2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Tire Size & Pressure Guide

As an ASE-certified master technician, I've serviced countless heavy-duty trucks, and the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is a regular in the bay. When you are dealing with a heavy-duty workhorse capable of towing over 30,000 pounds, your tires are arguably the most critical safety component on the vehicle. Running the wrong tire size, load rating, or air pressure can lead to catastrophic blowouts, poor handling, and accelerated wear.

Whether you drive a Single Rear Wheel (SRW) or Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) configuration, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500HD tire specifications.

Quick answer

Here are the essential tire and wheel specifications for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD:

• OEM tire sizes: LT235/80R17 (DRW), LT275/70R18 (SRW), LT275/65R20 (SRW options)
• Recommended cold tire pressure:
  • SRW: 60 PSI Front / 80 PSI Rear
  • DRW: 65 PSI Front / 65 PSI Rear (check driver’s door placard for exact specs)
• Bolt pattern: 8x180 mm
• Wheel size: 17x6.5 (DRW), 18x8.0 (SRW), or 20x8.5 (SRW)
• Load index/speed rating: 125/122 R (SRW), 120/117 R (DRW) – Must be Load Range E (10-ply)
• Spare tire size: Full-size matching LT tire
• TPMS frequency: 433 MHz

Tire sizes by trim

Tire sizes for the 2020 Silverado 3500HD depend heavily on whether the truck is equipped with Single Rear Wheels (SRW) or Dual Rear Wheels (DRW/Dually). Below is a breakdown of the standard and optional sizes by trim level.

Note: Always verify your specific setup on the tire placard located on the driver’s side door jamb.

Recommended replacement tires

When replacing tires on a 1-ton truck, always ensure you are purchasing Load Range E (10-ply) tires. Passenger (P-metric) tires are incredibly dangerous and entirely insufficient for this vehicle. Here are my top picks from the shop:

• Michelin Defender LTX M/S (Premium): The absolute gold standard for heavy-duty highway driving and towing. Excellent tread life, quiet ride, and superior wet traction.
• BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 (Mid-High): A top-tier choice for trucks that see job sites, dirt roads, or snow. They offer a highly durable sidewall and excellent off-road traction without screaming on the highway.
• Falken Wildpeak A/T3W (Mid-Tier): A fantastic, aggressive all-terrain tire that performs incredibly well in wet and snowy conditions while remaining relatively budget-friendly compared to the BFG.

When to inflate to max load psi

Because the 3500HD is a heavy-duty truck, tire pressure management is a bit different than your average commuter car. The rear tires on an SRW 3500HD often require 80 PSI (the maximum cold inflation pressure for a Load Range E tire) to support the truck's maximum payload and pin weight from 5th-wheel trailers.

When to use max PSI: You should inflate the rear tires to the placard-recommended 80 PSI whenever you are towing a heavy load, hauling significant weight in the bed, or operating at the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

When running empty: Some drivers drop the rear tire pressure slightly (e.g., down to 65-70 PSI) when daily driving with an empty bed to soften the harsh ride and prevent the center of the tire tread from wearing out prematurely. However, you must air them back up before hooking up a trailer.

Lug nut torque & pattern

Heavy-duty trucks require heavy-duty fastening. The 2020 Silverado 3500HD features an 8x180 mm bolt pattern.

When reinstalling wheels, the lug nuts must be torqued to 140 lb-ft using a calibrated torque wrench. Always tighten in a star/cross pattern to ensure the wheel seats evenly against the hub. Re-check the torque after 50 to 100 miles of driving, especially on aluminum wheels or dually setups.

Common tire issues for this vehicle

• Dually inner-tire neglect: On DRW models, the inner rear tires are notoriously difficult to check for air pressure. Consequently, they often run underinflated, leading to hidden sidewall damage or blowouts under load. Always use a dual-head tire chuck and gauge to check these regularly.
• Uneven front tire wear (Cupping): The heavy Duramax diesel engine puts immense weight on the front end. Failing to rotate the tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles will quickly result in cupping on the outside edges of the front tires.
• TPMS sensor failures: While the 433 MHz sensors are generally reliable, the batteries tend to die around the 5-7 year mark. If you are replacing tires on a 2020 model in the near future, it is highly recommended to replace the TPMS sensors while the tires are already dismounted.

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