Need new truck tires to tow heavy Fifth Wheel

[sunny2021]

Good day all. I have a 2022 RAM 3500 HEMI truck with LT285/60R20E Firestone tires rated for 3640 lbs. However the weight on my rear axle is currently at 7200 lbs. Can you please RECOMMEND a new tire with around 4080 lbs load rating that will fit my truck. 20" wheels.

Thanks.

 

[Grateful Dad]

Probably going to have to go to a different size , your looking for a tire with a 129 load index. I’m not one that you would call the “weight police” but are you not over the rear axle rating?

Pretty sure LT295/65/20 will be the size most common for that load range.

 

[sunny2021]

Probably going to have to go to a different size , your looking for a tire with a 129 load index. I’m not one that you would call the “weight police” but are you not over the rear axle rating?

Pretty sure LT295/65/20 will be the size most common for that load range.

I am trying to reduce the load down to about 6800 lbs while replacing the tires with a 4080 load rating as well. Thanks for the response.

 

[AH64ID]

Getting a tire with that rating will require a bigger tire, which will reduce towing performance.

I think the biggest I’d go is a 285/65R20 with a 3,860/tire rating.

To get a 4080 tire you may have to go with an 18” rim. The 285/75R18 has the 4,080 you mentioned.

 

[BikePilot]

An 18" or 17" wheel will ride better anyway, upgrade to that size and enjoy more capacity and the improvement in ride. OEM Ram, AEV and Method have them in appropriate weight ratings.

 

[AH64ID]

An 18" or 17" wheel will ride better anyway, upgrade to that size and enjoy more capacity and the improvement in ride. OEM Ram, AEV and Method have them in appropriate weight ratings.

I still have the OEM trashforce tires on my 20” wheels, but I haven’t noticed a huge ride difference 18’s to 20’s on my 4th gens. That may change when I put a better tire on. The ride may suffer slightly, but the loaded handing is better so it’s a tradeoff.

 

[Blythkd1]

I know you can get 20's up to 3750 lbs., I've had some. I'd just go with those and call it a day unless you would consider switching to smaller rims as others have mentioned. I don't really care for 20's, I just bought a truck that happened to have them. Switching rim sizes can be a fairly expensive endeavor unless you can get good coin out of your takeoffs.

 

[CharlieL]

I still have the OEM trashforce tires on my 20” wheels, but I haven’t noticed a huge ride difference 18’s to 20’s on my 4th gens. That may change when I put a better tire on. The ride may suffer slightly, but the loaded handing is better so it’s a tradeoff.

I recently replaced the original Transforce tires (20") at 34,500 miles with a set of Michelin Defender LTX. The ride is very noticeably improved. Stuck with OEM sized LT285/60 R20s, which are E1 load rated, 125 load index. I keep my tires at 65 psi, as from what I understand, an LT285/60R20 tire at 65 psi has a max load of 3,085 pounds, or 6,170 on the axle, which exceeds the rear axle 6,040 GAWR of my 2500.

 

[Brutal_HO]

My Falken A/T3W 285/65R20 are 3,860lbs @80PSI. That's 7,720lbs, well in excess of the RAWR.

 

[Icky]

These are going on my truck tomorrow- Toyo RT trail.

 

[AH64ID]

These are going on my truck tomorrow- Toyo RT trail.
View attachment 64973

For heavy towing that’s a bit big for the OEM 8” wide wheel, IMO. You want a tire that’s not too wide for the rim so you run a proper contact patch at the correct pressure for the load.

That tire is also 5% larger than stock, you you’ll likely feel reduced performance towing with the hemi.

The OEM rims are published at having a 3500lb load limit.

Just my 0.02.

Also just realized you’re not the OP, and have a HO. You won’t feel the gearing change as bad as the OP would, but still too wide on the OEM wheel, if that’s what you have, IMO.

 

[Icky]

For heavy towing that’s a bit big for the OEM 8” wide wheel, IMO. You want a tire that’s not too wide for the rim so you run a proper contact patch at the correct pressure for the load.

That tire is also 5% larger than stock, you you’ll likely feel reduced performance towing with the hemi.

The OEM rims are published at having a 3500lb load limit.

Just my 0.02.

Also just realized you’re not the OP, and have a HO. You won’t feel the gearing change as bad as the OP would, but still too wide on the OEM wheel, if that’s what you have, IMO.

My apologies the rt is approved for 8" the rt trail starts at 8.5".

 

[Icky]

My apologies the rt is approved for 8" the rt trail starts at 8.5".

Here's the RTs( not the RT Trail)

 

[AH64ID]

Here's the RTs( not the RT Trail)
View attachment 65037View attachment 65038

Any rubbing

 

[MEGA HO]

I think my Nittos ridge grapplers were in the 4000lbs range, Nittos are tough and good looking tires, there's a spec link on their website

Ridge Grappler | Hybrid Terrain Light Truck Tire | Nitto Tire

The Ridge Grappler features a revolutionary dynamic hybrid tread pattern and provides a quiet and comfortable with off-road performance capabilities.

www.nittotire.com

 

[Ewoodard]

These are going on my truck tomorrow- Toyo RT trail.
View attachment 64973

I have that exact same tire. Like them so far.

 

[Icky]

Any rubbing

Only when turning sharp, I haven't got down there to see where yet. I'm gonna do a level lift eventually, but I'm taking my trailer out this weekend and it was time for new tires on the truck.