The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota sits in a practical middle ground between compact pickups and full-size trucks, giving owners a truck that feels manageable without giving up real utility. In this model year, tire fitment depends heavily on trim and wheel package, with four primary radial sizes spanning 16-, 17-, and 18-inch rims. That makes the first decision less about brand preference and more about confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter already on the truck. Once that is sorted, the focus shifts to matching the intended use, especially where all-terrain BFGoodrich options appear in the 16-inch fitments for owners who want truck-ready road manners and a more aggressive look.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota
The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Because these fitments span 16-, 17-, and 18-inch rims, the first step is confirming the truck's trim and measuring the wheel already on it before comparing tire choices or considering a replacement style.
The size 265/60R18 identifies a metric radial tire with a 265-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, and an 18-inch rim diameter. On the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota, this is one of the larger wheel-package fitments and keeps the selection centered on modern radial construction. This size matters most for buyers confirming an 18-inch Dakota setup, since moving to a different size requires more than matching diameter alone. Wheel width, overall proportions, and clearance should still be checked before replacing what is already on the truck.
The size 265/65R17 uses the same 265-millimeter nominal width as some other Dakota fitments, but with a 65-series profile on a 17-inch rim. Its radial construction suits the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota's later-model truck fitment approach while separating it clearly from the 16-inch and 18-inch wheel packages. This size is especially important on trims that could be equipped with either 17-inch or 18-inch tires, where visual similarity can cause confusion. Confirming the actual wheel diameter on the truck is the key step before comparing replacement options.
The 245/70R16 size is a metric radial with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota, it represents a narrower 16-inch fitment than the 265/70R16 alternative used on another sub-model. Available product choice in this size includes a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters, giving the truck a more assertive all-terrain presentation. This size should be evaluated as a true 16-inch Dakota fitment rather than as a stand-in for the wider 265-series options.
The 265/70R16 designation means a metric radial tire with a 265-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and a 16-inch wheel diameter. For the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota, this size delivers a wider 16-inch fitment than 245/70R16 while staying within the same rim diameter family. Available product choice includes a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters, which gives buyers a distinct all-terrain option in this fitment. It is a size worth confirming carefully on TRX4 trucks, especially if the vehicle has seen wheel, suspension, or stance changes over time.
Sub-model fitment on the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota is not one-size-fits-all, and some trims can use more than one tire size depending on wheel package. Checking the exact trim matters here because the Dakota spans three rim diameters and four primary sizes.
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2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota Big Horn
The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota Big Horn uses radial tire fitments and can appear with either a 17-inch or 18-inch setup. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before choosing a replacement, since the tire decision starts with the rim already on the truck.
The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota Laramie uses a single radial fitment, which makes sizing more straightforward than on trims with multiple wheel packages. Selection then becomes a matter of matching the existing 18-inch setup and confirming the truck has not been changed from stock wheel dimensions.
The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota Lone Star can use two radial tire sizes tied to different wheel diameters. Buyers should identify the actual wheel package first, then compare replacement choices that preserve the truck's intended proportions and clearance.
The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota ST uses a 16-inch radial fitment that differs from the wider 16-inch TRX4 setup. That distinction matters when selecting a replacement, especially for owners considering an all-terrain tire with specific rim-width and load characteristics.
The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota TRX4 uses its own 16-inch radial fitment with a wider tire than the ST. Tire selection should focus on preserving the proper 16-inch wheel match while checking for any suspension or wheel changes that could affect clearance.
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 Dodge Trucks Dakota Tires for Sale
Available product choices for the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota center on the 16-inch fitments, with BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options in both 245/70R16 and 265/70R16. These radial tires share an RWL sidewall style but differ in rim-width range, load capacity, and overall size.
Common Dakota tire questions usually come down to trim-specific sizing, wheel diameter, 16-inch all-terrain choices, and what to inspect before putting a truck back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota?
A 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota can use 265/60R18, 265/65R17, 245/70R16, or 265/70R16, depending on the sub-model and wheel package. All of these are radial tire sizes, but they are not interchangeable simply because they belong to the same model year.
The most important step is identifying the exact trim and confirming the wheel diameter already on the truck. Big Horn and Lone Star can use either 17-inch or 18-inch fitments, while ST and TRX4 use different 16-inch sizes, so the right choice starts with the truck's actual setup.
