Fitment sanity check - 295/70/R18 on 18x9 +12 wheels.

[jarrington]

It's becoming really obvious that the Firestones aren't going to work for me - I live at about 9000 ft in the CO mountains with about 2 miles of dirt road between the highway and my place. It's basically snow / slush / ice / slop for at least half the year. Heck, even getting out of my driveway is an adventure with the POS Transforces. My old Suburban is on worn Goodyear Wrangler Adventures and they feel like studded snows compared to the Firestones.

I'm hauling a slide-in truck camper and will be right around the GVWR most of the time, so if I'm splurging on new rubber I figured I'd also go with a bigger tire to bump up the tire load rating to give myself some breathing room on tire capacity. As I understand the stock wheels are only rated at 3500 lbs, actually a bit below the tire rating, so they would need an upgrade as well.

Current thinking is Michelin Defender LTX M/S 295/70/R18 with Icon Rebound HD (4000 lb load rating) in 18x9 with a +12 offset. I'm not lifting or installing fender flares, will I have any issues rubbing the fender liners / etc with this setup? The Method NV 305 HD is the only other wheel option I could find with a heavier load rating than stock (4500 lbs!!!) but they're quite a bit more expensive than the Icons. They have a 18x9 with an 18 offset, so it'll stick out a little less than with the Icons.

Anybody with a similar setup?

Also, I've heard the Michelins are fantastic tires and decent in the snow even without the 3 peak rating. My second option would be Goodyear Duratracs but those are a lot more than the Michelins and this rig will stay on-road close to 100% of the time so don't really want or need the more aggressive on/off road tread of the Goodyears.

Thoughts?

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

What is your reason to want to up your tire load rating at 3500lbs per side thats more than enough

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Similar but not the same, best I can do. Hope this helps a little.

18x9 +18
285/75-18
Stock suspension

Comes close, but no rubbing whatsoever on flat ground. If I am turning and hitting a driveway or something, I get a slight rub on the inner fender

wheel turned to closest point :

 

[kobra]

I went with the same size tire on my 2020 3500 ltd. (LT295/70R18)
I looked at the Method 305 HD, but they were backordered in Canada for weeks. I settled on Fuel Blitz D674 18x9 +20 offset, with a 3700lb capacity rating. That is more than OEM. I was told by a couple tire shops that as long as the wheels matched the axle rating, nothing more was needed. That is why the 3500lb factory rims are ok even though the factory tires exceed that. Others may know differently.

I have had the Michelin tires before and they are very good highway tires, great in wet, not really great in deep snow and ok on ice. I went with Falken Wildpeak AT3W this time as they have the 3PMSF rating and get good reviews. I don't have enough experience on them to know for sure but initial impressions are good. They are much cheaper than the Michelins where we are.
I have absolutely no rubbing anywhere, but with the +12 offset, that may be an issue but I can't say.

hth
B

a photo I've posted elsewhere...

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I was testing a set of 33s on 17x9 +12 before i put 35s on the wheels from what i can see it should be a great fit may need to mold the inner fender a touch with a heat gun

 

[jarrington]

What is your reason to want to up your tire load rating at 3500lbs per side thats more than enough

Years ago when I was young and dumb(er) I had a tire blow out on the freeway while hauling a slide-in camper. I managed to get pulled over ok but it was real scary with such a top heavy load. That was when I learned there was a difference between load range C and load range E tires...

With my setup we should be below the max tire rating in most if not all circumstances but I'd rather be 300-400 lbs below the max tire rating than bumping right up on it.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Years ago when I was young and dumb(er) I had a tire blow out on the freeway while hauling a slide-in camper. I managed to get pulled over ok but it was real scary with such a top heavy load. That was when I learned there was a difference between load range C and load range E tires...

With my setup we should be below the max tire rating in most if not all circumstances but I'd rather be 300-400 lbs below the max tire rating than bumping right up on it.

What im meaning is your stock wheels are over the factory axle rating.... your truck should be a 10ply minimum

 

[jarrington]

Similar but not the same, best I can do. Hope this helps a little.

18x9 +18
285/75-18
Stock suspension

Comes close, but no rubbing whatsoever on flat ground. If I am turning and hitting a driveway or something, I get a slight rub on the inner fender

wheel turned to closest point :

View attachment 10394

Thanks for the visual. Thinking the Michelins are quite a bit more rounded, which should help.

