I currently tow about 10Klbs with 285's tows ok however wondering how much towing performance increase I may see down to a 265/75/16.
Anyone with experience on both tires towing 10k+ Seems like it could pull a bit harder than it does with this large of tire. Thought the torque from programmer would wash the taller tire. I'm getting the diesel greed~! Want to pull 10k 75mph uphill! Stupid Diesel power! Possibly just deleting my kitty will unleash the beast?

I went from the 265's to 305's. I do notice a small bit of difference. I tow 18K+, and still does pretty darn good. I still have power in reserve, but my EGT's tell me I should not get too greedy.

I went from the 265's to 305's. I do notice a small bit of difference. I tow 18K+, and still does pretty darn good. I still have power in reserve, but my EGT's tell me I should not get too greedy.

I know the truck had SILLY power when I had factory 245's but who wants to drive a truck that looks like a roller skate...... :)

21-22k (just the trailer) on 285's and we run along just fine- not 75 uphill but... who wants their truck to look like it has pizza cutters for tires?

Do they slow it down a little- probably but not enough to make a big difference.

Using more fuel was the only thing that I noticed when I had bigger tires

IMO the towing performance in the mountains suffered a noticeable amount going from stock to 265's. The get up and go was less and the ability to maintain speed on climbs suffered. Have to be more mindful to downshift and watch temps. IMO towing in the 14K or higher trailer range with tall tires really needs gearing but again that is my opinion based on wanting to be able to maintain reasonable speeds on non-interstate roads that are not flat.

I currently tow about 10Klbs with 285's tows ok however wondering how much towing performance increase I may see down to a 265/75/16.
Anyone with experience on both tires towing 10k+ Seems like it could pull a bit harder than it does with this large of tire. Thought the torque from programmer would wash the taller tire. I'm getting the diesel greed~! Want to pull 10k 75mph uphill! Stupid Diesel power! Possibly just deleting my kitty will unleash the beast?

Unleash the kitty, you will like it!:D

Uncorking the Kitty won't make up for the mechanical advantage of lost gear reduction (increased tire diameter) but will help with egt some.


This is a quote from a thread on an RV Forum about the same exact question....for what it is worth...


"You need to take some peoples recommendations with a grain of salt. There are a lot of guys on the Dodge forums that claim to tow 10,000+ lbs with 35"+ tires. Of course they all say it tows great. They're either lying,or their idea of towing great isn't the same as mine."

I currently tow about 10Klbs with 285's tows ok however wondering how much towing performance increase I may see down to a 265/75/16.
Anyone with experience on both tires towing 10k+ Seems like it could pull a bit harder than it does with this large of tire. Thought the torque from programmer would wash the taller tire. I'm getting the diesel greed~! Want to pull 10k 75mph uphill! Stupid Diesel power! Possibly just deleting my kitty will unleash the beast?
What size rims?

What size rims?

16

Towing with 265/75/16 tires on stock 16x6.5 should be the limit, I personally would never tow with 285/75/16 on stock rims unless you are using the steel rims from the 3500 srw.

Towing with 265/75/16 tires on stock 16x6.5 should be the limit, I personally would never tow with 285/75/16 on stock rims unless you are using the steel rims from the 3500 srw.


I have 16x8 aftermarket wheels

Ive towed with both and never really noticed a whole lot of differance. I usually weigh in the 20k range with 25 foot gooseneck and 2 antique tractors.

You are safe with either size on 16x8 rims, I towed my 5er(9000 lbs empty) with my Cooper STT's 265/75/16 and switched back to stock wheels and noticed a huge difference, takeoffs from a stop are better, less tranny shifts. and lower EGT's

Gear ratio changes from stock tires to 265/75/16=3.60 gear ratio and 285/75/16=3.49 gear ratio

Gear ratio changes from stock tires to 265/75/16=3.60 gear ratio and 285/75/16=3.49 gear ratio

I went back to 265's. Pulls better, lower egt's, better torque response, rides better, and I never worry when in the off road about rubbing. Only thing 285's did were look "cool"

I tow 16k alot on 285/75/16 with stock wheels. They feel better IMO, when I had the factory 245's on there it didn't feel as strudy. But the bigger 285's put alot more rubber on the ground and hold the truck in place better, made me feel alot more comfortable running 75mph on the interstate. And I have no problem keeping that speed on the long hills. I can't compare to 265's though I never had them on this truck. I'd say the truck would like them better when towing but I love the look of my 285's...

Gear ratio changes from stock tires to 265/75/16=3.60 gear ratio and 285/75/16=3.49 gear ratio

thats so little why even talk about:rolleyes:

i tow 14000#s on my 285s all the time , if u want more power when towing get a better programmer...my 2cents

Gear ratio changes from stock tires to 265/75/16=3.60 gear ratio and 285/75/16=3.49 gear ratio

Your math is little funny.

