The 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn sits in the heavy-duty pickup world with a distinctly upscale trim identity, blending serious work capability with a more premium interior and presentation than many one-ton trucks of its era. On this exact model, tire selection starts with identifying whether the truck is single-rear-wheel or dual-rear-wheel, because that determines the primary 17-inch radial fitment. Single-rear-wheel versions use 265/70R17, while DRW versions use 235/80R17. Available choices stay within BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 offerings, with differences in load specification and sidewall presentation depending on size. The right pick depends on matching the truck’s exact configuration, wheel setup, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn
Two tire sizes apply to the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn, and the correct one depends on the truck’s exact sub-model rather than wheel diameter, since both sizes use a 17-inch rim. The first step is confirming whether the truck is a single-rear-wheel or dual-rear-wheel configuration. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to choosing the appropriate radial tire within the correct size and load specification.
265/70R17 is a metric radial size in which 265 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 17 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn, this size belongs to the single-rear-wheel 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. Available options center on the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 series with raised white letter styling and different load specifications. This size is the one to evaluate when the truck is not a DRW model and the owner wants to stay with the proper 17-inch radial fitment.
235/80R17 is a metric radial size where 235 gives the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 17 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn, this size is used on the dual-rear-wheel 4x2 and 4x4 versions. The available choice is a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with a black sidewall treatment and a load specification suited to this fitment. This is the size to confirm when the truck has a DRW setup and requires the narrower 17-inch tire associated with that configuration.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn because tire size changes with the truck’s rear-wheel configuration. Single-rear-wheel models use one size, while dual-rear-wheel versions use another, so identifying the exact sub-model is the first step before comparing tire choices.
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2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4x2
The 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4x2 uses the 265/70R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. Tire selection here is mainly about choosing the correct load specification and confirming the truck still has the proper single-rear-wheel wheel and tire setup.
The 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4x2 (DRW) uses the 235/80R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. That makes the key decision less about style variety and more about matching the narrower dual-rear-wheel fitment and verifying the wheels remain correct for the DRW configuration.
The 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4x4 also uses the 265/70R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. Choosing among available tires means staying with the proper single-rear-wheel fitment while checking load needs, wheel width, and any later suspension or wheel changes.
The 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn 4x4 (DRW) uses the 235/80R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel. Tire choice starts with confirming the truck is still in its dual-rear-wheel configuration, since that fitment differs from the single-rear-wheel 4x4 version despite sharing the same rim diameter.
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 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn Tires for Sale
Available tires for the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn center on BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 radials in both correct sizes. Comparison points include load specification, rim-width range, and sidewall treatment, with raised white letter styling on 265/70R17 and black sidewall presentation on 235/80R17.
Owners usually need to confirm whether their 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn is single-rear-wheel or DRW before choosing tires. The questions below focus on exact size fitment, 17-inch wheel compatibility, product selection, and practical inspection points before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn?
The 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn uses either 265/70R17 or 235/80R17, depending on the truck’s exact configuration. Single-rear-wheel 4x2 and 4x4 models use 265/70R17, while dual-rear-wheel 4x2 (DRW) and 4x4 (DRW) models use 235/80R17.
The key step is identifying whether the truck is SRW or DRW before selecting a tire. Both sizes fit 17-inch wheels, so wheel diameter alone does not settle the question. It is also smart to confirm the truck has not been changed to a different wheel or tire package over time.
What size rim does a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn use?
Both tire sizes used on the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn are built for a 17-inch rim. That means either 265/70R17 or 235/80R17 mounts to a 17-inch wheel, depending on whether the truck is a single-rear-wheel or dual-rear-wheel model.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a heavy-duty truck like this. The correct tire still depends on the exact sub-model, and product specifications also include rim-width ranges that should be checked against the wheels actually on the truck before replacement.
Why does the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn have more than one tire size?
The two tire sizes exist because the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn was offered in both single-rear-wheel and dual-rear-wheel configurations. SRW versions use 265/70R17, while DRW versions use 235/80R17, even though both fit 17-inch wheels.
