Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-23-2015, 08:04 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA
Posts: 515
Truck tires...20" or 17", E rated?

I have a 2005 Dodge Ram, quad cab with the 5.7, geared 3.92. It has the factory 20” rims & tires. I will most likely be purchasing tires before next camping season. Several other camping friends have went with “E” rated tires for their trucks pulling their campers. I am considering doing the same. I am well within the Ram’s tow rating with my #4100 pound camper even when I include all the “stuff” loaded. I am mainly considering it for peace of mind more than anything.
One thing that has come up in discussion is the 20” vs 17” tires. The Ram’s had both options for my model year (and many other years). Most say that the 17” with E rated tires are a much better towing option than the 20” E rated. I have found several sets of OEM Dodge 17” rims on Craigslist, but I am not sure about making the switch. If I would do so, I would go with a taller 17” tire to get it close to being the same overall diameter of the 20”. That should keep my speedometer close also. Of course the 17” tires have a wider selection and cheaper price. I’m not going to say price is no factor, but, The tires should last me for quite a while. The truck is not a daily driver and only has about 45,000 miles on it. Kept in the garage, so I have had no issues with dry rot on the current tires either.
For anyone with experience, I guess I have 2 questions after that long rant:

1 – Would the E rated tires just be overkill for a truck pulling a lighter weight camper like mine?

2 – Anyone else ever switched from a 20” to 17” (or 18” etc) and noticed a difference at all?


Thanks
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 23LB
howie70 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2015, 08:07 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
B and B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
Send a message via AIM to B and B
I ran e 20 inch tires on my F 150 Ecoboost. No advantage in weight carrying capacity as the truck is maxed out anyways with stock P series. I did not want to pay for another set of rims.
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
B and B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2015, 10:05 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
dsjohns71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 304
I actually looked at the same thing as I have 20" wheels on my RAM... The 20's have a slightly better (higher) rating but I don't the night it matters too much as long as it "E" rated LT tire. Personally I wouldn't get new wheels. Look on tire rack.com. For the 20" tires I really like the Michelin LTX AT2 in the LT type tires, but that my opinion...
dsjohns71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2015, 10:12 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
B and B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
Send a message via AIM to B and B
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsjohns71 View Post
I actually looked at the same thing as I have 20" wheels on my RAM... The 20's have a slightly better (higher) rating but I don't the night it matters too much as long as it "E" rated LT tire. Personally I wouldn't get new wheels. Look on tire rack.com. For the 20" tires I really like the Michelin LTX AT2 in the LT type tires, but that my opinion...
X2. The AT2 are noisy but great in Snow as well!!
__________________
B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
B and B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2015, 09:13 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Jim34RL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Oswego il
Posts: 2,428
Quote:
Originally Posted by howie70 View Post
I have a 2005 Dodge Ram, quad cab with the 5.7, geared 3.92. It has the factory 20” rims & tires. I will most likely be purchasing tires before next camping season. Several other camping friends have went with “E” rated tires for their trucks pulling their campers. I am considering doing the same. I am well within the Ram’s tow rating with my #4100 pound camper even when I include all the “stuff” loaded. I am mainly considering it for peace of mind more than anything.
One thing that has come up in discussion is the 20” vs 17” tires. The Ram’s had both options for my model year (and many other years). Most say that the 17” with E rated tires are a much better towing option than the 20” E rated. I have found several sets of OEM Dodge 17” rims on Craigslist, but I am not sure about making the switch. If I would do so, I would go with a taller 17” tire to get it close to being the same overall diameter of the 20”. That should keep my speedometer close also. Of course the 17” tires have a wider selection and cheaper price. I’m not going to say price is no factor, but, The tires should last me for quite a while. The truck is not a daily driver and only has about 45,000 miles on it. Kept in the garage, so I have had no issues with dry rot on the current tires either.
For anyone with experience, I guess I have 2 questions after that long rant:

1 – Would the E rated tires just be overkill for a truck pulling a lighter weight camper like mine?

2 – Anyone else ever switched from a 20” to 17” (or 18” etc) and noticed a difference at all?


Thanks
OK you had me confuse at first you stated that you have a 2005 truck but I really think this is a 2015 truck. Correct?

