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What Tire Size Fits a Dodge Ram 2500?

The factory tire size for a Dodge Ram 2500 is usually 265/70R18 or 285/60R20, with Power Wagon trims running 285/70R17. Here are the exact specs by trim, the load rating you need, and how big you can go.

📍 Stock: 265/70R18 or 285/60R20 🛡 Load Range E (10-ply) 🔧 Power Wagon: 285/70R17 ⚠ Max stock fit: ~35 inch

✅ Quick Answer

Most Ram 2500s run 265/70R18 or 285/60R20 from the factory. The tire size for a Dodge Ram 2500 depends on the wheel package: 18-inch wheels typically wear 265/70R18, while 20-inch wheels wear 285/60R20. Power Wagon and off-road trims jump to 285/70R17 (a 33-inch tire). Whatever you fit, stick with Load Range E (10-ply) rubber so the tire can carry the truck's heavy-duty payload and towing loads.

A Ram 2500 is a three-quarter-ton truck, so the tires do real work. The right size keeps your speedometer accurate, your payload rating honest, and your handling predictable when you're loaded or towing. Always cross-check any size against the tire and loading placard on the driver door jamb, because it lists the exact factory size and cold pressures for your specific VIN.

📊 Factory Tire Sizes by Trim and Wheel

Across recent model years (roughly 2014 to present), the Ram 2500 ships with one of a handful of sizes depending on trim and wheel diameter. Here is the breakdown.

Trim / PackageWheelTire SizeApprox. Diameter
Tradesman / Big Horn (18s)18 in265/70R18~32.6 in
Laramie / Limited (20s)20 in285/60R20~33.5 in
Power Wagon17 in285/70R17~32.7 in
Tradesman base (17s)17 in235/80R17~31.8 in
Heavy-duty payload pkg18 inLT265/70R18 LRE~32.6 in

Note the "LT" and Load Range E callouts. Light-truck (LT) tires with a 10-ply equivalent rating are what carry the Ram 2500's heavier axle loads. If you ever see a P-metric or Load Range C tire on a 2500, that is the wrong tire for the job.

🛡 Load Rating: The Spec That Actually Matters

Diameter gets all the attention, but on a heavy-duty truck the load rating is the spec that keeps you safe. A Ram 2500 needs Load Range E tires, typically rated around 3,195 lbs each at 80 psi. That margin matters because a loaded 2500 with a slide-in camper or a heavy trailer tongue can put serious weight on the rear axle.

  • Load Range C (6-ply): Too light. Easy to overload, prone to heat failure under towing.
  • Load Range D (8-ply): Borderline. Acceptable on some lighter configurations but not the safe default.
  • Load Range E (10-ply): The correct factory-equivalent rating for nearly every Ram 2500.
  • Load Range F (12-ply): Overkill for most, but fine if you run max payload often.

If you notice uneven wear, vibration, or a pull after a tire change, it can mimic other front-end problems. Our guide on a steering wheel that shakes while driving walks through how to tell a tire balance issue from a worn component.

🔧 How Big Can You Go?

Plenty of owners want a more aggressive stance. Here is roughly what fits, and what each step requires.

Tire SizeDiameterWhat It Takes
285/70R18~33.7 inBolt-on. Fits stock on most 2500s.
305/70R18 / 35x12.50R18~35 inMinor liner trim, adjust stops. Common max stock fit.
37x12.50R18~37 inLeveling kit or 2-3 in lift to clear full turns.
40x13.50R18~40 in4+ in lift, re-gear, fender work. Heavy build.

The honest ceiling on a stock Ram 2500 is about a 35-inch tire with light trimming. A 37 generally rubs the firewall and front liner on full lock unless you level or lift it. Before you commit, remember that bigger tires throw off the speedometer and effective gearing, which we cover below.

