Ok My family and I ask a lot for my little 2009 Dakota 3.7l V6 45,000 miles. I plan to set it up for towing. Im looking at Cooper AT3 all terrain 10 ply
I understand the stock tire is 265/65/R17. I would like to swap for plus 1 . So the new size 265/70/R17 same foot print just a little taller.

I need a great tire for towing that has a great longevity. Ton of tires to choose from off of www.simpletire.com

 

How much weight are you planning on towing? Going to a larger tire is going to lower your effective gear ratio.... I.E. The engine will have to work harder to get the weight moving.....

 

Camper is 21 Feet. 3500lb
Should I go smaller on the tire

 

I think your max towing weight is 4500 lbs? Should be ok.....

Got your email, but, can't respond back due to your privacy settings.

In any event, since you are so close, the invite is still open, stop by if ya want. Gonna be working a BUNCH the next two weeks though...... Life got interesting at work.

 

Plus 1 size may rub, so stick to 265/65/17.

 

Strongly suggest staying with stock tire size. There is so little clearance between the tire and the frame on the front tires when turn-locked, that a larger tire will rub. That is if you are staying with 265 width. If you go narrow, 245, then yes you can bump up size a bit.

On the load rating of the tire, really depends on the weight of the trailer on the hitch and how much extra stuff you put in the box. I absolutely hate "P" rated tires on a truck unless that truck is just being used as a car. It sounds like you do use your truck as a truck whenever you can. So, go with a LT rated tire. Keep it simple. Look for LT. Ignore the number of plys information, getting into ply by ply comparisons is only relevant if your are running a 85,000 lb 16 wheel rig.

Next, the "what tire" question. There are so many tire choices it is mind boggling. Are you on paved roads always, get a standard tire. Are you on dirt/gravel 30% or more of the time, get an AT tire. Are you on gravel/dirt/mud 80% of the time, get a MT (lug mud) tire.

I've been through quite a few tires and trucks over the years. So have had the benefit of ridding on quite a few different brands and tire models. I have certainly developed preferences, and leveraging your opening post, if it helps at all, ... yes my personal trucks currently ride on either Cooper AT3 (50/50 paved/dirt) or the Michelin AT2 (80/20 paved/dirt). I also separately run dedicated studded snow tires in winter. If you want a fantastic all round all surface does everything goes anywhere year round tire, my favourite is the Hankook RF10. Been through 3 full sets of those too.

This could easily turn into a multipage tire debate. Perhaps the best suggestion is: look for LT tire in stock size, look for HT/AT/MT tire based on your use, deal with your recommended local tire shop and select a well rated tire from the products they offer and will support after the sale (eg warranty defects, leaks, flats, rotations, balancing, etc)

 

Not much off roading other then getting to are camping site. so 90 percent is hwy 10 percent off road, Love the Michigan Snow.

 

Michelin LTX <-----