[gsc1]

I just bought a '04 2500HD that has 285-75-16 and I know that it came from the factory with 245-75-16. The truck looks great with the leveled look and that size tire, but it's not practical for towing (which is what I bought the truck for in the first place). I don't want to put the 245's on if I can keep from it, so I've been thinking about 265-75-16 so that I can lower the T-bars back down. My question is this...How do you think the truck will look & handle with that size tire? I know it's smaller than the 285's, but than it's not the skinny 245's that came on it from the factory! Also, how does changing the size tire effect the gearing and the transmission (as in what what RPM the transmission shifts with larger/smaller tires)??

 

[Rocky Hock Rebel]

265s will look good with the T-bars back down. They will also give you better fuel milage than the 285s. They should perform great depending on what brand you get. Michelin makes a great tire. If your doing serious towing you're better off getting a E rated or 10 ply tire even though 8 plys are fine. Thats all i've ever used.

 

[5Cent]

265s will look good with the T-bars back down. They will also give you better fuel milage than the 285s. They should perform great depending on what brand you get. Michelin makes a great tire. If your doing serious towing you're better off getting a E rated or 10 ply tire even though 8 plys are fine. Thats all i've ever used.

I agree but there are plenty of guys on here that tow heavy with 285's (i can't speak from experience). The search function will give you hours of reading if you have the time! Where abouts are you located in case you want to give up the 285's?

 

[66flh]

I've towed backhoes(around 16,000lb.total) with the 35's on.No problem.I think you'll be fine with 285's.

 

[gsc1]

I'm in Knoxville Tennessee.

 

[Rocky Hock Rebel]

All i've ever had was 285s and they do great for towing. I wouldn't worry bout it unless you just want to drop down a size.

 

[demp223]

my buddy pulls his 38 ft 5er with his 2500 lly 4x4 cc sb with 285's.He has them mounted on 16x8 rims however which squares out mid section more inline with tire patch resulting in more stable tire.

 

[mountainman]

Changing from OEM 245's to 285's is a change of 7.8%. What do you suppose this does to your rearend ratio?

 

[gsc1]

That what I'm wondering, would it lower or raise the gearing? What about when the transmission changes gears, would that also change?

 

[mountainman]

Using the figures from http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html I come up with the following change in rearend ratio. 410.1 with 285's will result in a ratio of 371.1.

 

[SCQTT]

3500HD SRW come with 7.0x16 wheels and 265/75x16 from the factory. They look much better while still looking stock.