Not sure if a tire issue is the real problem? Get ranked causes, parts, and steps for your exact Ram 2500.
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⚠ Common Mistakes When Sizing Ram 2500 Tires

  • Buying by diameter alone. Two 35-inch tires can have very different load ratings. Match the load range first, then the size.
  • Mixing P-metric and LT tires. Never run a passenger tire on a 2500. It is not rated for the axle loads.
  • Ignoring the speedometer error. Jumping from a 32-inch to a 35-inch tire makes the speedometer read roughly 8 to 10 percent slow. You are going faster than it shows.
  • Skipping the re-gear. Big tires on stock 3.42 or 3.73 gears hurt towing and acceleration. Many owners move to 4.10s after a 37-inch swap.
  • Forgetting the placard. The door-jamb sticker is the factory reference for size, pressure, and load. Trust it over a parts-store lookup.

Tire and gearing changes can also trip warning lights or trigger codes tied to wheel-speed sensors. If a light pops after a tire swap, see how we decode it on DTC C0035 (left front wheel speed sensor).

🧮 How to Confirm the Right Size for Your Truck

  1. Open the driver door and find the tire and loading placard on the jamb. It lists the original tire size and recommended cold pressures.
  2. Read your current sidewall. The size (like 285/60R20) and load range (the letter after the size) are molded right in.
  3. Decide your goal. Stock replacement, mild upsize for looks, or a real off-road build each point to different sizes and supporting mods.
  4. Match the load range to E. For nearly every 2500, this is non-negotiable.
  5. Plan for side effects. Bigger means speedometer recalibration, possible re-gear, and a small mpg hit.

Quoting new tires or alignment afterward? Run the shop estimate through our repair quote checker to see whether the price is fair for your area before you pay.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the factory tire size for a Dodge Ram 2500?
Most modern Ram 2500 trucks ship with 265/70R18 tires on 18-inch wheels or 285/60R20 tires on 20-inch wheels. Power Wagon and off-road trims often run 285/70R17. Always confirm against the door-jamb placard for your exact year and trim.
What size tires come on a Ram 2500 Power Wagon?
The Ram 2500 Power Wagon typically comes with 285/70R17 tires on 17-inch wheels, often a Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac. This is roughly a 33-inch tire, which is why the Power Wagon clears bigger rubber than other 2500 trims from the factory.
What is the biggest tire I can fit on a stock Ram 2500?
On a stock Ram 2500 you can usually fit a 35-inch tire (such as 35x12.50R18 or 305/70R18) with minor trimming of the front liners and adjusting the stops. A 37-inch tire generally requires a leveling kit or a 2-to-3-inch lift to clear without rubbing on full turns.
Do I need a specific load rating for Ram 2500 tires?
Yes. A Ram 2500 should run Load Range E (10-ply) tires rated around 3,195 lbs each or higher. Lighter passenger or Load Range C tires can be overloaded by the truck's payload and towing weight and may fail under load.
Will bigger tires hurt my Ram 2500 gas mileage and towing?
Yes. Going from a stock 32-inch tire to a 35-inch tire usually drops fuel economy by 1 to 3 mpg, slows acceleration, and makes the speedometer read about 8 to 10 percent slow. Towing capability drops because effective gearing changes; many owners re-gear the axles to recover it.
How do I know which tire size my Ram 2500 needs?
Check the tire and loading placard on the driver door jamb. It lists the original tire size, recommended cold pressures, and load rating for your specific VIN. The sidewall of your current tires also shows the size, but the placard is the factory reference.

📝 TL;DR

  • Factory tire size for a Dodge Ram 2500 is usually 265/70R18 (18s) or 285/60R20 (20s).
  • Power Wagon runs 285/70R17; base 17s use 235/80R17.
  • Run Load Range E (10-ply) tires. Load rating matters more than diameter.
  • Stock max fit is about a 35-inch tire with light trimming; 37s need a leveling kit or lift.
  • Big tires cost 1 to 3 mpg and an 8 to 10 percent slow speedometer, and often call for a re-gear.