Identifying the most appropriate tires and tires that fit Ram 1500 trucks is a huge difference in the way your truck handles, rides and performs in various conditions. The type of tires you use influences not only the fuel economy and the towing capacity, but it also determines how well you will cope in the rain and snow, as well as off-road conditions.

You may be commuting to work every day, transporting trailers on weekends, or riding the trails on a regular basis, the appropriate rubber will keep you safe and will ensure you achieve maximum capability out of your Ram. We can deconstruct what tires really work out with the owners of Ram.

Why Ram 1500 Tires Is Important Than You think.

The only thing of your truck that touches the road is tires. Poor tires do not make your Ram any safer regardless of how good the rest of your car is.

The weight (5,000-6,000 lbs), and towing ability (up to 12,750 lbs) of the Ram 1500 require tires that are designed to support heavy loads. Low cost tires wear quickly, are hard to control and may break when you are hauling.

What is so Special in the Tire Selection in Ram 1500.

There are special requirements of your Ram that are not shared with lighter vehicles:

Towing and payload load rating requirements.
Those with bigger tires (usually 17″-22″ wheels).
TPMS congruity to factory sensors.
Rates of highway towing.
Capacity, in accordance with your truck GVWR.
Ride that does not pummel you on long rides.

The size of tires in factories differs all over the place depending on the trim level. A foundation Tradesman uses alternate rubber than a lifted Rebel or luxury Limited.

Types of Tires for Ram 1500 Trucks

The categories of tires are used differently. Choosing the wrong type will lead to losing performance where you will need it the most.

All-Terrain Tires

All-terrain tires compromise between off-road and highway capabilities. They are the most used among the Ram owners who are doing a little of it all.

The reason all-terrains are suitable to most people:
Aggressive cleans gravel, light mud and dirt.
Good road etiquette with reasonable road noise.
Good wet and dry traction on pavement.
Long tread life compared to specific off-road tires.
Snowflake rated options of three-peak mountains.

The good all-terrains should be expected between 40,000 and 60,000 miles. They are priced at 150-300 dollars per tire based on the size and the brand.

Highway Terrain Tires

Highway tires (also known as H/T or touring tires) are more comfortable, more fuel-saving and have a longer tread life. They are constructed on Rams that hardly see the pavement.

Highway tire advantages:
Minimized road noise during the ride

Smooth ride with minimum road noise.
Optimum tire type in terms of fuel economy.
Longest tread life (60,000-80,000 miles)
Superior wet weather grip.
Smooth, car-like ride quality

They are excellent in everyday drivers and highway towing, but fail in the snow and cannot be used in the actual off-road.

Mud-Terrain Tires

Mud-terrain tires have aggressive tread blocks and deep voids to be used in serious off-road. Most Ram owners do not need them but those who are serious trail rigs must have them.

M/T tire characteristics:
Very high off-road traction in mud, rocks and sand.
Cleaning herself, mud sheds the tread.
Punctures on sidewalls are resisted by reinforced sidewalls.
Lifted trucks available in larger sizes.
There are three-peak winter rated options.

The downsides? They are loud on highways, they travel faster (30000 miles to 40000 miles), they kill fuel economy and they are rougher compared to other types.

All-Season vs Winter Tires

All-season tires are light snow tires but not winter tires. In places where there are frequent snows, winter tires are a significant safety benefit.

Winter tire benefits:
Special rubber is flexible at temperatures below 45degF.
Greater snow and ice tread with deeper sipes.
Extremely reduced stopping distances during winter.
Increased control on slip roads.

The majority of Ram owners drive all year round or change to winter tires during the rough months. Winter tires that are devoted normally have a lifespan of 3-4 seasons.

Best All Terrain Tires Ram 1500.

All-terrains are the bestselling tires of Ram since they can be used in different ways. Here are the top performers.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

It is not a surprise that the BFGoodrich KO2 is by far the most popular Ram tire. It offers a combination of on and off-road.

KO2 highlights:
Verified tread compound has a life span of 50,000 and above miles.
Winter snowflake on three peaks mountain rated.
Hard sidewalls are impervious to cuts and puncture.
Comes in dozens of flavors of Rams.
And a rather quiet aggressive tire.

Prices range between $ 200 and 350 per tire depending on their size. They are the standard that other all-terrains are measured by.

Goodyear Duratrac RT Wrangler.

Goodyear Duratrac RT tires are more aggressive compared to the regular all-terrains. They are more or less a combination of the A/T and M/T models.

