2017 Ram 3500 Tire Size, Pressure & Specs

Quick answer

• OEM Tire Size: LT275/70R18E (standard on most trims)
• Optional Sizes: LT285/60R20E (often on Laramie, Limited), LT235/80R17E (dually)
• Recommended Cold Tire Pressure (Single Rear Wheel): 60 PSI (Front), 80 PSI (Rear) - Always verify your driver's side door placard.
• Recommended Cold Tire Pressure (Dual Rear Wheel): 65 PSI (Front), 65 PSI (Rear) - Always verify your driver's side door placard.
• Bolt Pattern: 8x200mm (8x7.87")
• Wheel Size: 17x6.0", 18x8.0", 20x8.0"
• Load Index / Speed Rating: e.g., 125/122R (varies by tire)
• Spare Tire Size: Full-size spare, typically LT275/70R18E or LT235/80R17E.
• TPMS Frequency: 433 MHz

Tire Sizes by Trim

Recommended Replacement Tires

Choosing the right tire for your 3500 depends on your use case—be it highway cruising, heavy towing, or off-road work.

• $$$ Michelin Defender LTX M/S: A premium highway and all-season tire known for its long tread life, quiet ride, and excellent wet/dry traction. Ideal for trucks that spend most of their time on pavement.
• $$ BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2: A top-tier all-terrain tire offering aggressive looks and exceptional off-road capability without a huge sacrifice in on-road comfort. Perfect for work trucks and weekend adventurers.
• $ Falken Wildpeak A/T3W: A highly-rated, budget-friendly all-terrain that provides a great balance of on-road manners and off-road grit, with a reputation for solid performance in snow.

When to Inflate to Max Load PSI

The 2017 Ram 3500 is a heavy-duty truck designed for serious work. The recommended cold tire pressures on the door placard (e.g., 60 PSI front, 80 PSI rear for SRW) are for normal, unloaded driving and provide the best balance of ride comfort and handling.

However, you should inflate your rear tires to the maximum pressure listed on the tire's sidewall when towing heavy trailers or carrying maximum payload in the bed. This practice is essential for heavy-duty trucks to prevent tire overheating, excessive sidewall flex, and potential blowouts. Inflating to the max PSI ensures the tire can support its stated load capacity, providing stability and safety under heavy loads. Remember to reduce the pressure back to the placard recommendation when the load is removed to restore ride comfort and prevent uneven tread wear.

Lug Nut Torque & Pattern

• Lug Nut Torque: 130-150 lb-ft (176-203 N·m) for single rear wheels. Always confirm with your owner's manual.
• Tightening Pattern: Always tighten lug nuts in a star or crisscross pattern to ensure the wheel is seated evenly against the hub. Torque the nuts in stages, starting with a lower torque (e.g., 80 lb-ft) in the star pattern, then finishing with the final torque specification in the same pattern.

Common Tire Issues for this Vehicle

• "Death Wobble": While not strictly a tire issue, worn tires with uneven wear can exacerbate the infamous "death wobble"—a violent shaking of the front end. This is usually caused by worn steering or suspension components (track bar, ball joints, tie rods), but out-of-balance or worn tires can trigger the event. Keeping tires properly balanced and rotated is critical.
• Rapid Wear When Towing: Towing heavy loads with underinflated tires will cause rapid and uneven tread wear, especially on the rear axle. Always follow the max load inflation guidelines above when putting the truck to work.
• TPMS Sensor Faults: The 433 MHz TPMS sensors can fail over time, leading to a persistent warning light on the dash. This is a common maintenance item for vehicles of this age, requiring replacement of the sensor and reprogramming.

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