RAM Trucks 3500 Limited Tires

RAM Trucks 3500 Limited uses three tire sizes in 2016: 235/80R17 on 17-inch wheels, 275/70R18 on 18-inch wheels, and 285/60R20 on 20-inch wheels. All three are metric radial sizes, but they are tied to different wheel diameters, so they are not direct substitutes for one another without a corresponding wheel change.

The practical takeaway is to start at the wheel, not the sidewall alone. If the truck has its original wheel package, matching the existing rim diameter usually narrows the correct size immediately, and if the truck has been changed over the years, the current wheel diameter matters more than the badge or trim level.

A 2016 RAM Trucks 3500 Limited can show 235/80R17, 275/70R18, and 285/60R20 because that model year spans more than one wheel package. The split is a rim-diameter split, with 17-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch wheels all represented, rather than different constructions of the same basic size.

That means year alone is not enough to choose a tire for a 2016 RAM Trucks 3500 Limited. Check the wheel diameter stamped on the tire sidewall, measure the wheel if needed, and verify the truck’s current configuration before matching the correct size from the year listing.

RAM Trucks 3500 Limited uses three rim diameters in the 2016 listings: 17 inches with 235/80R17, 18 inches with 275/70R18, and 20 inches with 285/60R20. Because these are metric radial sizes, the final number in each size code is the wheel diameter in inches.

That last number is the quickest way to avoid a fitment mistake. A truck wearing 18-inch wheels needs an 18-inch tire regardless of whether another 2016 RAM Trucks 3500 Limited used 17-inch or 20-inch wheels, so confirm the actual wheel before comparing tread pattern or sidewall details.

The best way to confirm the correct tire size for a 2016 RAM Trucks 3500 Limited is to identify the wheel diameter first, then match it to the listed sizes: 235/80R17 for 17-inch wheels, 275/70R18 for 18-inch wheels, or 285/60R20 for 20-inch wheels. Since one model year carries all three, the trim name alone does not settle the answer.

Check the current tire sidewall, verify the wheel size physically if the truck has had changes over time, and compare the result with the year listing. If originality matters, factory paperwork, a window sticker, or a Ram specialist can help determine whether the present wheel-and-tire package matches how the truck was originally equipped.

The listed RAM Trucks 3500 Limited products show two sidewall styles: RWL and RBL. The 275/70R18 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is listed with an RWL sidewall, while the LT235/80R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is listed with an RBL sidewall.

Sidewall style affects appearance more than basic fit, but it can matter if you want the truck to keep a particular look. Confirm the exact size first, then compare sidewall treatment within that size, since a style available in one wheel diameter may not be offered in another listed fitment.

The listed RAM Trucks 3500 Limited products currently show BFGoodrich as the available brand for the covered sizes. The products shown are both from the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series, one in 275/70R18 and one in LT235/80R17.

Brand matters after basic fitment is settled. Once the correct wheel diameter and size are confirmed, you can compare load rating, sidewall style, and tread type within the available brand options rather than trying to force a preferred brand onto the wrong wheel diameter.

A RAM Trucks 3500 Limited should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and major temperature swings. Heavy-duty trucks place substantial static load on their tires, so keeping inflation appropriate for storage conditions and moving the truck occasionally helps reduce flat-spotting and sidewall stress.

If the truck will sit for extended periods, wash the tires, avoid petroleum-based dressings, and consider reducing long stationary load with proper support methods. Storage habits matter just as much as tread depth on a low-use specialty truck, especially when the tires may age out before they wear out.

Tires on a RAM Trucks 3500 Limited should be inspected regularly even when mileage is low, with a visual check before driving and a more thorough inspection several times a year. Look for cracking, irregular wear, punctures, weathering, and signs of impact damage, and pay close attention to inflation because load-capable truck tires are sensitive to pressure.

Regular inspection is especially important on a truck that tows, carries weight, or sits for long periods between uses. A quick routine of checking pressure, tread condition, and sidewalls before each outing can catch problems early and helps preserve both ride quality and safe load-carrying performance.

Tires on a RAM Trucks 3500 Limited should be replaced when age, cracking, impact damage, belt separation symptoms, or persistent air loss appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector and low-mileage trucks often reach the end of safe tire life by time and condition rather than by wearing the tread down.

The key is to judge the tire as a whole, not by tread depth alone. If the truck has spent years parked, exposed to sunlight, or carrying heavy static load, have the tires evaluated carefully and replace them when condition points to aging rather than waiting for visible tread wear.

A correctly sized, properly inflated, undamaged tire can be suitable for public-road use on a RAM Trucks 3500 Limited, but safety depends on matching the tire to the truck’s actual wheel diameter and intended duty. The listed products for the covered sizes are radial truck tires, and the published load and pressure figures should be respected for any real-world use.

Public-road driving starts with condition and fitment, not just size. Before putting miles on the truck, make sure the tire size matches the wheel, the inflation is set appropriately, and the overall tire condition supports the way the truck will be used, especially if towing or carrying substantial load.

Before driving a RAM Trucks 3500 Limited, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and basic wheel security. On a truck with multiple possible wheel diameters for the same model year, it is also worth confirming that all four tires match the wheel size and that the load-rated tires are appropriate for the truck’s current use.

That pre-drive routine becomes more important if the truck has been parked for long stretches or recently changed wheels and tires. A few minutes spent checking pressure and condition can prevent heat buildup, irregular wear, or overload-related issues once the truck is back on the road.

A RAM Trucks 3500 Limited should always be driven within the speed capability of the specific tires mounted on it, the truck’s load condition, and overall roadworthiness. The listed tires are modern radial truck tires rather than antique constructions, but speed choice still needs to account for inflation, payload, towing demands, and tire age.

The safest approach is to treat an older specialty or collector truck conservatively, especially if it sees limited use. Even with correct modern-size tires, sustained high-speed driving on aged, underinflated, or overloaded tires puts far more stress on the tire than ordinary local or moderate highway use.