Best tires for my tow vehicle?

[parver]

I have a 2011 Silverado 3500hd durmax crewcab longbed 4x4 single rear wheel

I am looking at towing a 5th wheel. Right now the truck has LT 275/70 R 18 tires (see pictures). I believe the stock tire is a 265 (based on tirerack), so I have a slightly larger tire.

Should I go back to the stock size tires for towing? Need to replace the tires looking for recommendations. Thanks!

[DieselDrax]

The tires on your truck now are slightly wider and taller than the OEM tires, the impact this will have on towing is it reduces your effective gear ratio slightly (by roughly 1.8%).

For example, if you have 4.10 gears then those tires change your effective gear ratio to around 4.02. It's not a huge change, but if you're planning on towing a huge 5er that will put you near your limits then I would run the OEM size just to regain that gearing edge. In the grand scheme, it's not likely to make a noticeable difference. Biggest thing is to make sure you replace them with load range E tires.

[TheWolfPaq82]

If your sticker is still on the door post inside drivers door, it should show the stock size tires allowed for the vehicle. My 2500HD allows for two different stock tires. 18" and 20" I have the 20" from my kids new truck on mine now. It had 18" when I bought it used. 2014 GMC Duramax.

[Wilco]

Going to the 265s will probably lower your load capacity. Check you axle weights with the loaded 5th wheel attached to verify that you will still be within the tire rating.

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by Wilco

Going to the 265s will probably lower your load capacity. Check you axle weights with the loaded 5th wheel attached to verify that you will still be within the tire rating.

265/70R18 LR E is the OEM tire size, OP mentioned this. So going back to the OEM size won't reduce any of the certified weight ratings of the truck.

[MR.M]

with the duramax i can't imagine the little bit larger tires would be noticed at all . now my 6.0 gas when i started towing the TH i went back to stock size from the 265 i was running to the stock 245 . but can't compare the 6.0 to the duramax

[parver]

Thanks for all the feedback. You guys have my head spinning! Not sure what to do. What should drive the decision... price/availability? If it's basically the same.

Any specific tire recommendations? My costco has the "BFGoodrich - All-Terrain T/A KO2" and the "Michelin - Defender LTX M/S". In the past when I have looked this up, I remember very mixed reviews with the defender.

[babock]

Originally Posted by parver

Thanks for all the feedback. You guys have my head spinning! Not sure what to do. What should drive the decision... price/availability? If it's basically the same.

Any specific tire recommendations? My costco has the "BFGoodrich - All-Terrain T/A KO2" and the "Michelin - Defender LTX M/S". In the past when I have looked this up, I remember very mixed reviews with the defender.

I am going with the Michelins when its time to replace my original tires.

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by babock

I am going with the Michelins when its time to replace my original tires.

X2. Can’t go wrong with LT Michelins

[CurtPutnam]

+ 1 for the Michelins

[Jakieboy]

We also install the Michelin LT tires whenever replacing OEM's. Wish they still manufactured trailer tires, too.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Jakie-Boy

We also install the Michelin LT tires whenever replacing OEM's. Wish they still manufactured trailer tires, too.

I have never seen trailer tires made by Michelin.

[Jakieboy]

We had Michelin trailer tires on our first TT, a 24-foot Prowler. That was more than 20 years ago, and by the time we traded up to Komfort 29-foot TT, Michelin was no longer manufacturing trailer tires.

[rskeans]

You can't go wrong with the Michelin's. I put them on my Dually. Never had a smoother ride.

[Maxwell D Pratt]

Check the truck Manuel . Some manufactures don’t recommend using larger tires on due-lies . Can cause tire rub on some makes. Would be careful .

[parver]

Originally Posted by babock

I am going with the Michelins when its time to replace my original tires.

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

X2. Can’t go wrong with LT Michelins

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

+ 1 for the Michelins

Originally Posted by Jakie-Boy

We also install the Michelin LT tires whenever replacing OEM's. Wish they still manufactured trailer tires, too.

Originally Posted by rskeans

You can't go wrong with the Michelin's. I put them on my Dually. Never had a smoother ride.

A lot of recommendations for Michelins! Are we talking about the defender line?

[Carguy 51]

Originally Posted by parver

Thanks for all the feedback. You guys have my head spinning! Not sure what to do. What should drive the decision... price/availability? If it's basically the same.

Any specific tire recommendations? My costco has the "BFGoodrich - All-Terrain T/A KO2" and the "Michelin - Defender LTX M/S". In the past when I have looked this up, I remember very mixed reviews with the defender.

I am a long time Costco customer, and if you are buying tires for local use they are a good source for tires. Having said that I would recommend buying truck and trailer tires from Discount Tire Store. They are nearly every where nationwide. More locations than Costco. Whenever I have had a tire issue they’ve been great. There is one plus for Costco, they are open Sundays.

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by CurtPutnam

+ 1 for the Michelins

x2

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by Carguy 51

I am a long time Costco customer, and if you are buying tires for local use they are a good source for tires. Having said that I would recommend buying truck and trailer tires from Discount Tire Store. They are nearly every where nationwide. More locations than Costco. Whenever I have had a tire issue they’ve been great. There is one plus for Costco, they are open Sundays.

No Costco, but +1 on the Discount Tire

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by parver

A lot of recommendations for Michelins! Are we talking about the defender line?

I am not sure of others, but this is what I spoke of....