Duratrac strengths:
Good snow and ice grip 3PMSF rating.
Self-washing tread is excellent in mud.
Good tread life around 50,000 miles
It is available with raised white or black letters.
Powerful sidewalls in off-roading with aired-down.

They are noisier than KO2s on the highway, but are better when the road is loose. Pricing runs $180-$320 per tire.

Falken Wildpeak AT3W

The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a high performance at a middle-end price. They are sleepers and they perform better than tires that are much more expensive.

Wildpeak advantages:
Violent glances and civic decency.
65,000-mile tread warranty (class leader)
Great snow traction three peak winter rated.
Towing is enhanced by heat diffuser technology.
Costs $150-$280 per tire (great value)

These punch way out of their weight bracket. Numerous owners of Rams abandon big brands and never look back.

Nitto Ridge Grappler

The tires made by Nitto Ridge Grappler have a hybrid tread design. The exterior blocks are ferocious whereas the interior remains docile to highway comfort.

Ridge Grappler features:
Variable pitch tread suppresses road noise.
Strengthened shoulder grooves to off-road traction.
50,000 mile limited tread wear warranty.
Appears much ruder than it reads.
Offering bigger sizes on lifted Rams.

They are $180-350 according to size and provide a decent compromise between highway and trail performance.

Toyo Open Country AT III

The Toyo Open Country AT III is a new product that has given an enhancement to the already good AT II model. They are worth taking into account in case you would like to live long.

AT III improvements:
Improved tread compound to improve wear.
65,000-mile warranty on most sizes
rated snowflake on three-peak mountains.
Superior wet traction and heavy sipes.
Unobtrusive highway etiquette of an all-terrain.

Pricing sits around $170-$300 per tire. They are a good option among the Ram owners who value longevity.

Best Highway Tires for Ram 1500

When your Ram spends 95 percent of the time on pavement highway tires provide a higher level of comfort, economy, and life than all-terrains.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

The gold standard tires used on highway Ram are Michelin Defender LTX tires. They are costly but durable and they ride like a luxury sedan.

Defender strengths:
70,000-mile tread warranty (Certain sizes 80,000)
Outstanding wet conditions traction.
Very silent and smooth ride.
Super highway snow performance tire.
Top-tier fuel economy

Expect $200-$350 per tire. They are worth it when you are doing serious highway miles a year.

Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus.

Bridgestone Alenza Plus has a high level of comfort and has a decent all-season performance. They are popular luxury Ram trims.

Alenza features:
Ultra-smooth ride quality
80,000-mile treadwear warranty
Excellent handling in rain
Little rolling resistance enhances MPG.
Towing reinforced construction.

These cost between $180 and 320 each tire, and they are very useful in everyday driving and highway towing.

Goodyear Wrangler SRA

Goodyear Wrangler SRA is included as OEM on numerous Rams. They are reasonable to replace them when you were fond of the originals.

SRA characteristics:
Pickup truck specific.
Smooth highway driving with less vibration.
Normal tread life at 50,000-60,000 miles.
Available in factory sizes
Affordable at $140-$250 per tire

They are hard-core road wheels with no outstanding characteristics but neither any significant failures.

Continental TerrainContact H/T.

Continental TerrainContact H/T tires offer European ride and wet road grip. They are underestimated alternatives on pavement oriented Rams.

TerrainContact benefits:
Excellent wet and dry braking.
Fancy-free highway driving.
Traction Grooves+ technologies enhance snow performance.
65,000-mile limited warranty
Good value at $160-$280 per tire

At cheaper prices, Continental quality competes with Michelin. They are excellent in Rams that require all-season confident traction.

Best Winter Tires for Ram 1500

Provided that you have to cope with severe winter conditions, special snow tires will change the safety and performance of your Ram during cold months.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

The standard of winter tires is Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tires. They are better in ice and snow than any all-season or all-terrain.

Blizzak advantages:
Slows down quite suddenly on ice.
Multi-cell compound bites packed snow.
Assured performance in snowy weather.
It is specifically designed to work with trucks and SUVs.
Costs $160-$280 per tire

Change these over when the temperatures are below 45 deg F regularly and you will question yourself how you could drive without this.

Michelin X-Ice Snow

Michelin X-Ice Snow tires offer high performance in winter at unexpected durability as a high-performance snow tire.

X-Ice features:
Superior ice grip using Flex-Ice 2.0 compound.
Noisier than the majority of winter tires.
Winter tire (4-5 seasons) tread life is good.
Maintains grip as they wear
Pricing around $170-$300 per tire

These are excellent when you want to have winter capability but still do a little highway driving even in the cold months.

