Tire size on factory 20's with leveling kit

[Matt_UKTX]

Hate that you - and I - aren't as smart as Tyler and that we occasionally ask stupid questions that we should be sensitive enough about his knowledge and impatience enough not to ask.

 

Hahaha... That's hilarious. You schooled him

[Havvkeye]

People say 305/55R20 Nitto Terra Grappler's fit too - this is a lighter "XL" tire in between a P and an LT, weighs 49 lbs, good choice, will rub the liner but not bad & they won't cause speedo to be off, are like .75" taller & give a nice wide stance

 

 

My G2's are rated LT and even have it in the size, just FYI. My speedo is spot on, maybe half a mile high (seems like rounding error only) around 70mph based on the Construction Zone radar things when you are about to enter a reduced speed zone.

 

 

Guys,

I've literally read a thousand posts on tire sizes, and I am more confused now than when I started

I have a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 6.2L 4x2 Denali on order. When the truck comes in, the dealer is going to install a leveling kit (I don't know which one, but I do know it will be one that works perfectly with the MRC on the Denali).

I am planning to keep the 20" factory rims and replace the tires with something more aggressive to fill the wheel wells out more.

My question is this: What is the maximum tire size I can go with to avoid any rubbing with zero modifications (other than my level kit)?

To be clear, I don't want to do any cutting, trimming, zip tying, etc. or have to add spacers.

From what I read there are so many opinions on this.

I know with 100% certainty that 275/60/R20's will fit, but these aren't much different than factory tires. However, what about the following sizes:

275/65/R20

285/60/R20

295/60/R20

295/55/R20

305/55/R20

Some say all these will fit with no rub, and others say some do and some don't. Can someone who has tried and tested this please give me some advice. Thanks!

PS: If it makes a difference I'm looking at BFG All-Terrain A/T KO2's, Toyo Open Country AT2's or Nitto Terra Grappler G2's... I also know that not all these tires are not available in all the sizes above.

 

 

I have Terra Grappler G2 in 305/55R20. I did not like the sound from the wheel liner on my tire so I trimmed 2" off the bottom and no more rub. There is a very slight rub on the control arm at full lock but not enough to cause any worry.

 

If you want no noise and no cutting I would not go with this size.

[Havvkeye]

I run a 33x12.5 R20 (295/55R20) on 2-3/4" RC kit slight rub on swaybar, a slighlty more negative offset, or .25" spacer would cure it. My bud runs a 305/55 R20 with no rub. Many 295/55's are actually rebadged 33x12.5's. Be aware of that. My tires are physically wider than my friends 305, even being branded a 295. Both E load tires. Pro Comp and Toyo often do this. If your not going to tow, D load or XL is the way to go. Just remember with a 20"wheel a bit of sidewall stiffness will help ride quality. Night and day between factory P's and an E load. E loads are the most common for a 20 as sidewall rigidy is necessary. My tires are 37lbs heavier inflated than factory SRAs so yes mileage took a noticable hit, 2-3mpg.

 

295/55R20 is more like 33x11.5

 

305/55R20 is only about 33x12.0 so you are quite a bit wider than that if you are running 33x12.5 tires.

 

edit: I just noticed you said 295/55R20 were rebranded as 33x12.5 sometimes and that is just incorrect.

[Matt_UKTX]

 

My G2's are rated LT and even have it in the size, just FYI. My speedo is spot on, maybe half a mile high (seems like rounding error only) around 70mph based on the Construction Zone radar things when you are about to enter a reduced speed zone.

 

 

I have Terra Grappler G2 in 305/55R20. I did not like the sound from the wheel liner on my tire so I trimmed 2" off the bottom and no more rub. There is a very slight rub on the control arm at full lock but not enough to cause any worry.

 

If you want no noise and no cutting I would not go with this size.

 

Thanks... Good advice.

[Matt_UKTX]

 

My G2's are rated LT and even have it in the size, just FYI. My speedo is spot on, maybe half a mile high (seems like rounding error only) around 70mph based on the Construction Zone radar things when you are about to enter a reduced speed zone.

 

 

I have Terra Grappler G2 in 305/55R20. I did not like the sound from the wheel liner on my tire so I trimmed 2" off the bottom and no more rub. There is a very slight rub on the control arm at full lock but not enough to cause any worry.

 

If you want no noise and no cutting I would not go with this size.

 

PS: Did you have a lift/level, or is this on stock?

[Havvkeye]

 

PS: Did you have a lift/level, or is this on stock?

 

This is with a 2" level on the front only. Nothing on the back.

[Driver72]

I've only owned 3 trucks in my life, all have been 4x4 so I'm a bit out of touch with all the in's and out's of 4x2 truck ownership so excuse the ignorant question here:

What's the point or reasoning anyone would put a leveling kit with bigger off road tires on a 2 wheel drive truck? Seems about as needed and necessary as putting a huge trunk spoiler on a 150 hp Honda Civic.

[Brandon5799]

I'm running 305/55/20 toya a/t with a 2.25" leveling kit with no rubbing what so ever

[Havvkeye]

I've only owned 3 trucks in my life, all have been 4x4 so I'm a bit out of touch with all the in's and out's of 4x2 truck ownership so excuse the ignorant question here:

What's the point or reasoning anyone would put a leveling kit with bigger off road tires on a 2 wheel drive truck? Seems about as needed and necessary as putting a huge trunk spoiler on a 150 hp Honda Civic.

 

Leveling kits are mainly for looks. It takes the rake out that is usually on a stock truck for towing purposes. It also gives you a little more height to put bigger rubber in. For the larger tires a big reason it looks for more people again. If you are off roading or mudding you generally go much smaller rims than 20" with bigger tires so anything with a 20" rim and bigger tires is just for kicks and giggles.

 

Some people will say they went bigger tire for a heavier load rating but we all know they just wanted to look more manly.

[Driver72]

 

Leveling kits are mainly for looks. It takes the rake out that is usually on a stock truck for towing purposes. It also gives you a little more height to put bigger rubber in. For the larger tires a big reason it looks for more people again. If you are off roading or mudding you generally go much smaller rims than 20" with bigger tires so anything with a 20" rim and bigger tires is just for kicks and giggles.

 

Some people will say they went bigger tire for a heavier load rating but we all know they just wanted to look more manly.

 

 

Yeah I agree.

I know serious rock crawling or off roading needs 17" or 18" rims, hence the trucks like the Raptor use.

 

I'm going to "level" the front with a 1.5" lift, so it will still have a slight downward rake that I like, but get it closer to level for looks and for a bit more ground clearance since the GM trucks ride lower and have that big front end spoiler that hangs down pretty low (I know, I may shave that down too, will see what it looks like after the 1.5 inch lift and 1.1 inch taller tires).

I also think i'm going to put 275/60/20 tires on some aftermarket rims. The rims are for looks, the tires a bit of both. Want a bit more of an all terrain tire for some off road use, but also want it to be a tiny bit taller to fill in the wheel well a bit more as the GM trucks have smaller tires than some of the other brands so they look a bit small.

Most of my off roading will be pretty mild on dirt paths and such but no rock or mountain climbing.