Winter tire size

[TwiceAsBlue]

My truck came with 275/60R20 tires because of some combination of 4x4, max tow, PB I assume. I have always had separate rims for winter and summer tires and my previous car did not have the same size rims for both sets. I will tow some in the winter but more in the summer. Do I get the same size winter tires/rims as my summers, or do I (can I) get another size?

Thanks!

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[cghall77]

Have the same tire size. I put Cooper Snow Claws (same tire size as all seasons) on factory wheels and after market for all season tires. Tow sleds in the winter and travel trailer in summer. Setup worked well over first year.

 

[kb2755]

I've got the 18" Sport wheels with 275/65R18 Goodyear A/T tires. For winters I'm running 265/70R17 BFGoodrich Winter T/A KSI tires on steel wheels.

I do not have the Max Tow package, which I believe includes bigger brakes and requires 18"+ wheels for clearance?

There's nothing that says you must match the same size as your stock wheels - in fact a general rule for winter is to downsize for a narrower track for grip in the snow and a taller sidewall for winter conditions.:

https://www.canadadrives.ca/blog/maintenance/are-winter-tires-worth-the-money
"Should I downsize my winter tires?
Downsizing your tires (aka minus sizing) can be effective for winter driving. Rather than using your factory rim and tire size, a smaller diameter wheel is matched with a more-narrow-but-taller tire. Overall, the tire is intended to be the same height as you’d choose a higher profile tire. The benefit of narrow winter tires is deeper traction on winter roads.

You can save money if you’re driving a car with factory-installed 20" or 22" rims since downsized wheels are cheaper. Just make sure you test fit the rim before installing a set on your car."

 

[Harvey13118]

Factory is 275/65/18. During the winter I use 245/75/17 Full studded winter. I want the narrowest tire available with the closest diameter. The narrower the tire the better the bite. Load rating is very close. It's the narrowest tire I could find that is very close.

The 17's aren't exact match for circumference but PDC.

Lots of rims available on Craigs and Ebay. Go to tire rack to check spec's on tires.

If I travel south I'll switch back to the all seasons and take the chance.

 

[ryanc111]

I do not have the Max Tow package, which I believe includes bigger brakes and requires 18"+ wheels for clearance?

Max Tow does require 18" wheels to allow for clearance of the rear brake calipers . . . that being said, @kb2755 makes a great point - you don't need to match your winter tire size to your summer tire. As long as the wheels work you're good to go. As others have said, there are benefits to having narrower tires for your winter wheels - and there are also LT winter tires if you need them for towing.

**Edit to add - you will have a much easier time finding snow tires for an 18" wheel than your OEM 20" wheels.

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