Goodyear Wintercommand Ultra.

The Goodyear Wintercommand Ultra is a deep snow and ice tire with reasonable highway courtesy of a winter tire.

Wintercommand strengths:
Snow is cleared by an aggressive directional tread.
V-TRED tread design improves the ice grip.
ActiveGrip technology is a condition-adaptive technology.
Most Rams sizes are available.
Costs $150-$260 per tire

They are a good option to Ram owners in snow belt regions who require the highest winter traction.

Tire Size Guide for Ram 1500

The size of tires mounted on the factory is very different among Ram 1500 trim levels and years. You must be aware of what suits your particular truck.

Common Factory Sizes

The following are common tire sizes of Ram 1500 by trim:

Tradesman/Express: 245/70R17, 265/70R17
Big Horn/Lone Star: 275/60R20, 275/55R20
Rebel: 285/70R17, 275/65R18
Laramie: 275/60R20, 285/45R22
Limited/Longhorn: 275/55R22, 285/45R22

There is always a driver door jamb sticker that you have to check to make sure you are just the right size. That’s your factory spec.

Plus Sizing and Oversizing

Most of the Ram owners change to bigger tires as a cosmetic and performance add-on. Common upsizes include:

Without lift (usually fits):
275/65R18 (33″ tall)
285/70R17 (33″ tall)

With 2″ leveling kit:
285/75R17 (33.8″ tall)
295/70R18 (34.3″ tall)

With 4″ lift:
305/70R18 (35″ tall)
35×12.50R17 (35″ tall)

The larger tires have an impact on speedometer, fuel consumption, and gearing. Ensure that they are not rubbing when purchasing.

Load Index and Speed Rating

Your Ram should have tires with its weight. Test the load index (figure prior to the letter speed).

Minimum index requirement of the load:
Ram 1500: Load Index 115 or more (2,679 lbs per tire)
Heavy towing: Load Index 120+(3,086 lbs per tire)

Speed ratings are not as important unless you are towed at highway speeds on a regular basis. Look for S (112 mph) or T (118 mph) minimum.

The Secret of Finding the Most Suitable tires on your Ram.

Choosing tires involves finding the appropriate rubber to your driving style, weather, and budget.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Respond to the following questions with a yes or no answer:

Where do you drive?
90%+ highway = Highway tires
Combination of pavement and dirt = All-terrain tires.
Extreme off-roading = Mud-terrain tires.

What’s your climate?
Light annual temperatures = All season tires.
Snowy cold winters = Winter or 3PMSF rated tires.
Hot and dry = Pay attention to heat resistance.

How do you use your Ram?
Daily commuter= Focus on comfort and durability.
Work truck = Emphasize on load rating and durability.
Weekend warrior = Supportability with reality.

What’s your budget?
$600-$800 set = Quality budget tires
$800-$1,200 set = Mid-range performance
Set of 1,200 and above = high quality tires and long warranty.

Be realistic of what you really need. The majority of owners of Ram overestimate the off-road performance they require.

Treadwear Warranties Explained.

Treadwear warranties appear awesome but have a small print. They are prorated, that is, you will be given partial credit on new tires.

How warranties work:
60,000-mile warranty tire wears at 30,000 miles.
You receive half credit (30k/ 60k) on replacements.
Should keep good inflation and rotational records.
There are brands that are easier to do business with.

The BFGoodrich and Michelin are the ones with the best warranty reputation. Claims are not easy to make in a budget brand.

Tire Maintenance and Tire Rotation.

Correct rotation improves life of tires to a great extent. Ram 1500s require patterns on the basis of the drive train.

Rotation patterns:
4WD/AWD: Cross, in front to rear.
2WD: Modified cross pattern
Directional tires: Front right rear right only.

Rotate every 5,000-7,000 miles. Monthly check pressure (cold tires). Correct inflation enhances life, managing and fuel economy.

Budget vs Premium Tires: What is worth it?

Tire prices vary wildly. Knowing what you are spending money on is a smart way of making choices.

Budget Tire Brands ($100-$150 per tire)

General Tire, Kumho and Cooper are brands of budget tires that have good performance but at a cheaper price.

Budget tire realities:
Reduced lifetime (30,000-40,000 miles average)
Noisier on highways
Less exquisite treatment and ease.
Sufficient performance in the basic needs.
Great selection of cars sold within a short time.

They are okay provided that you cover less than 10,000 miles per year or intend to sell your Ram in several years.

