1500 with Max Tow and OEM 20" wheels, would like to move down to 18" wheels

DubVBenz · January 28

I have a 24 SLT with the Max Tow option, which gives you a 9.76" rear end, 3.73 gears, real leaf springs, supposedly enhanced cooling, and mandatory 20" wheels. The disclaimer when choosing the option is that the 20" wheels are necessary for the increased load.

I'd like to drop down to 18", but I'm trying to find a clear answer as to whether or not that would affect the total towing rating, which is currently 12,900. I know I'll never likely tow that much, but I might hit 10K here and there.

Anyone have thoughts or guidance?

asilverblazer · January 28

The sticker is already printed an on your truck so that is not going to change.

The only reason the wheel size might change the actual performance of the truck would be through tire specifications used in factory validation/testing. Likely meaning that the ONLY tire GM supplied new on the trucks that could meet a certain performance requirement in the SAE trailer rating tests was the 20" tire. You might specify your own 18" tire that has a higher performance level than GM's selection of 18" tires.

PunchT37 · January 28

My gas 2025, 1500 has the NHT package. It`s got 18`s on it, sooo. 9.76 rear with 3.42`s.

johnnyquick · January 29

13 hours ago, DubVBenz said:

I have a 24 SLT with the Max Tow option, which gives you a 9.76" rear end, 3.73 gears, real leaf springs, supposedly enhanced cooling, and mandatory 20" wheels. The disclaimer when choosing the option is that the 20" wheels are necessary for the increased load.

I'd like to drop down to 18", but I'm trying to find a clear answer as to whether or not that would affect the total towing rating, which is currently 12,900. I know I'll never likely tow that much, but I might hit 10K here and there.

Anyone have thoughts or guidance?

Well there COULD be a problem if you bought some cheap China wheels from a tire shop etc.

The wheel load rating is what you need to look for as well as using a tire that is rated for such weight.

Check this out.

https://fifteen52.com/blogs/52/wheel-load-rating-a-guide-for-street-track-and-trail-warriors

DubVBenz · January 29

After a bunch of research, I'm just going to stick with the OEM 20s and get these tires: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=TerrainContact+H%2FT&partnum=76TR0TCHTV2&fromTireCompare=Y&vehicleSearch=true&autoMake=GMC&autoYear=2024&autoModel=Sierra+1500+4WD+Crew+Cab&autoModClar=275%2F60-20

We've had one hell of a ice storm here in VA and I have been so disappointed in the Bridgestone alenza tires that came with it that I thought maybe getting an 18 with more sidewall would give me more options for better traction. After reading up on the OEM bridgestones, apparently they're complete garbage and the Continental TerrainContacts are a lot better. I run continental DWS on all of my other vehicles, so I'll stick to that brand. I looked at the Falkens, but they add too much weight. The TerrainContacts have a higher load rating too.