I moved out into a rural area where I need some traction. It seems there's nothing available in my current tire size which is 255/60R17. Some tire web site said the default for that model was 255/55R17. In neither size could I find anything other than snow tires and that was only in the 60.
The door sticker says 17x9 rims and talks about load with p225/60R17. I did not buy the truck new so I'm not sure what used to be on it. It's my understanding that the rim size isn't what really determines how many tire sizes will fit, but rather the model of the vehicle.
So my question is whether anyone else has found an AT or semi-mud tire that might fit,
or can tell me what sizes I can look for in addition to the ones above. I don't need the tires
to be as wide as they are, but I do like wide.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....67SR7DESTATOWL

If you go to "other sizes" there's a whole pile of R17 tires. Your 255/60R17 are 29.0" tall. The P245/65R17 is 29.53" tall and P255/65R17 is 30.0"

 

That's really the question; whether there are sizes that will fit this truck. Seems it's the sidewall dimension in combination with the width that will determine the height, but I was hoping to run into a forum member who already had found an AT tire that fits.
Thanks.

 

I googled enough to find that the maximum comfortable height is about what I have now, 255/60R17. At least at the 60, there are some snow tires available. I have read a couple of forum posts that say that snow tires are not bad on mud or dirt. Not as good as AT or mud tire, but not bad. Also said that they will probably wear heavily on dry payment. I'm thinking they are the best possibility I have for the dirt/mud road I now live on and getting around on my 10 acres if needed. I work from home and I don't trust this aged truck to drive long distances, so I don't drive it very far. So, I'm thinking snow tires are my best and only bet at this point. I guess the only thing I don't know is if there might be a 235/60 or 65 that would fit and also be an AT. Would they look stupid on 17x9 rims? On the other hand, snows all around on a 2WD low rider are probably going to look goofy to begin with.
I'm considering COOPER DISCOVERER M-S or possibly Nexen Winguard SUV and I'm leaning toward the Cooper. Thoughts? Anyone own these?

thx.

 

A 235 will be hard if not near impossible to seat on a 9" (228) wide rim and the sidewall will be dead straight. Also, if you will be driving in snow, you want a wider tire so that you have a larger footprint - snowshoe - so that you don't sink in. The 245/65 shouldn't make your speedometer be too far off. You might look for a 255/65 or 265/55 but i'm not sure such a ratio exists. I have 265/70-16 destination A/T's on the factory 16x8 wheels and I've gotten out of mud holes that would have swallowed ATV's…although my spool is to thank for that as well.

 

I won't be seeing snow any time soon. Even though I won't be driving the truck much on the highway, or at least not for distance, I'm still queezy about buying a snow tire in Florida. I was hoping someone would chime in and say they've done that and it worked great, or don't do it ; they'll melt.
I do see AT tires available for 255/65R16. Are there cheap 16" stock wheels I might be able to pick up that will work on this truck?
I just found this web site - http://www.wheel-size.com/size/dodge/dakota-rt/2001/
I question whether the 265/70R16 will fit on this truck. It would be a full 1 1/2" taller. So, where do I get a set of cheap Dodge 16 inch
wheels in this bolt pattern? I think 255/65R16 would work for me.

Dodge Dakota R/T 2001, unspecified
Tire Rim Bolt pattern THD CB
215/75 R15 7x15 ET22 6x114.3 N/A
235/75 R15 7.5x15 ET22 6x114.3 N/A
255/65 R15 8x15 ET22 6x114.3 N/A
255/65 R16 8x16 ET22 6x114.3 N/A
265/70 R16 8.5x16 ET22 6x114.3 N/A

 

Even on ebay the 16x8 Dodge rims are expensive, so that's out. It appears my wheels are worth more than my truck.
Guess I have to make a decision whether to go with 255/60R17 snows or 255/60R17 all season.

 

The Cooper snows mentioned above were a typo at the seller. They also don't come in a 255/60R17.
I decided to buy all season General Grabber UHP 255/60R17. $134/ea. on Amazon and free shipping with Prime. Great reviews. I wish I could have gotten an AT tire, but at least these are rated very good in rain, which is another big thing I was interested in.