Mid-Range Options ($150-$250 per tire)

Falken, Toyo, Nitto and others offer mid-range tires that provide decent performance without having a premium tag.

Mid-range value:
Good tread life (50,000-65,000 miles)
Decent performance under all circumstances.
Comfort and Reasonable road noise.
Strong warranties
Best value to the majority of the Ram owners.

This level provides the sweet zone of potential and expenses. Not losing much as compared to quality tires.

Premium Tires ($200-$350+ per tire)

Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone and Goodyear premium tires are more expensive, but in many cases worth it.

Premium advantages:
Longest tread life (60,000-80,000 miles)
Optimal performance under any circumstances.
A horse, the quietest, a ride.
Industry-leading warranties
In most instances better fuel economy.

With 15,000+ miles of yearly driving, your Ram is long term, and premiums are frequently less expensive per mile than inexpensive tires.

How to install New Tires on your Ram 1500.

It is equally important to get tires mounted and balanced correctly as it is to buy tires.

Where to Buy Ram Tires

There are a number of ways to buy tires:

Discount Tire / America’s Tire:
Megabrand and competitive prices.
Excellent customer service
Free rotation and repairs
Easy out of them in case you do not like them.

Costco:
Big prices on big brands.
Has lifetime rotation and balancing.
Road hazard warranty was provided.
They are limited in their choice but the stock they carry is good.

Local tire shops:
Support small businesses
Often flexible on pricing
Can source hard-to-find sizes
There is wide variation in quality of service.

Online (Tire Rack, Amazon):
Often cheapest prices
Ship to installer of your preference
Great selection and reviews
Needs to be installed separately.

Mounting, balancing, TPMS service, and disposal charges will cost between 15 and 30 dollars on top of tire fees.

TPMS Considerations

The tire pressure monitoring system on your Ram requires installation when changing tires. Sensors may break or require to be reprogrammed.

TPMS tips:
The life of sensors is normally 7-10 years.
Costs replacement is 40-80 per sensor.
Sensors can be tested in shops before installation.
Other aftermarket wheels need new sensors.
TPMS must be reprogrammed every time tires are changed.

Don’t neglect TPMS service- it is a safety system, which alerts about dangerous underinflation.

Break-In Period

New tires require 500 miles to break in. The initial few hundred miles are not what it will be in the long run.

Break-in guidelines:
Do not use hard braking and acceleration.
Take turns gently initially
First week, do not drag heavy loads.
Check tire pressure.
Traction increases because of the removal of mold release.

All-terrains and mud-terrains are more difficult to break in than highway tires. Give them time to settle.

How to keep Your Ram Tires as Long as possible.

Tire life is doubled by proper care. Such practices will save hundreds of dollars.

Pressure Checks

Everything is influenced by tire pressure such as handling and fuel economy. Majority of Rams run 35-38 PSI cold, however, verify your door sticker.

Pressure maintenance:
Check monthly minimum
Check before long trips
Use quality digital gauge
Check when cold (less than 1 mile driven)
Add 3-5 PSI when towing heavy

Underinflation wears edges. Centers wear out through overinflation. Both reduce life and safety.

Alignment Matters

Banging into potholes, curbs, and off-road obstructions knock alignment out of spec. Bad alignment kills tires in a short time.

Alignment symptoms:
Pulling to one side
Uneven wear patterns
Steering wheel off-center
Squealing on turns

Have alignment tested once every year or following hard hits. It is priced at between 80-150 but saves far much in tires.

Balancing and Rotation

Balancing of the wheels helps in eliminating vibration and uneven wear. The rotation provides the even wear of all four tires.

Maintenance schedule:
Rotate every 5,000-7,000 miles
Balance when you rotate
Balancing when you are vibrating.
Increased in the case of regular off-roading.

Free rotation is provided in most tire shops in case you purchased tires at these shops. Take advantage of it.

Seasonal Tire Strategies

Depending on where you dwell seasonal tire swaps or not depend on you.

Snow Belt Regions

In case of frequent snow and ice, winter tires mounted on different wheels are enormous safety advantageous.

Winter tire strategy:
Mount winters on inexpensive steel.
Change when temperatures remain less than 45degF.
Store all-season/summer tires.
Exchange in spring with the warmer weather.
More expensive initially but the two sets have a longer life.

Ram owners have lots of all-terrains that are used during summer and replaced with winter tires between November and March.

All-Season Everywhere Else

In the case of mild climates and no severe winters, the all-season or all-terrain tires are good in any season.

