Bigger tires on 03 DRW 4x4

[dward]

When my current tires wear out I want to go bigger.
I carry a heavy Lance camper so don't plan on adding a lift kit.
With stock suspension and maybe a level kit in the front and the needed wheel spacers, how big of a tire can I run.
I would like to go around a 285 or 305 on the stock wheels. Probably need 2" spacers.
Will stock wheels handle this size tire, or will I have to get new wheels as well.
Anyone running bigger tires and what are your experiences.
Thanks.

 

[LFalconer]

When my current tires wear out I want to go bigger.
I carry a heavy Lance camper so don't plan on adding a lift kit.
With stock suspension and maybe a level kit in the front and the needed wheel spacers, how big of a tire can I run.
I would like to go around a 285 or 305 on the stock wheels. Probably need 2" spacers.
Will stock wheels handle this size tire, or will I have to get new wheels as well.
Anyone running bigger tires and what are your experiences.
Thanks.

Hi, Not sure on the wheels - likely will need new wheels for correct tire use. However - I strongly suggest you do not use spacers, but go with the billet 2" wheel adapters. These are made for the loads you are carrying. I had a GMC dually with them on - set the tires apart the right amount. You'll need to do the math on wheel offset and so forth.

Luke

 

[NIsaacs]

Do not use a front end level kit if you are going to haul heavy. You need the built in factory rake to haul the camper. Factory dually wheels are too narrow for a 285 tire.

Nick

 

[BDaugherty]

I have a customer running 285/70r17 on his 07 dually. He primarily uses it to tow and has not had any problems using the larger tires on stock wheels. Of course it isnt recommended as the duals touch, but in the real world he has worn out several sets of that size in all different brands and there have been no problems.

 

[EGroeneveld]

Do not use a front end level kit if you are going to haul heavy. You need the built in factory rake to haul the camper. Factory dually wheels are too narrow for a 285 tire.

Nick

I did a 2.5'' leveling kit up front and then SuperSprings rated at 5,000+ for the rear to haul my 5000 pound camper. I sit dead even now with the camper loaded. The SuperSprings lift the rear up even unloaded. Truck looks much better. I run stock size tires (currently Goodyear Duratracs). Don't need the airbags unless I am pulling a trailer too.

When I add my Enclosed trailer with 48'' Superhitch extension and Weight Distribution setup I add a little to the air bags and I love the setup!

 

[jelag]

I've used 19.5" tires and wheels on all my trucks for the past 10 years... 90K miles on a set of tires... I run new on the front and re-caps on the rear... to date with several trucks in a small fleet... we've never had a flat or blowout.. have had a few repairs from nails... but never a flat....

We've moved the load capacity to a 14 ply rated tire.... a harsher ride... but something like 750-900 lbs per tire of extra capacity... over the life of the trucks... I keep them 400K miles... they have been the most cost effective tires I've ever run...

The larger 19.5" diameter was an exact fix for the speedometer... so when we look at the GPS or the speedometer the two give the same speed...