Okay I just got my 2003 2500 quad last week. Holy crap do I love this truck!!! So much better than my 12V. I'm about to buy tons of stuff for it and the first thing is some new wheels&tires. I'm gonna go with Mickey Thompsen's Beadlock II's and 33x12.5-17" ATZ's, I really want 35's. I used to have 33's on my Toyota, how can I put them on this beast!!! Well, maybe the fact that I pull around a 14,000lb hydroseeder. My 96' 2500 had 285's that measured 32" and that thing pulled and handled fine. My 03' has more than double the power of that truck. But I know 35's and that much weight is probably a very bad idea, 33's was pushing it. &... I was either gonna get 2.5" springs or spacers. Thoughts?

 

It all depends on what you plan to get out of your tranny.. Or better yet what you plan to put into it. I tow a 12K load around all the time with my truck. Its on 34.5 inch tires but my tranny is built. The bigger the tire the more stress it will put on the trans.

 

I've grossed 23K+ with my Toyo M/T 37s and they do great. They're 10 ply with a weight rating of around 4,000 per tire.

I find myself needing the added ground clearance and traction of the 37s frequently, and they work out really well.

--Eric

 

Okay, my 96' has georends triple disc TC and valve body. This truck just had the tranny rebuilt before I bought it and it shifts and seems much tighter than my 96'. What do you suggest I do to my tranny? When ever I tow heavy I try to take it pretty easy. I'm more worried about braking and having the trucks center of gravity up too high. But if you towing with 37's, hmm. What about gearing? I'd love to get an exhaust brake, that would help things.
I've seen trucks with 35's without a lift and it looks pretty normal almost. Just thought I was crazy, well I am talking to you guys though. My dad and grandfather is gonna think I'm stupid, you know.

 

Nothing wrong with 35's for heavy loads as long as they're E rated like my Vortracs, there's not many around for 17" wheels though, Toyo MT's are another one.

 

The most important thing that you want to consider is your gearing. Sure you can tow anything with larger tires, but your clutch, transmission, and engine will wear much faster. In addition, your engine will not operate as efficiently when it is out of its optimal powerband.

With larger tires, you want to put your engine back into its optimal powerband. To do this, use the following formula:

(new tire size/old tire size) X stock gear ratio = new gear ratio.

(35/31) X 3.73 = 4.21

Since there is not a 4.21 ratio, you would go to the next ratio up or 4.56. Also, if you ever decide to go to a larger tire size like 37", you will still be OK.

 

I 've towed 10,000lb trailer with 35's for over 100k, never had a problem. I'm going to go with 37's next, maybe I'm the crazy one...

 

It will tow fine. Not worth regearing for 35" unless your pulling very heavy, and then you shouldn't be running any bigger then stock tires. I've towed a 14k trailer just fine with 37", but a standard is a lot better suited then a auto. Wouldn't do it everyday but it's so rare i'm not worried, still pulls just fine though.

 

I tow 10k with 35's and have no problems at all. I've got a long 7% hill here and it makes it up just fine, but don't plan on setting any speed records doing it.

 

I've pulled my Haulmark with a Jeep, dirtbikes, a bunch of camping stuff (beer), and had four people in the truck, just fine with my 315's. That's only grossing about 16-17000; not much for our trucks. It did fine, but I want some of the power/RPM back so I'm stepping down to 285's soon.

P.S. It also got 19.5 MPG unloaded cruising to Western Nebraska a couple weeks ago.

 

Okay I've decided on Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ 35"x12.5 R18 with Classic Lock wheels. I just got to hit "buy and its done. I just read the last post saying he's downsizing because he lisses the rpm/power. Oh, man!!! I just got this truck a week ago and its got to have at least 500hp. I friggin love the power, I can't keep off the smoke. If I have 35's on, its gonna look cool but is it worth it? jeezus, I was all set to buy the 35's now I'm second guessing it again. I guess I could get gears later, right? right? I love the accelaration!!! Good bye Accelaration. I guess it will come back in the winter when I put the stock wheels back on. What If I just go 33's, Its very rational, I'm a family man, I don't need 35's... If I get 33's I'll be wishing I had those **** 35's! Whose got 35's and how much slower is your truck? I figure the 18's will make it handle just as good as stock...Maybe? HELP!!! What should I do?

 

LOLOL!!!! I thought I was bad!!!!! You're Toast!!!!!!

 

Heck, I took my 40's off and put 35's on to tow the other day only because the back of the boat was about to drag the ground. These trucks are meant to tow. I thought about lifting the trailer and towing with the 40's, I just didn't want to back 40yards into the water just to lauch the boat cuz the trailer was too high! hahaha

 

If you think you have 500 HP it's not that big a deal going to 35's. If you were 100% stock you'd regret 35's maybe, but with the power you have it won't be as big a deal, your truck will still have lotsa power and look so much better with 35's and a leveling kit (like mine)!

 

I towed (see pic) with 4" lift and 35". Not really an issue. Was a little squishy in the back end but did ok. I swapped out 3.73 for 4.10 when I did the tire upgrade to keep the torque up going down to pavement. Even pulled this setup with load of trailers from FL (grossed 26.5k lbs) and she pulled without having to downshift even through hills in VA.

Pulling 24' Thule enclosed with 7'6" clear inside (its a high trailer) was white knuckles whenever it got windy out. I hated it!!!!!

So...goosenecks weren't an issue but large bumper pulled trailers that get tossed around by high winds were an issue on the highway.

I since removed the lift kit and 35" tires and converted to stock size 19.5" dually setup and now the 24' enclosed trailer pulls like its not back there even on windy days.

Bottom line --- going with big fat tires with lots of sidewall flex won't be as good then stock tires but it will probably work. All up to you and what you are willing to give up. Just make sure you don't exceed the tires loading as some larger tires have less capacity.