.10:1 Gears. It came with 235 75 16's. Kept having blow outs on the rear, found out when loaded, my tires were touching. Not enough stud to put in a spacer, so we tried 225's, and they also touched, then we tried 215 85 16's and they had a good amount of space between them when we put a big diesel on the back. (almost lifted the front tires off the ground!) Really can't tell a difference in power, towing, or fuel mileage, only difference is about 2 MPH on the speedo.
 
I've got a CTD Dodge with a 6spd and 3.73 gears... so no where near an apples/apples comparison. But the truck had 315/70R17 on it when I bought it. I recently went to a 285/70R17. I didn't think it would make much of a difference, but it does. It has a lot more ass with the shorter tire.
 
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