20" Wheel Tire options

[apgambino]

Hi all,

I own a 2015 3500 Mega Cab Laramie and just passed 42k miles on my OEM Firestones. I have been very proactive in rotation/inflation management and as such have been good thus far but they are quickly approaching the end of their service life. Most of the truck's miles are spent towing my 42" toy hauler which weighs in at about 14.5K with ~7.3k on the rear axel (as weighed by a CAT scale) without my SxS in the back. I am currently stationed in NorCal so I do not currently see a lot of winter weather, but do see triple digits when towing in the summer. I do not do any real off-highway driving.

Since I tow heavy a lot, and am SRW I would like to replace my Firestones with a set that has a little more payload capacity. I have been combing through the forum to see what folks recommend for tire replacements, and it seems that I am somewhat limited by having 20" vs. 18" wheels. I've always had good luck with Coopers, but that was in my half ton days and I haven't seen any glowing recommendations about their 1 ton offerings. So my questions for the masses are:

1. What 20" tires do folks recommend for heavy towing and high temp environments?
2. Does anyone have any experience in using a wider size? I've found some companies advertise a larger payload capacity at 295 vs the OEM 285. I understand I'll get a small change in speedometer accuracy going this route.

Thank you in advance for helping me make an educated choice to keep my wife and girls safe on the road!

 

[chrisg331]

For mileage and heat I'd stick with Michelins or Goodyear in the stock size:

Michelin Defender LTX M/S - LT285/60R20/E 125/122R
Goodyear Wrangler® All-Terrain Adventure With Kevlar - LT285/60R20/E 125

I run 295's on the stock 20's but I like the off road floatation when aired down. I saw a minimal mileage decrease when stepping up to this size.

Going with Discount Tire you'll have any road hazard/warranty issue covered relatively quickly as they're pretty much everywhere. You did well with the stock Firestones. I only got around 30k.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My Son runs Nitto’s load range F. 50k last set with plenty of tread left.

 

[apgambino]

My Son runs Nitto’s load range F. 50k last set with plenty of tread left.

What size are the Nittos your Son uses? 285 or 295? I'd imagine 295 as Ihavent seen anything in the 285 size in a load range F.

 

[apgambino]

For mileage and heat I'd stick with Michelins or Goodyear in the stock size:

Michelin Defender LTX M/S - LT285/60R20/E 125/122R
Goodyear Wrangler® All-Terrain Adventure With Kevlar - LT285/60R20/E 125

I run 295's on the stock 20's but I like the off road floatation when aired down. I saw a minimal mileage decrease when stepping up to this size.

Going with Discount Tire you'll have any road hazard/warranty issue covered relatively quickly as they're pretty much everywhere. You did well with the stock Firestones. I only got around 30k.

Any reason to believe the larger size would generate more heat? I've looks at both Michelin and Goodyear in a 285, I'll have to see if the offer a 29 .

 

[apgambino]

So I think I am ready to pull the trigger on a set of Michelin Defender LTX M/S in either 285 or 295/60R20. Does the fact that my rig's pin weight puts me at my RAWR warrant bumping up to 295s?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Waiting on the tire size from him. 50k on these.

 

[NonFord]

I'm actually looking at switching from my 285/60's to running 275/65/20 as there are more options available in this size with better tires. Hopefully the small difference wont effect my 3.42's!

 

[apgambino]

Well gents after much back and forth I pulled the trigger on the Michelins in stock size. I ended up not wanting to skew the speed and make the truck work just a little bit harder given the slightly bigger size. Hopefully these Michelins perform as well as the Firestones did for me; they are not cheap!

 

[Cummins12V98]