The 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 sits in the modern full-size pickup market as a truck expected to handle everyday road use, work duty, and trim-dependent appearance upgrades without losing its basic utility. That matters for tire selection because this Sierra 1500 uses several different radial sizes across its sub-model range, from 17-inch applications to larger 20-inch and 22-inch wheel fitments. The main decision is not simply choosing a tire by model name, but matching the correct size to the truck’s exact trim and wheel diameter. Once that is confirmed, the focus shifts to load capacity, rim-width compatibility, and whether an all-terrain raised-white-letter tire suits how the truck is actually used.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500
The 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 uses five primary tire sizes, and they vary by sub-model and wheel diameter. Every fitment here is a radial, but the first step is still confirming the truck’s exact trim and whether it is on a 17-inch, 18-inch, 20-inch, or 22-inch wheel before comparing tire choices.
A 255/70R17 tire uses a 255-millimeter section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500, this is one of the 17-inch radial fitments and belongs to specific sub-model and wheel combinations rather than the entire model line. Its tall-sidewall metric format reflects a practical light-truck style sizing approach aimed at balancing everyday ride height and utility. This size should be chosen only after confirming that the truck is equipped with the correct 17-inch wheel setup rather than one of the Sierra’s larger factory wheel diameters.
A 265/70R17 tire is a metric radial size with a 265-millimeter section width, a 70-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. For the 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500, this size appears on selected 17-inch applications and is available in BFGoodrich’s All-Terrain T/A KO2 series with raised white letter sidewalls. The available versions also differ in load capacity and weight, which makes this size more than a simple width choice. It is a strong fitment to evaluate when the truck uses a 17-inch wheel and the goal includes a more all-terrain-oriented tire presentation.
A 275/55R20 tire combines a 275-millimeter section width with a 55-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500, this size serves selected trims that use a larger factory wheel than the 17-inch and 18-inch setups. The lower profile compared with the 70-series 17-inch sizes gives it a distinctly different sizing character within the Sierra range. This is the size to consider only when the truck is already on the correct 20-inch wheel, since wheel diameter is the first fitment checkpoint on this model.
A 285/45R22 tire uses a 285-millimeter section width, a 45-series profile, radial construction, and a 22-inch rim diameter. Within the 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 lineup, this size is tied to upper-end wheel packages rather than the smaller-diameter truck fitments. Its larger wheel diameter and shorter sidewall create a different visual and fitment profile from the 17-inch and 18-inch Sierra applications. This size belongs on a truck with the correct 22-inch wheel setup already in place, and it should be evaluated with close attention to wheel specifications and overall clearance.
A 265/65R18 tire is a metric radial size with a 265-millimeter section width, a 65-series aspect ratio, and an 18-inch rim diameter. For the 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500, it fills the middle ground between the truck’s 17-inch and 20-inch-plus fitments, making it specific to certain trims and wheel packages. The sizing format keeps a substantial sidewall while stepping up to an 18-inch wheel. It should be selected only after confirming that the truck is equipped with an 18-inch wheel rather than a similar-looking Sierra setup that uses a different rim diameter and tire code.
Tire fitment on the 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 changes meaningfully by sub-model, so trim identification comes before tire selection. Base, SLE, SLT, and Denali configurations do not all share the same wheel diameter or tire size range.
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2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 Base
The 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 Base uses 17-inch radial tire fitments, with either 255/70R17 or 265/70R17 depending on the truck’s wheel setup. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before choosing between a standard replacement size and an all-terrain style option within the correct 17-inch fitment.
The 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 Denali uses larger-diameter radial fitments, with 275/55R20 and 285/45R22 applications tied to its wheel package. Tire selection here starts with confirming whether the truck is on 20-inch or 22-inch wheels, since the two sizes are not interchangeable choices.
The 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 SLE has the widest fitment spread, covering 17-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch radial sizes. Because this trim can use several different wheel diameters, matching the exact tire to the truck’s current wheel setup matters more than assuming all SLE models share one standard size.
The 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 SLT uses 18-inch, 20-inch, or 22-inch radial tire fitments depending on the truck’s wheel package. The practical takeaway is to verify wheel diameter first, then compare tire choices within the correct size for the truck’s intended road use and appearance.
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 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 Tires for Sale
Available product choice is concentrated in 265/70R17, where BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options share radial construction and raised white letter sidewalls but differ in load capacity, weight, and rim-width compatibility details that matter for how the truck is equipped and used.
The most useful questions for a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 center on trim-specific tire sizing, wheel diameter, radial fitment, product selection, and the checks to make before putting a truck back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500?
The 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 uses five primary tire sizes: 255/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18, 275/55R20, and 285/45R22. All of them are radial sizes, but they do not apply across the full Sierra 1500 range in the same way because fitment changes with sub-model and wheel package.
The most important next step is confirming the truck’s exact trim and wheel diameter before choosing a tire. A Base, SLE, SLT, or Denali may use different wheel sizes, and that affects which tire code belongs on the truck. The right starting point is always the actual wheel currently on the vehicle.
What size rim does a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 use?
