Looking for opinions on using E rated tires on a 1500 truck.

My truck is a 2008 Dodge 1500 QC SB 4x4 Hemi. I currently have the 20" wheels with 33" tall tires rated at 2,601 lbs. I am looking to downsize the tires/wheels to 17" with a 265/70 r17 tire at 31.6" tall (this tire size is standard on Dodge 4x4 1500). The standard rated 17" is 2,535 lbs. The E rated 17" is 3,000 lbs. My only reason for going to E rated would be increased sidewall stiffness to help prevent sway and boating while towing. But, my 2008 also has the Tire Pressure Monitoring System in the wheels. How will this affect me? (44 psi vs. 80 psi)

Also, my other motive for the wheel/tire switch is that I would gain a mechanical advantage equivalent to changing my 3.92 gears to 4.10 gears (difference in tire diameter, 33" vs. 31.6")

Any thoughts?

 

I always got E rated tires for the stiffer sidewall on my past owned 1500 Rams. My 2500 came with them. I recomend them for anyone going off road.

 

My last truck was a 91 D250 Cummins engine. Standard were E rated tires.
When I put on new skins I went with D rated.
Big improvement in ride with the D rated tires.
But I didn't tow anything or go offroad.

 

You will probably need to have the PCM recalibrated for the higher pressures. Whick will mean that your spare must be in the same pressure range as well.

 

I use “E” tires on my 1500. The truck is towing half of the time or more. Yes, I think it helps. Mine are 3,000 lbs each too! I am running stock size 245/70X17 and they have worked very well.

Good luck on the TPM system. I am glad I don’t have it.

You can do the math on the gears and tire sizes to figure where you need to be.