2011 RAM Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

2011 RAM Trucks vehicles use ten tire sizes across nine model cores: 275/60R20, 265/70R17, 275/70R17, and 285/45R22 for the 1500; 265/70R17, 285/70R17, and 245/70R17 for the 2500; 265/70R17 and 235/80R17 for the 3500 Big Horn, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, SLT, and ST; 265/70R17 for the 3500 Outdoorsman; and 265/60R18, 265/65R17, and 245/70R16 for the Dakota. Rim diameters span 16, 17, 18, 20, and 22 inches, so there is no single RAM-wide fitment for the year.

That means the first identification step is the exact model, and the second is the wheel diameter currently on the truck. Even within the full-size line, a 1500, 2500, and 3500 can share a 17-inch wheel diameter while using different section widths, aspect ratios, and load capacities. Matching the actual truck to the correct size before comparing brands or tread patterns will narrow the search much faster and avoid crossing over into another RAM model's fitment.

On a 2011 RAM Trucks tire, 265/70R17 is a metric radial size. The 265 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, the R means radial construction, and 17 is the wheel diameter in inches. This size appears across the broadest part of the 2011 RAM lineup, covering the 1500, 2500, and most 3500 trims.

Because 265/70R17 spans both lighter-duty and heavier-duty trucks, the size code alone does not tell the whole story. The actual tire can carry different load indexes and inflation requirements even though the basic dimensions are the same. On a 2011 RAM Trucks application, that makes it important to read the full sidewall marking and match the tire's load capacity to the truck's intended work rather than assuming every 265/70R17 is interchangeable.

No, 2011 RAM Trucks models do not all use the same tire size. The 1500 alone uses four different sizes, the 2500 uses three, most 3500 trims use one of two 17-inch sizes, and the Dakota uses its own 16-, 17-, and 18-inch fitments. The only size shared widely across the range is 265/70R17, and even that does not cover every 2011 RAM model.

That model-by-model variation has a practical effect: year and make are only the starting point. A buyer with a 2011 RAM Trucks Dakota should not assume a 17-inch full-size truck tire applies, and a 3500 owner should not assume a 17-inch size from a 1500 is appropriate. Confirm the model badge and the wheel diameter on the truck before narrowing the choice further.

2011 RAM Trucks tires in the currently covered sizes appear with either raised white letters or raised black letters depending on size. The 265/70R17, 285/70R17, 245/70R17, and 245/70R16 products use RWL sidewalls, while the 235/80R17 uses an RBL sidewall. All of them are radial truck tires, but the sidewall treatment changes the truck's appearance significantly.

Raised white letters suit many late-model pickup restorations and period-correct off-road looks, especially on 1500 and 2500 applications with an all-terrain character. Raised black letters give a more restrained appearance that often fits a heavy-duty work-truck presentation. If visual authenticity matters on a 2011 RAM Trucks build, match the sidewall style to the truck's original look and the way you want the finished truck to present.

BFGoodrich covers the currently represented 2011 RAM Trucks product range, with All-Terrain T/A KO2 applications in 265/70R17, 285/70R17, 245/70R17, 235/80R17, and 245/70R16. Those sizes span part of the 17-inch heavy-duty range as well as one of the Dakota's 16-inch fitments. Every covered product here is a radial truck tire with load-carrying specs aimed at real pickup use.

For a 2011 RAM Trucks owner, that means the brand choice within these sizes is straightforward, but the specification choice still matters. A 265/70R17 for a light-duty application and a 265/70R17 for a heavier truck can differ substantially in load index and inflation pressure. Focus first on the correct size and service requirement for the truck, then choose the sidewall style and exact version that best suits how the RAM will be used.

The two BFGoodrich 265/70R17 options for 2011 RAM Trucks share the same overall size, radial construction, RWL sidewall style, 17-inch rim diameter, and 7.0-to-9.0-inch rim width range. The difference is in service capacity: one carries a 112S marking with 2,470 pounds maximum load at 50 psi and weighs 45.7 pounds, while the other carries a 121S marking with 3,195 pounds maximum load at 80 psi and weighs 53.5 pounds.

That distinction matters most when the same 265/70R17 size appears across 1500, 2500, and 3500 applications. A lighter-duty truck may not need the heavier-capacity version, while a truck used for towing, payload, or more demanding work should be matched to the appropriate load specification. The wheel diameter is the same in both cases, but the operating role of the truck should guide the final choice.

Several 2011 RAM Trucks sizes have defined rim width ranges. The 265/70R17 fits 7.0 to 9.0-inch rims, the 285/70R17 fits 7.5 to 9.5-inch rims, the 245/70R17 fits 6.5 to 8.0-inch rims, the 235/80R17 fits 6.0 to 7.5-inch rims, and the 245/70R16 fits 6.5 to 7.0-inch rims. Those dimensions matter just as much as wheel diameter when choosing a replacement tire.

