The 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ sits in the full-size pickup market as a well-equipped version of the GMT900 Silverado, combining everyday truck use with the option for larger wheels, off-road packages, and towing-oriented setups. That matters because tire fitment on this exact model is not limited to one size. Depending on whether the truck is a 4x2, 4x4, 20 Inch Option, Max Trailer Package, or Z71 Package, it may use 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18, or 275/55R20 radial tires. The main decision is confirming the truck's exact configuration, wheel diameter, and intended use before comparing available all-terrain tire choices.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ
The 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the truck's exact sub-model and wheel setup. These fitments are all radial, but they span 17-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch rims. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the truck is a 4x2, 4x4, 20 Inch Option, Max Trailer Package, or Z71 Package, then verify the wheel diameter actually installed on the truck.
A 275/55R20 tire uses a 275-millimeter section width, a 55-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 20-inch rim. On the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ, this size is tied to configurations that use 20-inch wheels, including the 20 Inch Option and certain Max Trailer Package fitments. It gives the truck a different wheel-and-tire presentation than the 17-inch and 18-inch setups used elsewhere in the LTZ range. Choosing this size starts with confirming that the truck actually has 20-inch wheels rather than assuming all LTZ models share the same rim diameter.
A 245/70R17 tire is a modern metric radial size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ, it appears on certain 4x2 and 4x4 applications, making it one of the smaller-width primary fitments within this model line. Available product choice in this size includes a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letter sidewall styling. This size should be selected only after confirming the truck's exact sub-model and existing wheel setup, especially if it has been changed from stock-type dimensions.
Fit(s): 4x2, 4x4, w/Max Trailer Pkg., and w/Z71 Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 17 in
A 265/70R17 tire keeps the same 17-inch rim diameter as 245/70R17 but uses a wider 265-millimeter section width with a 70-series profile. It is one of the more broadly used fitments on the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ, appearing across 4x2, 4x4, Max Trailer Package, and Z71-related applications. In available products, this size is offered in the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 series with raised white letter styling and more than one load specification. It is a practical size to evaluate when the truck is expected to balance road use with truck-duty demands, but wheel compatibility still needs to match the tire specification.
A 265/65R18 tire combines a 265-millimeter section width with a 65-series profile, radial construction, and an 18-inch wheel diameter. On the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ, this size is associated with certain Z71 Package configurations rather than the broader 17-inch or 20-inch fitments. Its role in the lineup makes wheel confirmation especially important, since an 18-inch tire cannot be chosen simply by matching width or overall look. This size is best evaluated by owners who have already verified the truck's package and wheel diameter and want to stay aligned with that specific LTZ setup.
2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ Sub-Model Tires
Sub-model fitment on the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ varies by wheel option and package, so tire selection is not the same across every version. Checking the exact configuration matters first, because this LTZ can use 17-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch radial tire fitments depending on how the truck was equipped.
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2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ (20 Inch Option)
The 20 Inch Option uses a 20-inch radial tire fitment rather than the 17-inch and 18-inch combinations seen on other LTZ versions. Tire selection here begins with keeping the wheel diameter correct, then comparing tire style and intended use within that specific setup.
The 4x2 configuration uses 17-inch radial tire fitments and may be equipped with either of two primary sizes. That means the next step is confirming the exact tire size already on the truck and matching it to the actual wheel setup before choosing a replacement.
The 4x4 version also uses 17-inch radial tire fitments, with more than one primary size associated with this sub-model. Tire choice should be based on the truck's current wheel-and-tire combination, especially if it has seen wheel changes, suspension work, or other modifications over time.
2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ w/Max Trailer Pkg.
The Max Trailer Package can use either a 17-inch or 20-inch radial fitment, which makes wheel diameter the first thing to verify. Once that is confirmed, the buyer can focus on choosing the right tire specification for towing-oriented use and the truck's actual wheel combination.
2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ w/Z71 Pkg.
The Z71 Package may use either a 17-inch or 18-inch radial tire size, so package identification alone is not enough without checking the wheels on the truck. That distinction affects whether the buyer should be comparing 17-inch all-terrain options or staying with an 18-inch fitment.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ Tires for Sale
Available product choice for this Silverado 1500 LTZ centers on 17-inch radial all-terrain tires from BFGoodrich. The current options focus on the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series in raised white letter form, with differences in load specification and rim-width compatibility depending on size.
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ, how sub-model and wheel choice affect fitment, and what to compare before selecting tires for road use, truck duty, or appearance.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ?
The 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ uses four primary tire sizes: 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18, and 275/55R20. All of these are radial fitments, but they do not apply to every LTZ in the same way. The exact size depends on the truck's sub-model, package, and wheel option.
The most important step is identifying whether the truck is a 4x2, 4x4, 20 Inch Option, Max Trailer Package, or Z71 Package, then checking the wheels actually on the truck. Many Silverado 1500 LTZ trucks have been updated with different wheels over time, so the tire size should match both the correct configuration and the current rim diameter.
What size rim does a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ use?
A 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ can use 17-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch rims depending on the exact configuration. The 245/70R17 and 265/70R17 sizes use 17-inch rims, 265/65R18 uses an 18-inch rim, and 275/55R20 uses a 20-inch rim. Rim diameter is one of the main fitment differences on this model.