 

[jarrington]

What im meaning is your stock wheels are over the factory axle rating.... your truck should be a 10ply minimum

From what I understand the 12" AAM rear axle itself can handle way more than the 7000 lb rating, it's the wheels and tires that are the limiting factor.

In the truck camper world there are guys that upgrade their SRW trucks to 19.5" wheels and tires and haul loads that are way, way, way beyond factory spec. I just want a little more piece of mind when bumping right up to the rear axle GAWR.

 

[kobra]

How heavy is your camper?

B

 

[jarrington]

I went with the same size tire on my 2020 3500 ltd. (LT295/70R18)
I looked at the Method 305 HD, but they were backordered in Canada for weeks. I settled on Fuel Blitz D674 18x9 +20 offset, with a 3700lb capacity rating. That is more than OEM. I was told by a couple tire shops that as long as the wheels matched the axle rating, nothing more was needed. That is why the 3500lb factory rims are ok even though the factory tires exceed that. Others may know differently.

I have had the Michelin tires before and they are very good highway tires, great in wet, not really great in deep snow and ok on ice. I went with Falken Wildpeak AT3W this time as they have the 3PMSF rating and get good reviews. I don't have enough experience on them to know for sure but initial impressions are good. They are much cheaper than the Michelins where we are.
I have absolutely no rubbing anywhere, but with the +12 offset, that may be an issue but I can't say.

hth
B

a photo I've posted elsewhere...

Believe it or not the Michelins are cheaper than the Falkens where I am. Your setup is almost exactly the same as mine, do you mind if I ask how much clearance you have? The +12 offset will push the tires out a bit compared to your setup but the highway tires have a less aggressive tread profile

My neighbor put a set of the Michelins on his 3/4 ton Chevy and according to him he rarely needs to put it in 4wd driving through the neighborhood. Our plow guy is pretty on top of things so I usually don't have to dig through deep snow.

 

[kobra]

@jarrington - I will try to get a picture for you of the wheel well when turned. But if you can give me a couple of days; I'm working from home right now so truck is sitting out in the winter cold. I have to drive on Wednesday so can fire it up and get a photo then.

Interesting on the price of Michelins; around here they must line them with gold
Totally agree that the Michelins are really good tires and I've had several sets in the past; best tire for tread life I've ever had.

B

 

[jarrington]

I'm in no rush, thanks for being willing to take a look. I need to drop the camper so I can pull into the garage and make sure I have enough clearance for the taller tires anyway.

My local shop has the Michelins at $264 and the Falkens at $268, and there's also a $70 rebate on a set of Michelins right now.

 

[Lionheartoutdoors]

I have 295/70r18 on +12 offset rims. The tires are Yokohama X-AT , with actual measurements of 34.6x12x18. They are the larger of the 295 sizes. There is minor rubbing only while going in reverse , ex. backing up a driveway on a slope. The wheels are 18x 9 with +12 offset. If i could do it over, I would go with a +18 offset and would choose a tire such as the Falken Wildpeaks , or anything with the 3PMS, and that is proven with HD Ram owners.

 

[jarrington]

I have 295/70r18 on +12 offset rims. The tires are Yokohama X-AT , with actual measurements of 34.6x12x18. They are the larger of the 295 sizes. There is minor rubbing only while going in reverse , ex. backing up a driveway on a slope. The wheels are 18x 9 with +12 offset. If i could do it over, I would go with a +18 offset and would choose a tire such as the Falken Wildpeaks , or anything with the 3PMS, and that is proven with HD Ram owners.

That's exactly what I needed, thank you. It looks like the Michelin is about 1/4" smaller than your tire in most every dimension, so I should have just a bit more clearance than you. Now if only they weren't sold out everywhere.

Unpopular opinion alert: I personally think most all terrain tires in general are mediocre at best for on-road driving on snow and ice. A few years ago I had a Suzuki XL7 4x4 that had near-new Firestone highway tires when I bought it and it was a beast in the snow. Once they wore out I replaced them with a highly rated A/T tire with the 3PMS. They sure looked the business but were nowhere near as surefooted in the slippery stuff as the on-road Firestones.

