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275/55/20 Or 305/50/20 Tire

martens

By martens
in Tires, Wheels & TPMS

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martens Enthusiast

martens

Posted
Posted

I've got some 20 inch x 8.5 inch wheels coming for my 95 GMC. I have decided on Cooper Zeon tires.

 

I can't decide between 275/55/20 or 305/50/20. With my cars I have always been pleased with a bigger tire. Being new to trucks, what is the pros and cons of the bigger rubber.

 

I've checked and should have plenty of clearance.

 

Right now the truck gets good gas mileage and rides well. I can't imagine the wider tire riding any different as they both have the same sidewall. On my car, the wider rubber does track road ruts at times and I would imagine the same would apply to a truck.

 

I don't plan to get crazy off road but would like to be able to do some easy trails.

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

Posted
Posted

Either tire size would work for what you want but the 305's def. will look meatier. I'm currently running the 275/55's and in the spring will get the 305's.

hossmp2500 Enthusiast

hossmp2500

Posted
Posted

I have the 275/60/20 on my truck with 20x9 wheels. If I was doing it over I think I would go with the 305/50/20. I think the 305/50/20 may be a touch shorter in height but I am not sure. I know the Cooper tire site has details on all the measurments if you look at the bottom right corner of the screen on each tire you select there should be an option to view a detailed measurment chart.

 

So far I have been pleased with the Cooper tire. I have 15,800 miles approx on them and they are about 50% worn for me. I am not easy on them. For the price they have been a good tire. Previously I ran BFG tires and for the price these are a good option.

Ron_CA Enthusiast

Ron_CA

Posted
Posted

I have the 305 50 20s on my truck and they are a nice setup.

Do not track in any road grooves and per the cooper site the sidewall is actually a little taller than the 275 55 20s

 

I would choose the same tires again.

mhenshaw Senior Enthusiast

mhenshaw

Posted
Posted

I would get the 305s

 

Size 275/55R20 117S XL

Product Code 01405

Service Desc. (Load Range) 117S

UTQG Rating 520 A B

Approved Rim Widths (in.) 7.5 - 9.5

Measured Rim Width (in.) 8.5

Overall Diameter (in.) 31.9

Tread Width (in.) 9.3

Tread Depth (in.) 0.44

Max Load (lbs.) 2833@50psi

Tire Weight (lbs.) 47

 

Size 275/60R20 119S XL

Product Code 01403

Service Desc. (Load Range) 119S

UTQG Rating 520 A B

Approved Rim Widths (in.) 7.5 - 9.5

Measured Rim Width (in.) 8.0

Overall Diameter (in.) 33.0

Tread Width (in.) 9.0

Tread Depth (in.) 0.44

Max Load (lbs.) 2998@50psi

Tire Weight (lbs.) 53

 

 

Size 305/50R20 120S XL

Product Code 01407

Service Desc. (Load Range) 120S

UTQG Rating 520 A B

Approved Rim Widths (in.) 8.5 - 11.0

Measured Rim Width (in.) 9.5

Overall Diameter (in.) 32.2

Tread Width (in.) 10.4

Tread Depth (in.) 0.44

Max Load (lbs.) 3086@50psi

Tire Weight (lbs.) 54

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

305s will look a little too wide for the wheel on an 8.5 inch wheel. With the zeons, that might look pretty good. You'd just have to test fit one. I have 275-55s on 20x9s and they fit perfectly.

martens Enthusiast

martens

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The 305's should be about .6 inches wider. I've got flares and the wheels are 31 mm off set so they should sit inside the wheel well/flare pretty well.

 

The wheels should be hear tomorrow and I am going to see if the tire shop will mount up a 305 first. If it doesn't look bulged on the wheel, I think I am going with the 305's.

  • 6 months later...
SouthCo Senior Enthusiast

SouthCo

Posted
Posted

So how did this work out for you? Will be getting some tires for my truck (oem 20"s) by the end of summer. Was looking at 275/60/20 to get a 33" diameter tire but was curious how the 305/50/20 fit. From NadieLite's post, the 305/50/20 may be .8" shorter which isn't much. Sorry for bringing an older post back up but I've been debating on 305/50/20 or 275/60/20 too. My current 275/55/20 are good but want some more height.

ibuck Enthusiast

ibuck

Posted
Posted

Go with the 305's. After much debate and a lot of time and help from this site I eventually decided on a 20x8.5 XD Spy with 305/50 Cooper Zeon's. It turned out just as I hoped. Thanks again everyone. Sorry for the pics, lots of reflection right after washing.

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