The 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT was built as a heavy-duty work pickup, aimed at owners who value payload, towing capability, and straightforward utility more than trim-level flash. On a truck like this, tire choice is closely tied to the exact wheel and axle configuration rather than appearance alone. This Silverado 3500 HD WT uses radial tires, with fitment split between 235/80R17 and 265/70R18 depending on sub-model. That makes wheel diameter and DRW versus non-DRW setup the key starting points. Once the correct size is confirmed, the real decision becomes selecting a tire that matches the truck's intended use, load demands, and actual wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT
Two primary tire sizes apply to the 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT, and they do not serve the same configurations. Fitment changes by sub-model and wheel diameter, so the first step is confirming whether the truck is a DRW version or an 18-inch-wheel WT configuration. Once that is settled, the choice shifts to selecting the right radial tire for the truck's load demands and intended road use.
235/80R17 is a metric radial size in which 235 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 17 is the rim diameter in inches. On this Silverado 3500 HD WT, it is one of the primary fitments tied to the 17-inch wheel setup used on DRW-related configurations. Available product coverage in this size includes a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 with an RBL sidewall and a 6.0 to 7.5 inch rim-width range. This size is the one to evaluate when the truck retains its 17-inch wheel package and work-oriented heavy-duty configuration.
265/70R18 is a metric radial size where 265 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 18 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT, this size applies to the Base and Snow Plow Prep Package configurations that use 18-inch wheels rather than the DRW-related 17-inch setup. The practical significance is straightforward: this is not a substitute for the 17-inch fitment, but the correct starting point for the matching sub-model. Confirming the truck's wheel diameter before selection is essential.
2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT Sub-Model Tires
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT because tire size changes with configuration. The most important distinction is between DRW versions using 17-inch fitment and other WT versions using 18-inch fitment, so the exact sub-model should be confirmed before choosing tires.
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2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT (DRW)
The 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT (DRW) uses the 235/80R17 radial size on a 17-inch wheel setup. Tire selection here starts with retaining that wheel diameter and choosing a tire built for the truck's heavy-duty use rather than assuming the 18-inch WT fitment also applies.
The 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT Base uses the 265/70R18 radial size. That means the right tire search begins with the 18-inch wheel package, making wheel confirmation the key step before comparing product style, tread character, and load-related specifications.
2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT Snow Plow Prep Pkg.
The 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT Snow Plow Prep Pkg. uses the 265/70R18 radial size. For this configuration, the most important point is staying with the correct 18-inch fitment first, then evaluating tires that suit winter-duty, work-truck, and heavier-use expectations.
2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT Snow Plow Prep Pkg. (DRW)
The 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT Snow Plow Prep Pkg. (DRW) uses the 235/80R17 radial size. Because it shares the DRW-related 17-inch setup, tire choice should focus on that size and on verifying the current wheel configuration before considering any alternative product.
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 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT Tires for Sale
Available product coverage for this Silverado 3500 HD WT currently centers on 235/80R17, with a BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 radial option featuring an RBL sidewall and compatibility with 6.0 to 7.5 inch rim widths. That makes size confirmation especially important before comparing products.
Owners of a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT usually need clarity on size differences between DRW and non-DRW setups, 17-inch versus 18-inch wheels, radial tire selection, and the inspections that matter before putting a heavy-duty work truck back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT?
The 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT uses two primary tire sizes: 235/80R17 and 265/70R18. Both are radial sizes, but they do not apply to the same truck configuration. DRW versions use 235/80R17, while the Base and Snow Plow Prep Package configurations use 265/70R18.
The practical step is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before choosing a tire. A WT truck with 17-inch DRW fitment should stay within that size family, while an 18-inch-wheel truck needs the 265/70R18 fitment. If the truck has been modified with different wheels, verify the actual installed wheel size before ordering tires.
What size rim does a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT use?
Rim size depends on the specific 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT configuration. Trucks using 235/80R17 have a 17-inch rim diameter, while trucks using 265/70R18 have an 18-inch rim diameter. The model does not use one universal wheel diameter across all covered sub-models.
That means wheel diameter should be checked before any tire decision is made. Looking only at the truck's model name is not enough when both 17-inch and 18-inch fitments exist. A quick confirmation of the installed wheel size, along with whether the truck is DRW or not, prevents choosing a tire that belongs to a different setup.
Why does the 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears because the 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT spans different heavy-duty configurations. The DRW and Snow Plow Prep Pkg. (DRW) versions use 235/80R17, while the Base and Snow Plow Prep Pkg. use 265/70R18. The size difference follows the truck's wheel and configuration changes.