What size rim does a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota use?
The 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota uses 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch rim diameters, depending on sub-model and tire size. The primary fitments are 245/70R16 and 265/70R16 on 16-inch rims, 265/65R17 on a 17-inch rim, and 265/60R18 on an 18-inch rim.
Rim diameter needs to be confirmed before a tire is chosen because a 16-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 17-inch or 18-inch wheel. Measuring the wheel or reading the current tire sidewall is a good starting point, especially on trucks that may have been changed from their original wheel package.
Do all 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota does not use one tire size across every sub-model. Laramie uses a single 18-inch fitment, ST uses 245/70R16, TRX4 uses 265/70R16, and both Big Horn and Lone Star can be found with either 265/65R17 or 265/60R18.
That variation means trim name alone may not be enough if the truck could have had more than one wheel package. Looking at the current tire size, checking the wheel diameter, and confirming whether the truck still has its original wheels will prevent ordering a tire that matches the model but not the actual setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota?
Start with the correct size for the exact Dakota trim and wheel diameter, because this model uses four different primary fitments. After that, compare the tire's construction, intended use, rim-width compatibility, load capacity, and overall character rather than assuming any same-diameter truck tire will serve the same role.
A street-driven Dakota and a truck used on rougher roads may call for different priorities even within the correct size. Product details such as sidewall styling, tire series, and load figures become more useful once the fitment is narrowed down to the proper wheel and sub-model.
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota tires?
Among the currently available product choices for this Dakota, the 16-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain options use an RWL sidewall. That means raised white letters, which give the truck a more traditional light-truck appearance than a plain black sidewall would.
Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision once the correct tire size and wheel match are confirmed. On a Dakota, raised white letters can suit a more rugged or period-inspired truck presentation, but the size, rim-width range, and load specifications should still take priority over looks.
What tire series are available for the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota?
The available 16-inch product options for the 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota include the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 series. That series appears in both 245/70R16 and 265/70R16, giving buyers a consistent all-terrain option across two different 16-inch Dakota fitments.
Series name helps describe the tire's intended character, but it should be compared alongside the exact size, rim-width range, and load capacity. A Dakota owner choosing between the two 16-inch offerings should first confirm whether the truck requires the narrower ST fitment or the wider TRX4 fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment still matters on a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota restoration or refurbishment because the truck used multiple factory-style size families across several wheel diameters. Using the right size helps preserve the stance, wheel relationship, and overall look that suits the truck's original trim presentation.
A restoration-minded owner should begin by confirming the sub-model and the actual wheels on the truck, then match the tire size to that setup. If exact originality is important, trim-specific references, build information, and marque expertise are useful for confirming whether the truck still carries its intended wheel package.
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota?
A period-style choice for a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota starts with the tire size that belongs to the truck's trim and wheel diameter. On 16-inch applications where product choices are available, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with raised white letters offers a traditional truck-style visual character.
Appearance should follow fitment, not replace it. A Dakota that originally used 245/70R16 should not automatically move to 265/70R16 just for a fuller look, and trims equipped with 17-inch or 18-inch wheels should stay centered on those correct-diameter setups before any style decision is made.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota even when the tire size matches one of the original fitments. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, offset changes, lift or lowering changes, and body or suspension alterations can all change how a tire sits and clears.
A truck that has been modified should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel compatibility before replacement tires are chosen. This matters even more on Dakota trims that already had multiple wheel-package possibilities, because the vehicle may no longer match the setup it left with.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota on new tires?
Before driving a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware is appropriate, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size for the truck's trim. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and any obvious suspension or alignment issues should be addressed.
A short road test should include checking for rubbing at full steering lock, uneven tracking, vibration, and any sign of interference over bumps. It is also wise to recheck pressure and fastener torque after initial use, especially if the truck has been sitting or recently received wheel or suspension work.
How often should tires on a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota be inspected?
Tires on a 2009 Dodge Trucks Dakota should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks worn. A visual check for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss is especially important on trucks that sit for long periods or are used only occasionally.
Monthly pressure checks and routine condition inspections help catch problems before they become road-use issues. For a Dakota that sees seasonal driving, it also makes sense to inspect tires before any longer trip and after storage, since age and inactivity can matter as much as mileage on a lightly used truck.
