Trucks, Tech, Reviews, ADV Travel
Cooper STT PRO LT295/65R20 after the first 2,381 miles.
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Question: How much spare tire can you fit under your truck?
Answer: It depends.
This post is about squeezing a large (35.4-inches) tire into the stock location on a late-model, fourth-generation, Dodge Ram Cummins pickup.
Both my Ram 2500 trucks (2014 and 2017) have had the tailpipe heat shield removed to facilitate winching a much larger tire into the factory spot. Obviously a bigger tire sits closer to the tailpipe. Only you can decide if it’s too close for you and your application. This Cooper Tires STT PRO is only about one-inch from the tailpipe; close!
For several years I have carried oversized rubber in the factory location on my fourth-generation Ram/Cummins trucks, mostly tires that were 34.8-inches tall. The 295/65R20 Cooper Discoverer STT PRO is substantially taller.
My 2017 has less room overall than my 2014, as the factory trailer hitch receiver is still in place. (It was removed on the 2014.) There are also steel plates on the inside of the frame to mount the Hillsboro 2000-Series aluminum flatbed. The 3/8-inch plates, one on each side, consume 0.75-inches.
There are advantages to choosing 35-inch or smaller tires on late-model, heavy-duty trucks instead of the popular 37-inch versions, particularly if they will fit in the factory spare location. These include, but are not limited to, not needing an additional tire carrier or pushing a truck camper further aft to fit a spare in front of the camper (which increases rear-overhang, tail-swing, and impacts weight distribution). Unless your rig is geared low—and most new vehicles have tall gearing—the taller overall gearing that results from fitting larger diameter tires is often a negative, as it results in less torque at the wheels.
Many should ask themselves if they really need the extra clearance provided by 37-inch rubber, or are they just following the crowd, and potentially making unnecessary compromises. There are positives and negatives for nearly every modification and upgrade choice. Generally we need to give something to get something. Everyone should decide for themselves if the juice is worth the squeeze.
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James Langan
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Attempted to establish a baseline for fuel economy/mpg at 65 mph, with the 35.4″-tall, 295/65R20 Cooper STT PRO tires under a heavy Hallmark flatbed truck camper outfit. There was too much wind for this to be a true baseline, but efficiency was still good for this not-aerodynamic configuration; just under 13 mpg. I probably will revisit this in the future.
Subsequent test with better conditions can be viewed here: Truck Camper MPG Testing
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Recent photoshoot (June 2020) with Cooper Discoverer STT PRO, 35.4″-tall, 295/65R20 tires. My 2014 Ram crew cab with Cummins Diesel and stock-height suspension was the model. Pressures were 27 in front, 17 in the rear.
Disclaimer: As with all things, proceed at your own risk, only you can decide what is appropriate given your training, experience, knowledge, the conditions, etc.
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James Langan
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