Hey guys

I am moving to Denver soon and need to get some tires that are better in the snow, especially since I have a 2wd.

I have it narrowed down to the Cooper Zeon LTZ's (due to the reviews and price), however I am unsure on what size would suit me best. Since I have never lived in snowy weather before, would it be better to have the stock size 275/60R20, or are the 285/50R20's better for winter driving?

Honestly, Im not even sure if the 285's fit on the Ram, so help with that would be great too

The only thing I know for sure is that you do not want a wider tire. Taller is okay, but not wider. Anything you can let me know about the actual size of the tire would be awesome.

Thanks

 

Can't really help you on the choice of size or tire, I've had seven trucks in my life and all have been 4x4s. I can tell you, and I just suggested this in another post here a couple of days ago, that the single best thing I think you can do is put a couple of bags of sand over the rear axle, just inside the tire well humps or right behind them. A couple of 40 lb. bags on each side should do it. It's the norm where I grew up in upstate N.Y. and I've even done it with my 4x4's. Put 'em in heavy duty plastic bags to keep the paper bags they come in from deteriorating from the wet snow and making a mess in the bed. You can even crack them open and use the sand to get traction if you get stuck.

Never mind, I just looked for that post and saw that you not only read it, but responded. Oh well, I needed the typing practice...

 

Haha, thanks Hammer.... I wasnt going to say anything

As far as the sand bags, I plan on getting some of those tubes you can fill with sand.... But after hearing what you said about the garbage bags, that would work too. We'll see

 

The 285 is the width of the tire at the widest point in millimeters, so a 285 tire is wider than a 275 tire. 285mm is 11.22" wide, and 275mm is 10.83" wide. Also, the 50 or 60 gives the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width, so a 285mm(11.22") tire that has a 50 ratio has a sidewall height of 5.61". With a 20" rim, that gives a tire height of 5.61+5.61+20=31.22".

The 275/60R20 has a tire height of 33" and a width of 10.83". So the 285/50R20 is shorter and wider. To get a narrower tire that is the same height, you would need to get a 255/65R20 or a 235/70R20, if they actually make either one of those!

 

Ahh... I see now dreman. Thanks for the advice. Looks like I will be sticking with the stock 275/60

 

stay with stock size tires ! all weather tire's work fine denver don't get that much snow and when they do they keep the road's very well plowed . i lived 50 mile north of denver and drove there 5 days a week for 9 years ! had 4x4 but never used it ! sometimes it will get you in trouble on the hiway !! just SLOW DOWN and be safe >> enjoy colorado

 

Redram,
thanks for the input. That is what I have heard from a few people as well, as far as Denver keeping the roads plowed. Its good to hear you didnt use 4wd that much, I have been freaking out since I only have 2wd. I just plan to sandbag like no other!

 

Sell it and get a 4X4!! I live in Colorado (28years) and would never own a 2WD truck here due to the snow we get! And Yes Denver gets snow! Winter before last Denver got 48 inches in a 3 day period! And some of the side streets didn't get plowed for 2-3 weeks! And there are some nights that get to -20 and in the morning the roads are solid ICE! So if you are going to risk a 2WD then go with some Cooper studded tires and steel wheels for the winter and some summer tires on the wheels you have now!

 

or get some tire chains if you need 4x4 you should be OFF ROAD as were most of the trucks on I 25 were in the ditch !! going way to fast then can't stop !! 4x4 might get you out of the ditch but is only good for going forward slowly NOT STOPING !!! born & raised in colorado by the way

 

Where about? Some of us are planning a trip to Wheeler Lake if you are interested?