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Old 01-23-2017, 12:05 PM   #1
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Best truck wheel size to tow fifth wheel?

I'm driving a 2009 Chevy 2500 4wd diesel crew cab. Pulling a 31' Sabre fifth wheel.
I have 16" tires and I'd like to upgrade to a larger wheel and tire. Not worried about cosmetics but I want to know what size would be best.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
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Old 01-23-2017, 04:00 PM   #2
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Personally I wouldn't go any bigger than 18".

When I ordered my Ram 3500, dealer wanted to know if I wanted the 20" like I had on my Ram 1500. Thought for a minute and even though the 20's would look better I had 2 thoughts. 1. How hard would it be to find 20" 10 ply tires, and 2. Ride would be rougher. I know it's only an inch of sidewall between the rim and road, but I felt it would be a rougher ride.

If your not too concerned about cosmetics I'd check with local junk yards. Not sure how many lugs your 2500 has. If it's less than 8, I think your chances of finding something goes up.

If you go the junk yard route, make sure the lug pattern is the same before you buy. I wouldn't be afraid to go so far as to bolt one on before I handed over the hard earned cash.

If the rims have tires, then BONUS.
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Old 01-23-2017, 04:19 PM   #3
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What's wrong with the original sized tires? They were fitted to perform all the functions your 2500 is capable of under normal circumstances.
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Old 01-23-2017, 04:37 PM   #4
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What's wrong with the original sized tires? They were fitted to perform all the functions your 2500 is capable of under normal circumstances.
I tend to agree.

IMO if you install a larger wheel and tire the stresses on the drive line will be increased. How much? Can be calculated if one wants to do a bit of research. Will it affect the performance and life of the drive line and could cause damage to the rear end, universal joints or transmission.
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Old 01-23-2017, 04:55 PM   #5
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Any increase in tire diameter without changing gearing is going to affect your available amount of power.

Now start towing 12-14k lbs with that power reduction and you'll really notice the difference.

So then you'll get a tuner to increase power to make up for the loss when going to the big tires. Now your mileage drops, EGT's are out of control, and you start burning out Turbos. Now not only did you pay for $1200 in tire/wheel package, + the $500 tuner, now your out a couple grand on a turbo etc etc etc.
You may laugh, but I see it time and time again on these forums...

Not worth it if you tow heavy regularly.

Now if you just want to go to say 18" wheels with an OEM size tire, nothing wrong with that - my Ford trim came with 18"s, but the lower trim trucks came with 16", 17" wheels. Just keep within OEM outer diameter tire spec for optimum towing performance.
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Old 01-24-2017, 08:01 AM   #6
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11R24.5.... with a big kitty and an 18 spd twistin' 'em. Can't have too much truck!
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Old 01-24-2017, 09:04 AM   #7
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Your OEMs are either a 245-75-16 or 265-7516. 265-75-16" are 31.7" dia.

You can go to a 265-70-17 @31.7" dia
Or 275-65-18 @32.1" dia. Less than 1/2" difference. You won't notice any power decrease or added stress with either of those two.
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Old 03-03-2017, 05:00 AM   #8
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My 1016 4x4 F250 is too tall, with its 20" wheels. I was thinking about going the other way, and sourcing some 18" wheels and tires, both to save money on tires and even-out the leveling of the trailer in tow. Probably much cheaper than lowering the truck or lifting the trailer. My truck will look worse, but I'm too cheap to care about that.
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Old 03-03-2017, 05:36 AM   #9
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I ordered my ram 3500 with 20's and they r fine. Michelin and firestone both make tires for it (forestones got 31k and were shot...michellins have 34k on them now and I have maybe 5-10k left on them). The new trucks do sit taller, but I am almost perfectly level towing my 16500 toy hauler. Enough pin weight helps here also (i.e. I wouldn't try and tow a half ton towable fiver with my truck as it be way off level)
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Old 03-03-2017, 07:26 AM   #10
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I sure like the 18" wheels on my F250. They are shod with the optional larger 18" (275-70) tire rated for a 3640 pound load capacity each, which is an increase in about 225 pounds. You say, not much but indeed it made for a significantly stiffer side wall and an (unfortunately) unloaded stiffer ride. I found a bit more stability while hauling the 5er as well. Height wise, about a half inch (1.1" on the diameter). I could have opted for a 20" tire with different wheels which would have added another 1/2 inch to the height and another hundred pounds capacity --- and a bunch more dollars/tire. Also, there are a few less choices for tires vs the 18".

You can install bigger wheels and tires but be aware that there may be some interference with components on the truck, so use care in your selection of wheels, especially with backspace dimensions.
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Old 03-09-2017, 02:17 PM   #11
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Ditto, Seems like when I start modifying thing I just mess something up. Go to the dealer and ask them and stay with their recommendations.
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Old 03-10-2017, 02:22 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FastEagle;3428901;Gordon Dewald View Post
What's wrong with the original sized tires? They were fitted to perform all the functions your 2500 is capable of under normal circumstances.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald View Post
I tend to agree.

IMO if you install a larger wheel and tire the stresses on the drive line will be increased. How much? Can be calculated if one wants to do a bit of research. Will it affect the performance and life of the drive line and could cause damage to the rear end, universal joints or transmission.
Not true if you get the correct sized tire that is the same outside diameter as the existing tires or very close.

If you chose to go larger go to 18" rims, as 17" tires are fading fast.
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Old 03-11-2017, 08:16 PM   #13
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Not true if you get the correct sized tire that is the same outside diameter as the existing tires or very close.

If you chose to go larger go to 18" rims, as 17" tires are fading fast.
If you get a larger wheel and tire the stresses will be increased. If you get the same diameter as an end result it will be as you say.

If you go from a 17 to 18 inch tire you will need a lower profile tire which in all likely hood will give you a harsher ride.
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Old 03-12-2017, 10:40 PM   #14
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17" wheels/tires seem to be alive and well on duallys....
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