CKNEK wrote: The 3500's come with 265's from the factory so problems with steering, transmission etc because of tire size is BS. The steering and drive train on the 2500 and 3500's are identical. 3500's have a stiffer torsion bar, extra rear leafs and 7" wheels, everything else is the same.
265's are FINE on a 6.5" rim, some are even running a 315 with no problem. If you're not interested in the width run a 255/85. Same height as a 265 and the same width of a 24
265's will work on the OEM wheel. They are not approved by the tire manufactors, but they will work for sure. I would bet that the 265 is the most common tire replacement on the GM 2500 series trucks. You will need to get your speedometer re-calibrated, you will be a couple of MPH off. My truck came factory with 17" wheels and 265/70/17 tires on it.
2010 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 31.5 FBHS
08 Chevy 2500HD LTZ Duramax CC/SB/4X4
Reese Signature Series Hitch
LT = Light Truck
235 = Width in millimeters
85 = Aspect Ratio, expressed as a percentage of tire width
16 = Wheel Diameter, in inches
E = Tire load rating class
gmcsmoke wrote: 265's are FINE on a 6.5" rim, some are even running a 315 with no problem. If you're not interested in the width run a 255/85. Same height as a 265 and the same width of a 24
That all depends on what your definition of FINE is.
I don't like squishy tires on a truck that will be carrying heavy loads. On the other end of the spectrum, squishy tires on an off road vehicle used for rock crawling are great!
315's on 6.5" wheels is way way way beyond the recommended tire/wheel size width range from ANY tire, wheel or vehicle manufacturer, oem or aftermarket.
255/85-16's are not the same height as 245/75-16's. The 255's are about 2.5" taller.
215/85-16's are similar in height to 245's.
edatlanta wrote: I asked this specific question to Michelin. They said do not put the 265's on 6.5" rims. they were very specific, do not do it.
Ed
You are correct, if you ask any tire maker they will tell you the same. The 6-1/2" wide wheel is not recomended, so they will not give a customer the green light. Look at gas company trucks, if they have GM trucks, you can bet that they are not running factory size tires. I don't know of anyone that has experienced a tire, or wheel failure because of this combination. I did have a tire company in my area tell me they would not mount tires to wide for the wheels, because they had replaced broken wheels due to this. This issue is a judgement call, but if I had 6-1/2" factory wheels and needed tires, I would put 265's on, and not worry.
Going from a section width of 245 to 265 is a difference of only 20 millimeters, that equals 0.78 inches. I agree that you should not put huge tires on stock wheels, but a tire a little more than 3/4 of an inch wider than stock shouldn't hurt anything.
Pat
'98 Chevy K2500HD 4x4 454 3.73
'06 S&S Montana Bitterroot 8.5 ASC
'00 FR Sandpiper 30SPCS 5er Toy Hauler
There is another consideration here that so far no one has touched on.
The stock 245 tires are likely rated to ~3000 lbs each. Most 265/75-16E's are rated to ~3400 lbs each. So you're upgrading to a stronger tire, presumably to carry a heavier load, since that's what most with 2500 trucks are trying to do, carry what the 3500 is rated for since they are such similar trucks, but you haven't upgraded the wheels, which are likely rated at the same ~3000 lbs as the stock tires. So the tire upgrade hasnt helped any because the wheels are still deficient. Best solution is pick up a set of 7" wheels from a 3500 and put a new set of 265's on the 7" wheels, then you have accomplished the whole upgrade at once.
When I upgraded the rear tires on my truck, I went to 285/75-16E's, rated at 3750 lbs, but I also upgraded the wheels to heavy duty steel 16x8's with a 4000 lb rating. It wouldn't make any sense to put the ~11.2" wide 3750 lb tires on the stock 3042 lb 16x6 wheels now would it.
I changed mine to 265s on OEM aluminum wheels within the first month of receiving my 04 2500HD DA without noticing one bit of negative. Only postives, as I now have more max weight on the tires to play with.
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