LT245/75R16 LR E = ~30.5 tall
LT285R75R16 LR E = ~33 Tall

30.5/33 = 0.924242

That is an ~8% difference -no way towing performance is the same with a 10K trailer. A tuner may make it get up and go faster but it will drop dead sooner too....

Not saying it can't be done -just that towing performance will suffer as tire size increases with out gearing change. Just a mathmatical fact.....

Your math is little funny.

LT245/75R16 LR E = ~30.5 tall
LT285R75R16 LR E = ~33 Tall

30.5/33 = 0.924242

That is an ~8% difference -no way towing performance is the same with a 10K trailer. A tuner may make it get up and go faster but it will drop dead sooner too....

Not saying it can't be done -just that towing performance will suffer as tire size increases with out gearing change. Just a mathmatical fact.....

So if you factor the tire difference by 8% then your towing a 10800# trailer, not a 10000#

Is that seem normal? if is there more than that?

Comparing gear ratio/mechanical advantage/torque multiplication to rolling weight is like comparing apples and oranges for taste.

Not ever saying towing 10k with 285's can't be done. But performance will not be the same as stock -period. To maintain the same level of performance with out tuners will need gearing. Tuners can help but don't make up for the lack of mechanical advantage.....

It seems we are back to the statement previously posted that was extracted from an RV forum-----

"You need to take some peoples recommendations with a grain of salt. There are a lot of guys on the Dodge forums that claim to tow 10,000+ lbs with 35"+ tires. Of course they all say it tows great. They're either lying,or their idea of towing great isn't the same as mine."

Don't Ford's come with 285's from the factory?

I think 265, but they have different gearing than GM throughout the powertrain I'm sure.

I think 265, but they have different gearing than GM throughout the powertrain I'm sure.

They need it, gutless bastards..:D

Your math is little funny.

LT245/75R16 LR E = ~30.5 tall
LT285R75R16 LR E = ~33 Tall

30.5/33 = 0.924242

That is an ~8% difference -no way towing performance is the same with a 10K trailer. A tuner may make it get up and go faster but it will drop dead sooner too....

Not saying it can't be done -just that towing performance will suffer as tire size increases with out gearing change. Just a mathmatical fact.....
Stock tire height / by new tire height x stock gearing= new gearing size

Wouldn't the only true issue be acceleration from a stop and braking? The rest would have to do with speed. Say your going 65mph in 6th, and the engine is only turning like 1600 rpm (for example), but with the larger tires, your only pulling 1450 rpm. Maybe 1450 is too low to be effiecient, but 1600 may also be a little low. So you drop to 5th, where with stock tires your pulling 1900rpms and with larger 1750. If 1750 is the most efficient, than wouldn't that be the more ideal gearing? All the numbers I used were made up for this example, just posing the question. My truck came with 265 factory, I haven't noticed a difference going to the 285s. Usually tow about 12,000lb bumper pull.

Just to clear up, 08/09 Ford SDs come with 275 18s measuring 33" or 275 20s measuring 34".

Also, the guy saying not much of a difference was talking about 265 vs 285 not 245 vs 285. I'm inclined to agree unless you're pulling over 20k.

Just to clear up, 08/09 Ford SDs come with 275 18s measuring 33" or 275 20s measuring 34".

Also, the guy saying not much of a difference was talking about 265 vs 285 not 245 vs 285. I'm inclined to agree unless you're pulling over 20k.

Thanks for the clarification but I did get that .... Any 2500HD 2006 and B4 had 245's when it left the factory. That means about 4% change for 265's and about 8% change for 285's .....

I tow a 14400 GVWR fiver and noticed a big difference in get up and go between stock and 265's on now. I do tow in the mountains regularly. But again it is all in what you want to believe/accept performance wise in the big tire debate....

Thanks for the clarification but I did get that .... Any 2500HD 2006 and B4 had 245's when it left the factory. That means about 4% change for 265's and about 8% change for 285's .....

I tow a 14400 GVWR fiver and noticed a big difference in get up and go between stock and 265's on now. I do tow in the mountains regularly. But again it is all in what you want to believe/accept performance wise in the big tire debate....

I hear ya, I missed the 06 part.

Good to see you're putting your D'max to work.

They need it, gutless bastards..:D
so true.........................:D

305/70/16's are pretty much the same height as 285/75/16's just wider. I pull with 305's no problem but I have around 500hp and 900 or so ft lbs.

The only thing I ever sacrifice for "looks" are women. Other then that it is just a stupid truck bought to perform a job.

Anybody knows that the bigger tire you get the more maintenance you get. Getting out of hand on tires you will wipe out IDLER and PITNAMS like you change underwear and the same with front end bearings. 285-75's wont hurt though.

By all means have at the tires and such but know that is cost you better then twice in tires and maintenance then my goofy pizza cutters and I will pull you going up the hill anyday!!!!! I once pulled with a bud to West Virgina same exact truck except his being red and having 285's. He couldn't stay with me because his fan came on 4 times, mine once! I give anything for not having that fan come on because that is where it just falls flat on it's face.