That difference matters because rear-wheel configuration affects the tire size the truck is built around. A buyer should confirm the exact sub-model first, then check that the current wheels match that configuration. On used trucks, wheel swaps or previous owner changes can create confusion if the truck is inspected only by tire size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 265/70R17 or 235/80R17 tire for a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn?
Start with the correct size for the truck’s configuration, since 265/70R17 belongs to SRW models and 235/80R17 belongs to DRW models. From there, compare radial construction details such as load specification, approved rim-width range, and the tire’s intended use within the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 line.
A heavy-duty pickup places more importance on matching the tire to the wheel and the truck’s real working demands than simply choosing by appearance. Load capacity, wheel width, and any towing or hauling use should be considered alongside the current wheel setup so the replacement remains appropriate for the truck.
What sidewall styles are available for 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn tires?
Sidewall style varies by size on this model. The available 265/70R17 tires use RWL, or raised white letter styling, while the available 235/80R17 tire uses an RBL black sidewall presentation.
That gives owners a visual choice only within the fitment their truck already requires, not across all versions of the model. A single-rear-wheel truck can be compared within the raised white letter 265/70R17 offerings, while a DRW truck should stay focused on the proper 235/80R17 size and its black sidewall format.
What brands offer tires for the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn?
BFGoodrich is the brand available for the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn in the applicable sizes. The current fitment options center on the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series in both 265/70R17 and 235/80R17, with differences in load specification and sidewall treatment by size.
Since the brand choice is narrow here, the more important comparison is between the exact tire specification that matches the truck’s sub-model and use. Checking whether the truck is SRW or DRW, then reviewing the wheel width and load rating details, will do more to narrow the right option than brand shopping alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment still matters even on a newer heavy-duty truck such as the 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn. The right starting point is using the proper size for the truck’s actual configuration: 265/70R17 for SRW models and 235/80R17 for DRW models, both on 17-inch rims.
A restoration-minded owner should also pay attention to how the tire presents visually, since sidewall treatment differs by size. Exact originality questions are best checked against vehicle-specific references, but getting the correct size, construction, and wheel compatibility in place first does the most to preserve an authentic overall stance and look.
Which sidewall style suits a period-style 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn?
The answer depends partly on which fitment the truck requires. The available 265/70R17 choices use raised white letters, while the available 235/80R17 choice uses a black sidewall, so appearance is tied directly to whether the truck is SRW or DRW.
For a period-style presentation, the goal is usually to keep the sidewall treatment in harmony with the truck’s trim, wheels, and intended character rather than chasing a universal look. Owners focused on originality should compare current tire styling with trustworthy photos or marque-specific references before making a final appearance-driven decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn even when the truck still uses a 17-inch wheel. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, leveling kits, and conversions between different wheel packages can all alter the space and wheel dimensions the tire must work with.
The safest approach is to verify the current wheel width, confirm whether the truck is SRW or DRW, and inspect for clearance at the fenders and steering range before replacement. That is especially important on used trucks, where the existing setup may no longer match the original sub-model’s tire specification.
What should I inspect before driving a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tires match the truck’s correct SRW or DRW size, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the tire and the truck’s use. It is also worth checking valve stems, lug torque, and general clearance around suspension and body components.
A heavy-duty truck benefits from a careful recheck after the first miles of driving. Watch for uneven wear, vibration, rubbing, or pressure loss, and look over the spare and the remaining tires if only part of the set was replaced. Those basic checks help catch fitment or installation issues early.
How often should tires on a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn be inspected?
Tires on a 2012 RAM Trucks 3500 Laramie Longhorn should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks low. Pressure, tread wear, cuts, cracking, bulges, and signs of uneven loading are all worth checking, especially on a truck that tows, hauls, or spends long periods parked between uses.
Monthly visual checks are a sensible baseline, with additional inspection before a long trip or heavier work duty. Owners should also watch for wear patterns that suggest alignment or suspension issues, since those problems can shorten tire life even when the correct 265/70R17 or 235/80R17 size is installed.