Year-round tire picks:
Snowflake of all-terrains rated three-peak mountain.
Highway tires of superior quality all year round.
Concentrate on wet weather traction.
Replace before tread hits 4/32″

You miss the optimum performance of special tires but achieve convenience and reduced total expenses.

How to deal with Common Ram Tire Problems.

Good tires also have problems. These are the troubles to deal with.

Uneven Wear Patterns

There are wear patterns that point to certain issues:

Edge wear (both edges):
Edges in contact more caused by underinflation.
Remedy: Keep the correct pressure.

Center wear:
Inflation that results in center load.
Fix: Reduce pressure to spec

One-sided wear:
Alignment out of spec
Fix: Get alignment done ASAP

Cupping/scalloping:
Suspension or balance problems are worn.
Fix: Check shocks and rebalance.

Wear patterns of tires are identified at the initial stage before they are destroyed. Visual inspection monthly aids.

Vibration Issues

Balance issues or broken tires are likely to be caused by vibration at highway speeds.

Troubleshooting vibration:
Rebalance all four tires
Check for bulges or damage
Check lug nuts have been properly torqued.
Test drive after each fix

In other cases, tires get problems that cannot be found with inner damage. Good shops road-force to locate these.

Tire Damage and Repairs

Punctures less than 1/4 in the tread can be repaired in most cases safely. The damage to the sidewalls has to be replaced.

Repair guidelines:
Only repair tread punctures
Never repair sidewalls
Limit repairs to 2-3 per tire
Wear good plug-patch combinations (not plugs only)
Take off tires with cord showing.

Never save money on tires when they are in bad condition, blow-outs on highways are costly and risky.

Conclusion

The selection of the best tires in Ram 1500 trucks all depends on the matching of the tires type and quality according to the use of the truck. All-terrain tires are very useful to the majority of Ram users who use a combination of pavements and dirt, and highway tires are more comfortable and durable to commuters.

Premium tires such as Michelin, BFGoodrich and Bridgestone are more expensive to purchase but in many cases, they provide lower cost per mile due to their extended life and warranties. Falken, Toyo and Nitto have good mid-range tires that are very valuable but not significant in compromises.

Maintenance is good–turning tires regularly, inflating them, checking their alignment every now and then will extend tire life twice. Are you going to take your adventures on aggressive all-terrain tires on the weekend or just use them on the highway and commute every day, the proper kind of rubber will make your Ram that much more capable and can keep you safe in any condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the duration of tires on a Ram 1500?

A: It depends on the type of tires and driving. Highway tires have a life of 60,000-80,000 miles, all-terrain tires have a life of 40,000-60,000 miles and mud-terrains tires have a life of 30,000-40,000 miles. Correct rotation and inflation prolong life a great deal. Off-roading and heavy towing decrease lifespan.

Question: Is it possible to install larger tires on my Ram 1500 without lifting it?

A: The vast majority of Rams can be used with 33″ tires (such as 285/70R17 or 275/65R18) without any adjustments. There might be a necessity to trim some plastic fender liners. Any larger than 33″ will probably need at least a 2″ leveling kit to allow it to rub during turns and under suspension compression.

Question: Do I require winter tires on my Ram 1500 with 4WD?

A: 4WD assists you in getting but not stopping. When you are driving in snow and ice on a regular basis, special winter tires save a gigantic safety difference over all-seasons. All-terrain 3-peak mountain snowflake are a reasonable compromise that provide reasonable winter performance throughout the year.

Q: What is the difference between tires of Load range C, D and E?

A: Load range is a measure of ply rating and maximum inflation. C-rated tires are used with lighter loads (usually not more than 50 PSI), whereas E-rated tires are used with heavy towing (not more than 80 PSI). Most Ram 1500s run Load Range C or D. Go E-rated only when you frequently top towing capacity as they ride stiffer.

Q: Are you suggesting that I change all four tires simultaneously in my Ram?

A: The best practice is to replace all four as a single unit of handling and traction. When worn on only 2, change both fronts or both rear, depending on which wears out sooner. 4WD Rams must not allow tires of differing tread depth to contact each other, as this causes damage to the drive train.

Q: What makes me know when my Ram tires are worn out?

A: Change tires when depth of treads reaches 4/32 in (3/32 in winter). Penny test–Insert penny in tread with the head of Lincoln down. Where you can see the top of his head the tires are too worn. The wear bars on most tires occur at a depth of 2/32, yet they are replaced before they hit that man.