A tire can share the correct 17-inch bead seat yet still be a poor match if the wheel is too narrow or too wide for the intended size. That is especially relevant across 2011 RAM Trucks 2500 and 3500 fitments, where several 17-inch sizes exist with different approved rim-width windows. Check the wheel itself before ordering, particularly if the truck has aftermarket wheels or a history of wheel-package changes.

The covered 2011 RAM Trucks products are modern radial truck tires, and no tube-type marking appears on these sizes. That points to tubeless construction for the represented 265/70R17, 285/70R17, 245/70R17, 235/80R17, and 245/70R16 applications rather than an inner-tube setup. These are contemporary truck fitments, not vintage tube-type bias-ply sizes.

Even so, tube use is never something to improvise. If a 2011 RAM Trucks wheel has damage, corrosion at the bead seat, or an unusual aftermarket design, solve the wheel issue rather than assuming a tube is the answer. A clean, correct tubeless wheel and a healthy valve stem are the right foundation before mounting any modern radial truck tire.

A 2011 RAM Trucks vehicle stores best on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment. Wash road film off the tires before long storage, and avoid parking on damp soil or surfaces that trap moisture. Modern radials tolerate storage well, but they still age faster when exposed to heat and ozone.

If the truck will sit for months, move it periodically to change the tire contact patch or place it on stands according to safe shop practice so the suspension remains supported correctly. Full-size RAM trucks are heavy enough that long stationary periods can stress one area of the tread. A breathable cover and regular pressure checks will do more for tire life than simply parking the truck and forgetting it.

On a 2011 RAM Trucks vehicle, tire age matters more than mileage once the truck becomes a low-use or collector vehicle. A sensible rule is to begin close inspection around five to seven years from the manufacturing date and to treat about ten years as the outer edge for continued service, even if the tread still looks usable. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the best way to establish that age.

That guideline is especially important on trucks that see seasonal use, towing duty, or long periods of storage between drives. A 2011 RAM Trucks tire can look serviceable and still harden, crack, or lose reserve strength with age. If the truck is used for hauling or highway travel, age-related replacement is cheap insurance compared with trying to stretch the life of an older tire.

Tires on a 2011 RAM Trucks vehicle should be checked before every drive and given a closer inspection before any longer trip. Look for cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, exposed cords, and any tire that will not hold its intended pressure. On a truck platform, shoulder wear and irregular tread wear can also point to alignment or suspension issues that deserve attention.

A second layer of inspection every few months is worthwhile even if the truck is not driven often. Measure tread depth, check valve stems, and inspect the inner sidewall where damage is easy to miss. Catching a problem while the truck is still in the garage is far better than discovering it after loading a 2011 RAM Trucks pickup for a trip or work day.

The covered 2011 RAM Trucks tire products are modern radial truck tires, which are well suited to highway use when the size, load rating, and inflation are matched to the truck. Speed ratings in the represented sizes include S at 112 mph, Q at 99 mph, and R at 106 mph. Those ceilings are well above normal U.S. highway speeds, although heavy-duty use, payload, towing, and the truck's own chassis condition matter more than top-speed capability in real driving.

Highway safety on a 2011 RAM Trucks pickup depends on the complete system: correct tire size, proper load capacity, healthy shocks and steering parts, sound brakes, and stable inflation pressure under load. A tire with ample speed rating can still be the wrong choice if it is overloaded or mounted on the wrong rim width. Match the tire to the truck's real working role, not just to the wheel diameter.

Inflation pressure on 2011 RAM Trucks tires depends on the exact size and service version. Among the covered products, 265/70R17 appears at 50 psi for a 2,470-pound maximum load and 80 psi for a 3,195-pound maximum load, 285/70R17 appears at 50 psi for 2,755 pounds and 80 psi for 3,195 pounds, 245/70R17 is rated at 80 psi for 3,000 pounds, 235/80R17 at 80 psi for 3,085 pounds, and 245/70R16 at 65 psi for 2,535 pounds.

Those figures are the tire's rated maximum load pressures, not universal set-and-forget operating pressures for every 2011 RAM Trucks application. Use the truck manufacturer's recommendation as the starting point for normal service, then confirm that the selected tire's load-and-pressure capability suits the truck's job. Never transfer a pressure figure from one RAM size to another just because both happen to fit a similar-looking truck.

Before a longer drive in a 2011 RAM Trucks vehicle, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of prior impact damage. Verify cold inflation pressure, check valve stems, and confirm the spare is usable and properly inflated. On a truck that may haul or tow, also make sure the tires' load capacity matches the expected load for the trip.

Tires are only one part of the pre-drive routine on a full-size or midsize pickup of this age. It also makes sense to check brakes, steering feel, suspension condition, wheel-lug torque, and fluid levels before a sustained run. A 2011 RAM Trucks model in good mechanical order can cover highway miles confidently, but the preparation should be as workmanlike as the truck itself.