20" Wheel for Towing
- Thread starter 'Lil Guy'
- Start date
'Lil Guy'
Well-known member
That's what I'm talking about. Thinking the shorter sidewall would give the TV a more stable ride when towing. I might be looking at this all wrong though. Wouldn't be the 1st time. Thanks for the input.
JanAndBill
Well-known member
Part of me wants to say this isn't a good option, but another part wonders if it might. Heat is the enemy, and flexing is the cause. So the more rubber, you have to flex the more heat, but you also have a greater area to disperse the heat with the taller sidewall. When I first started out in trucking years ago, the 11R24.5 and 11R22.5 was the tire of choice. When we started shifting to the LP model people said it wouldn't hold up, but it did. I would think the shorter sidewall would give a stiffer ride, with less roll from side to side.
JanAndBill
Well-known member
Interesting, I wonder if it also improves fuel mileage, as the circumference is greater. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=53
Yeah, my GMC had the LT265/60R20's on it new. I just replaced them with Goodyear Wrangler AT Adventurers and it was $330 per tire. The worst part is that I didn't have many choices in this tire size. Every other tire had horrible ratings.
I haven't had smaller rims on it, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I've never noticed anything unusual about the pulling characteristics of this size of tire.
Jim.Allison
Well-known member
Baker
Tell you what I'm doing; I am in the process of buying a set of 4 20 inch rims and putting them on my 2013 RAM 2500. The diameter of the tire is slightly larger than the OEM but I think my speedometer system can be adjusted, My 2500 pulls good right now, but pinweight has always been my concern. With the 20 inch not so much......
Tell you what I'm doing; I am in the process of buying a set of 4 20 inch rims and putting them on my 2013 RAM 2500. The diameter of the tire is slightly larger than the OEM but I think my speedometer system can be adjusted, My 2500 pulls good right now, but pinweight has always been my concern. With the 20 inch not so much......
'Lil Guy'
Well-known member
I'm very aware it doesn't change the sticker on the door. However, in case I opt for the 2500 over the 3500 TV, my real concern would be rear tire failure and stability. I was assuming the shorter sidewall would let it handle a little better. If they have a higher weight load, the better. Since tire height is controlled by tire size, I would be getting the correct tire size recommended for the truck to maintain ride height. This wasn't posted to compare TV's. I know you can,t replace the DRW with a SRW and get the same stability. Just wondering about the best option if I go with the SRW. Thanks.
Jim.Allison
Well-known member
Yes you are right, but in this state, we can exceed that placard by 15%. I'm sure it similar in other states.
superduty08
Tennessee Chapter Leaders
When I ordered my 08 F350 the rating chart showed lower towing capacity with the 20" tires. I went with the 18" to have the higher capacity. Don't know about the Dodge.
Jim.Allison
Well-known member
I would think that the load rating of the tire has something to do with it, But I don't think there are any LT 18 that exceed the load rating of a 20. The RAM uses the Firestone Transforce AT or HT. LT285/60R 20 at 3860 lbs at 80 psi.
Interesting, when I ordered mine there was no difference in the towing rating. I went with the 20 inch wheels as I needed the extra load capacity for the Augusta.
We run 19.5 on all the ranch trucks, due to the better tires that have much higher load ratings. Better stability as well.
You are absolutely right. Same reason the large trucks went to higher / larger diameter wheels. The higher load rating is a plus. The only down side is the higher priced tire but not really that much higher than the 18's. Look better on the trucks also.
Jim.Allison
Well-known member
TireRack had a set of Firestone Transforce AT in 20 inch for $1000 and change.