For the buyer, that means fitment is configuration-driven rather than a matter of preference alone. The first job is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter already on the truck. Once that is established, attention can shift to tire construction, tread style, load-related specifications, and the kind of work or road use the truck actually sees.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 235/80R17 tire for a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT?
A 235/80R17 tire for this Silverado 3500 HD WT should first match the correct DRW-related 17-inch configuration. Construction is radial, and available product coverage includes the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in LT235/80R17/E form with a 3,085 lbs at 80 psi maximum load capacity and an RBL sidewall.
Beyond size alone, compare the tire's intended use with the truck's actual job. An all-terrain design may suit mixed road and work conditions, but wheel compatibility still matters, including the stated 6.0 to 7.5 inch rim-width range. It also helps to check whether the truck still carries its original-style wheel setup or has been changed since new.
What sidewall styles are available for 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT tires?
Current product coverage for the 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT includes an RBL sidewall style in the available 235/80R17 BFGoodrich offering. RBL refers to a raised black letter presentation, which gives the tire a more pronounced truck-style sidewall appearance than a plain blackwall treatment.
Sidewall style does not change the basic fitment requirement, but it can affect how the truck looks once mounted. On a work-oriented heavy-duty pickup, some owners prefer a more utility-focused appearance while others want a more aggressive truck look. The right place to start is still the correct size and wheel diameter for the specific WT configuration.
What brands offer tires for the 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT?
Available product coverage for this 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT currently includes BFGoodrich in the 235/80R17 size. The tire series represented is the All-Terrain T/A KO2, which places the emphasis on a truck-oriented radial option rather than on multiple appearance-driven vintage styles.
Brand choice should still come after fitment confirmation. Since this truck uses more than one primary tire size, the first check is whether the vehicle is on the 17-inch DRW setup or the 18-inch configuration. From there, compare the available product's construction, rim-width compatibility, load-related specifications, and tread character against the truck's expected use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT?
A period-style approach on a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT starts with using the correct original fitment size for the truck's actual configuration. That means 235/80R17 on DRW versions and 265/70R18 on the Base and Snow Plow Prep Package versions, all in radial construction.
Because this is a modern heavy-duty pickup rather than a vintage restoration vehicle, appearance usually follows configuration and function more than sidewall nostalgia. A truck that keeps its original wheel diameter and proper tire proportions will generally look more consistent than one wearing an incorrect size. Checking the current wheels is especially important if the truck has seen fleet or owner modifications.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters because the Silverado 3500 HD WT uses different tire sizes across different configurations. A restoration-minded truck should retain the proper relationship between tire size, wheel diameter, and sub-model setup rather than mixing 17-inch DRW fitment with 18-inch non-DRW fitment.
Appearance is only part of the reason. Proper fitment also helps preserve the truck's intended stance, clearance, and load-oriented character. On a later heavy-duty pickup, restoration accuracy often comes down to using the right wheel-and-tire package for the specific version of the truck. That makes sub-model confirmation just as important as the tire size itself.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, leveling or lowering kits, and body modifications can all alter the relationship between the tire, wheel opening, steering components, and load-carrying setup. That matters even when the tire size itself looks close.
A truck with changes from stock should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock and suspension movement. DRW trucks also need careful confirmation that the chosen size belongs to the correct wheel setup. On a heavy-duty pickup, a fitment mistake is more than cosmetic because the truck may be expected to carry or tow substantial loads.
What should I inspect before driving a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT on new tires?
Before driving on new tires, inspect the wheel diameter and width, verify that the installed tire size matches the truck's exact configuration, and confirm proper inflation for the tire and vehicle application. It also helps to look over the wheels themselves for damage, corrosion, or bead-seat issues before the truck returns to service.
A heavy-duty truck should also be checked for suspension wear, steering looseness, and any rubbing around fenders or inner wheel areas. Lug-nut torque, valve-stem condition, and even tire spacing on DRW setups deserve attention. Those checks help the truck track properly and reduce the chance of discovering a clearance or mounting issue after load is added.
How often should tires on a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT be inspected?
Tires on a 2016 Chevrolet Trucks Silverado 3500 HD WT should be inspected regularly, not just at replacement time. A heavy-duty work truck benefits from frequent checks for uneven wear, punctures, cuts, sidewall damage, tread condition, and signs of air loss. Tire condition can change quickly when the truck sees towing, hauling, or rough jobsite surfaces.
A practical routine is to look over the tires before longer trips and at regular intervals during normal use. Low-use trucks should not be ignored either, since age, weather exposure, and long stationary periods can still affect tire condition. Keeping an eye on pressure and wear pattern also helps reveal alignment, suspension, or loading issues before they become more serious.