I my self would not buy the 20" tires and wheels for the truck. I know that you have the gasser; but this will should work for you as noted below. I only found one tire size in the LT series such as LT335/60R/20 125R is this the tire that comes on the truck? If so it is rated 3670 LBS @50 PSI.

You can go with 17" 10 ply 126R rated tires such as the Nitto Dural Grappler LT285/70R/17 126 R tires and aftermarket wheels that will support the tire load. The tire is rated for 3750 LBS each at 80 PSI; this is what I am running on my 2008 Ram diesel truck.

Now will your axle support this load, is it the same axle that is put under the diesel trucks? I am not sure.
__________________
Jim W.
2016 34RL CC; 2008 Ram Mega Cab 2500HD, 6.7L, 68RFE 6 speed, 4X4, Smarty S67, TDR 145K+miles
Jim34RL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2015, 09:33 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: West Jordan, UT
Posts: 877
I had the AT2 (e rated) on my previous Dodge, they were a bit noisy and I had a hard time keeping them balanced (a separate problem, no fault of the tire) I liked them and the ride was fine.

I loved the tread wear warranty too!
__________________
2018 XLR Nitro 36T15
2015 GMC 3500 6.6/Allison

Nights Camped (2018-16) (2017-16) (2016-13) (2015-13)
SuicideSaints is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2015, 10:14 AM   #7
Phat Phrog Stunt Crew
 
elind's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Upper Penisula Michigan / Arizona
Posts: 2,767
I had 20" tires on my 2013 Chev 1500 and thought about upgraded to "E" tires on it. The diameter is the same as 17"/18" tires but finding 20" E tires was very limited. Is their a reason for this? I think the shorter sidewalls would be stronger.(?) I would check the rims if 80 psi will work.
__________________
Ed & Ruthann / Toby and Tucker
2014 GMC Sierra Crewcab 2500 Duramax
2014 Wildcat 327ck
elind is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2015, 02:56 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA
Posts: 515
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim34RL View Post
OK you had me confuse at first you stated that you have a 2005 truck but I really think this is a 2015 truck. Correct?

I my self would not buy the 20" tires and wheels for the truck. I know that you have the gasser; but this will should work for you as noted below. I only found one tire size in the LT series such as LT335/60R/20 125R is this the tire that comes on the truck? If so it is rated 3670 LBS @50 PSI.

You can go with 17" 10 ply 126R rated tires such as the Nitto Dural Grappler LT285/70R/17 126 R tires and aftermarket wheels that will support the tire load. The tire is rated for 3750 LBS each at 80 PSI; this is what I am running on my 2008 Ram diesel truck.

Now will your axle support this load, is it the same axle that is put under the diesel trucks? I am not sure.
Nope, 2005 is the correct year. It already has 20" tires & wheels, (265/60/20) what I was considering was buying 17" wheels and tires.
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 23LB
howie70 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2015, 04:31 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Sgt. Schultz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 277
Just posted this another tire thread as well -, some good info at
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=194
Note the following:
P-metric tires used on passenger cars and station wagons are rated to carry 100% of the load indicated on the tire's sidewall (or listed for the tire in industry load/inflation charts). However, if the same P-metric tires are used on light trucks, (pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles for example), their carrying capacity is reduced to 91% of the load indicated on the tire's sidewall. This reduction in load results in causing light truck vehicle manufacturers to select proportionately larger P-metric sized tires for their vehicles to help offset the forces and loads resulting from a light truck's higher center of gravity and increased possibility of being occasionally "overloaded."
.
.
.
For example, P235/75R15 P-metric sized, standard load tires used on cars and light trucks would be rated to carry the following maximum loads at 35 psi:
.
.
CarsFull Value2028 lbs.
.
Light Trucks
9% Reduced Value1845 lbs.
__________________
PT Avenger 33BHS-TE
2020 f-250
Sgt. Schultz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2015, 06:59 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
muddyrode's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SE Iowa
Posts: 628
I have 20 inch tires on my 2500 HD i chose a set of cooper with a litter more aggressive
tread since i live in Iowa and in the country roads are usually snow or mud this year they are an E rated and there was not much of a choice in the 20 tire with the tread style i was looking for but very happy with them ,got them at discount tire
__________________
2016 SANDPIPER 35ROK
2013 Silverado Duramax 3500HD DRW LB

Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey
muddyrode is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
tire, tires, truck

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:13 PM.