That makes wheel confirmation more important than simply shopping by model name. A tire for a 17-inch rim cannot be mounted on an 18-inch or 20-inch wheel, even if the width looks similar. Checking the sidewall on the current tires and confirming the wheel size before ordering helps prevent choosing the right size in the wrong rim diameter.
Why does the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ have more than one tire size?
This Silverado 1500 LTZ has more than one tire size because fitment changes with wheel options and package combinations. The 20 Inch Option uses 275/55R20, the Z71 Package can use 265/65R18 or 265/70R17, and the 4x2, 4x4, and Max Trailer Package applications also bring different 17-inch or 20-inch possibilities.
That variation means the correct tire is tied to how the truck was equipped rather than to the LTZ badge alone. Some versions share the same rim diameter but not the same width or profile, while others change wheel diameter entirely. Matching the tire to the actual sub-model and wheels on the truck is the safest way to narrow the fitment correctly.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ?
Start with the correct primary size for the truck's exact configuration: 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18, or 275/55R20. From there, compare construction, intended use, rim compatibility, and load specification. Since this LTZ can span multiple wheel diameters, selecting by the truck's current wheel-and-tire setup matters just as much as selecting by model name.
The available 17-inch product choices here lean toward all-terrain use, so buyers should decide whether the truck is being kept for general street driving, truck duty, or a more aggressive all-terrain look. It also helps to compare the rim-width range and load figure attached to each tire specification so the tire matches the wheel and the way the truck is used.
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ tires?
The available product selection for this Silverado 1500 LTZ includes RWL sidewalls, which can be described as raised white letter styling. That sidewall treatment appears on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options offered in the applicable 17-inch sizes. It gives the truck a more assertive visual presentation than a plain black sidewall.
Sidewall style should still come after confirming the correct size and wheel diameter. On a truck like the Silverado LTZ, appearance can be part of the decision, but the tire still needs to match the truck's sub-model and wheel setup first. Raised white letters can suit an all-terrain look well, especially on trucks with Z71 or towing-oriented visual preferences.
What brands offer tires for the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ?
The current product selection for the covered Silverado 1500 LTZ sizes includes BFGoodrich. In the 17-inch fitments, the brand appears in the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series, with more than one specification available in 265/70R17 and a corresponding option in 245/70R17. Those choices keep the focus on radial all-terrain truck use.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It is more useful to compare the exact size, the rim-width range, the load specification, and whether the tire's tread and sidewall style suit the way the truck will be driven. That approach is especially important on a Silverado LTZ, where the same model name can cover several wheel and package combinations.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ?
A period-style choice for a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ starts with keeping the truck in its correct primary tire size and wheel diameter for the exact sub-model. On this newer full-size pickup, that usually means preserving the 17-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch look associated with the truck's package rather than forcing a different diameter for appearance alone.
Once the fitment is confirmed, appearance comes down to how closely the tire matches the truck's intended presentation. An all-terrain radial with raised white letters gives a more aggressive truck-era look than a plainer sidewall. Buyers pursuing strict originality should compare the truck against window-sticker, dealer, or marque-specific reference material before making cosmetic changes.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ?
On the 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ, the primary fitments are radial, so the construction itself already aligns with the truck's era. Appearance is shaped less by bias-ply-versus-radial questions and more by size, wheel diameter, tread character, and sidewall treatment. A 17-inch all-terrain radial with raised white letters presents differently than a larger-diameter street-oriented setup.
That means visual restoration on this Silverado is mostly about preserving the right wheel-and-tire relationship for the exact package. A truck equipped with 20-inch wheels should not be judged by the same visual standard as a 17-inch towing or Z71 configuration. Keeping the proper proportions often matters more than chasing a different construction type that was never central to this model's fitment.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ even when the tire size sounds close to the original setup. Aftermarket wheels, leveling kits, lowering changes, suspension alterations, or body modifications can affect rim width, offset, and clearance at the fenders or steering components. That can matter across all four primary sizes used on this truck.
A Silverado that has been changed from its original-style wheel setup should be checked as it sits today, not just by sub-model description. Tire choice should account for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, turning clearance, and how the truck is used. A careful inspection is especially worthwhile before moving between 17-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch fitment patterns on LTZ configurations.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ on new tires?
Before driving on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware and valve stems are in good shape, and make sure the installed tires match the intended size for the truck. It also helps to check for obvious interference points around the suspension, steering, and inner fender areas once the new tires are mounted.
A short initial road test can reveal issues that are easy to miss while the truck is stationary. Listen for rubbing at full steering lock, watch for vibration, and recheck inflation pressure after installation. On a Silverado 1500 LTZ that may have towing, package, or wheel-option differences, those small verification steps help confirm that the new setup behaves as expected on the road.
How often should tires on a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ be inspected?
Tires on a 2009 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 1500 LTZ should be inspected regularly rather than only when tread looks low. A routine check for pressure loss, irregular wear, cuts, bulges, and sidewall damage is important on any truck, especially one that may see towing, rougher road use, or long periods between more detailed maintenance visits.
Inspection matters just as much on lightly used trucks as on daily drivers. A Silverado that sits for stretches can still develop age-related issues or lose air pressure without obvious warning. Looking over the tires before longer drives, after hauling, or after contact with curbs and potholes helps catch small problems early and keeps the chosen fitment working the way it should.