Of course nothing beats a good set of dedicated winter tires.

 

[Lionheartoutdoors]

That's exactly what I needed, thank you. It looks like the Michelin is about 1/4" smaller than your tire in most every dimension, so I should have just a bit more clearance than you. Now if only they weren't sold out everywhere.

Unpopular opinion alert: I personally think most all terrain tires in general are mediocre at best for on-road driving on snow and ice. A few years ago I had a Suzuki XL7 4x4 that had near-new Firestone highway tires when I bought it and it was a beast in the snow. Once they wore out I replaced them with a highly rated A/T tire with the 3PMS. They sure looked the business but were nowhere near as surefooted in the slippery stuff as the on-road Firestones.

Of course nothing beats a good set of dedicated winter tires.

Right now most tires are on back order I guess because of winter and Christmas sales? The tires that I see availabl, they have increased the prices substantially. If you would like a michelin style tire, a good suggestion is the Yokohama AT G015. They are 3PMS rated. I have a set on my Toyota Tacoma, and they are great in all adverse conditions, and have done well off road. l liked them so much i put a set on my wife’s Honda CRV. The problem is, they have been sold out since Thanksgiving time in the 295/70 size. Finding a good tire is much more difficult with the weight of the Ram.

 

[kobra]

Right now most tires are on back order I guess because of winter and Christmas sales? The tires that I see availabl, they have increased the prices substantially. If you would like a michelin style tire, a good suggestion is the Yokohama AT G015. They are 3PMS rated. I have a set on my Toyota Tacoma, and they are great in all adverse conditions, and have done well off road. l liked them so much i put a set on my wife’s Honda CRV. The problem is, they have been sold out since Thanksgiving time in the 295/70 size. Finding a good tire is much more difficult with the weight of the Ram. Also take note of your gearing . My truck has 3:73, and I do notice a difference when on the mountain backroads.

What truck are you driving?
I have a cummins HO with 3.73's and can't say there is any noticeable difference when driving empty. And, compared to my 2016 SO with 3.42's, the new one has more power, as expected.

Thanks!
B

 

[Lionheartoutdoors]

What truck are you driving?
I have a cummins HO with 3.73's and can't say there is any noticeable difference when driving empty. And, compared to my 2016 SO with 3.42's, the new one has more power, as expected.

Thanks!
B

Ive got 3.73 with the 68rfe , 6.7 cummins. I live near the coast but spend a lot of time in the mountains. Ive just noticed a difference when im up there with the shift points.

 

[jarrington]

Right now most tires are on back order I guess because of winter and Christmas sales? The tires that I see availabl, they have increased the prices substantially. If you would like a michelin style tire, a good suggestion is the Yokohama AT G015. They are 3PMS rated. I have a set on my Toyota Tacoma, and they are great in all adverse conditions, and have done well off road. l liked them so much i put a set on my wife’s Honda CRV. The problem is, they have been sold out since Thanksgiving time in the 295/70 size. Finding a good tire is much more difficult with the weight of the Ram.

If I can't find the Michelins in stock I may go with the Bridgestone Dueler Revo, which Tire Rack rated highly and specifically praised winter driving. They're in stock and fairly cheap at Costco. My truck is a Hemi with the 4.10 so I should be fine with the gearing. I bought my camper from a guy in the Silverthorne, CO area so the first thing I did when I drove it home was head up the "Ike Gauntlet", the same stretch of road the TFLTruck guys use to test everything. No issues at all getting over the pass with the camper on the back so even with the taller tires I'm not too worried.

 

[LateToTheParty]

I have 295/70r18 on +12 offset rims. The tires are Yokohama X-AT , with actual measurements of 34.6x12x18. They are the larger of the 295 sizes. There is minor rubbing only while going in reverse , ex. backing up a driveway on a slope. The wheels are 18x 9 with +12 offset. If i could do it over, I would go with a +18 offset and would choose a tire such as the Falken Wildpeaks , or anything with the 3PMS, and that is proven with HD Ram owners.

Love those wheels. I put the same ones on my wife's Durango.

I had plans to put the same on my truck, but they were backordered everywhere, so I ultimately changed up my plans. Hoping the new choice shows up next week.