A 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 can use 17-inch, 18-inch, 20-inch, or 22-inch rims depending on the sub-model and wheel package. The tire sizes tied to those rims are 255/70R17 and 265/70R17 for 17-inch wheels, 265/65R18 for 18-inch wheels, 275/55R20 for 20-inch wheels, and 285/45R22 for 22-inch wheels.
That range means wheel diameter should be verified before any tire order or comparison. Even within the same Sierra 1500 trim family, one truck may be on a different factory-style wheel than another. Checking the wheel itself and matching the tire’s final rim-diameter number to it prevents the most common fitment mistake.
Do all 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 sub-models use the same tire size?
No, the 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 sub-models do not all use the same tire size. Base models use 17-inch sizes, Denali uses 20-inch or 22-inch sizes, SLE can use 17-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch sizes, and SLT can use 18-inch, 20-inch, or 22-inch sizes.
That variation means trim name alone is helpful, but not always enough by itself. A buyer should also confirm the truck’s actual wheel diameter and current setup, especially if the wheels may have been changed over time. On this Sierra, the correct tire decision starts with the specific sub-model and the wheels currently on the truck.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 265/70R17 tire for a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500?
A 265/70R17 tire for a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 should first be matched to a truck that actually uses that 17-inch fitment. Within that size, the available BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 options share radial construction and raised white letter sidewalls, but they differ in load capacity, weight, and exact size specification.
The useful comparison points are wheel compatibility, intended use, and how much load capacity the truck needs. One 265/70R17 KO2 is rated at 2,470 lbs @ 50 psi, while another is rated at 3,195 lbs @ 80 psi. Matching that difference to the truck’s wheel setup and duty cycle is more important than choosing by size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 tires?
Within the currently available products for this 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 fitment range, 265/70R17 options are offered with RWL sidewalls. That means raised white letter styling, which gives the tire a more traditional truck and all-terrain appearance than a plain black sidewall presentation.
Sidewall style does not change the need to match the correct size, rim diameter, and wheel application first. Once those basics are confirmed, sidewall treatment becomes an appearance choice that can support the truck’s overall look. On a Sierra 1500 with 17-inch all-terrain tires, RWL creates a distinctly more aggressive visual character.
What brands offer tires for the 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500?
BFGoodrich is represented in the available 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 product selection, specifically in 265/70R17 through the All-Terrain T/A KO2 series. The current product spread for this fitment is not a broad cross-brand assortment, so the main comparison is between versions of the same tire line rather than between several manufacturers.
That makes it especially important to compare the details inside the size rather than assuming every 265/70R17 serves the same role. Load capacity, inflation-related load specification, weight, and wheel-width suitability can matter as much as brand name. The correct choice depends on how the Sierra is equipped and what kind of use it sees.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500?
A period-style approach for a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 usually means staying with the truck’s correct trim-specific tire size and matching the wheel diameter already on the vehicle. Because this is a modern truck with radial-only primary fitments, the visual decision is more about preserving the truck’s intended stance and wheel-and-tire balance than choosing between vintage constructions.
Appearance should follow fitment, not replace it. A Base, SLE, SLT, or Denali can sit on very different wheel packages, so the right tire starts with the exact size tied to that setup. From there, details such as sidewall presentation and tread character can help keep the truck’s overall look consistent with its trim level.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500?
Construction is straightforward on a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 because the primary fitments are radial across the board. That means the visible appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial concerns and more from size, sidewall height, wheel diameter, and whether the tire has a plain or raised white letter presentation.
On a truck of this era, keeping the correct radial size for the wheel package does the most to preserve the intended look. A 17-inch Sierra with a taller-sidewall tire presents differently from a 22-inch Denali setup, even though both are correct within their own applications. Matching those proportions is the key visual decision.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 even when the tire size looks close to stock. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, suspension lifts or drops, and body modifications can all change how much room the tire has at the fender, frame, and steering components.
A truck that has been changed from its original wheel package should be checked carefully before using any stock-style size as a replacement. Clearance at full steering lock and through suspension travel matters just as much as the size printed on the sidewall. The more the truck has been altered, the more important physical verification becomes.
What should I inspect before driving a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 on new tires?
Before driving a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the truck’s actual setup, and make sure inflation is appropriate for the selected tire. It also helps to check for visible issues such as damaged wheels, uneven wear patterns, or signs of alignment trouble.
A short road test and a follow-up inspection are worthwhile after installation. Listen for rubbing, verify steering feels normal, and recheck pressure once the truck has been driven. On a Sierra 1500 with multiple possible wheel packages, those basic checks help catch a mismatch early before regular driving or heavier-duty use begins.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500?
Before a longer drive, a 2016 GMC Trucks Sierra 1500 should have its tire pressures checked cold, the tread and sidewalls inspected for cuts or bulges, and the spare and road wheels looked over for condition. It is also smart to confirm that all four tires match the truck’s intended size and that there are no signs of unusual wear.
Longer trips put more emphasis on heat, sustained speed, and consistent loading, so any small fitment or condition problem tends to show up faster. A Sierra 1500 that tows, carries gear, or runs larger wheel packages especially benefits from a careful pre-drive inspection. Catching air loss or contact issues early can prevent a roadside interruption.
