Tire size help

[CountryboyNC]

I usually don’t ask these questions but I’m stuck. I’m swapping my 17x9 wheels and 285/70/17s on my 2019 F-150. I’m installing a 2 inch level and OEM sport 18s. I can’t decide between a 275/70/18 and a 295/70/18. I’m leaning towards the 33 as it won’t effect performance as much, give me a little more space off-road and help with towing. I often tow a 22 foot offshore boat from Raleigh NC to the coast. Any recommendations or pictures would be a great help. Thank you!

 

[Rovertrader]

I’ve run 285/75-18 (35’s) on my 150’s with said 2” lift, really like the look, fits nicely but I do trim/remove the horizontal frame extensions in the lower front wheel wells. Not horrible impact on gearing/mpg, no issues towing if using tow mode as it bumps the shift points.
Given your size suggestions, I prefer the narrower, but that’s really personal preference- most prefer the wider tire.

 

[jbaucom]

I don't recall what gears you have, but if your truck has the 3.31 gears, I'd stick with the 275/70R18 just so that it doesn't impact your gearing too much. If you have 3.55 gears, then the 295/70R18s would feel about like a stock truck with 3.31 gears (that would be the impact of nearly 7% larger tires than stock). Either way, I wouldn't cut or remove my crash bars, because if you've seen offset crash test results with and without the crash bars, you don't want to have the misfortune of being in that type of accident without them. They keep the front wheel from intruding into the driver's footwell.

 

[jbaucom]

Also, FWIW, GM uses the same transmission with the same transmission gearing (but different programming) in 1500s with 275/60R20 (33.2") tires and 3.23 axle gears. If that combination meets their performance requirements with a 5.3 V8, then an F150 with 3.31 gears, more HP, and more torque should perform just fine with that size tire. Also, for 2021 Ford offers 275/60R20s with 3.31 gears. I like the performance of my 5.0 with 3.31 gears and don't want to impact it too much, so when it's time for new tires, I'm putting 275/70R18s on my 2019.

The drawback to 275/70R18 tires is that they fit on a stock F150 4x4, so they may look a little small with a 2" level. I had Bilstein 5100s installed last month set on 1.26" for that reason.

 

[Grassland]

All 275/70R18 are load E most likely.
Should be tons of choice in that size.

 

[phsycle]

Performance wise, 275’s make sense. These fit on stock F150’s, which I had on my old truck.

Looks wise, 295’s would look much better. Will sacrifice some performance but honestly, even if you have 3.31’s, F150’s have power and torque to spare. I’d have zero issues running that size with stock gearing.

 

[CountryboyNC]

Thanks. I have 3.55s with a 3.5l ecoboost so I shouldn’t be hurting too bad. I used to run 285/75/17 and 315/70/17 on my 2013 f150 with the 5.0 and 3.55 and towed my 6000 lbs travel trailer without issue. Just likes the higher revs for the power band

 

[BarryandCassandra]

The Tacoma World tire calculator is also very helpful to establish deltas in size.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiL2umPrd71AhUBlYkEHQPyAQsQFnoECAoQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tacomaworld.com%2Ftirecalc&usg=AOvVaw19Zps39g3inzhidj_cvw_3

 

[phsycle]

Thanks. I have 3.55s with a 3.5l ecoboost so I shouldn’t be hurting too bad. I used to run 285/75/17 and 315/70/17 on my 2013 f150 with the 5.0 and 3.55 and towed my 6000 lbs travel trailer without issue. Just likes the higher revs for the power band

Eco has better torque down low so you won’t notice the difference as much.

I have the same set up (3.5/3.55). I’m in the process of redoing the suspension but as soon as I get that done (prob Icon stg 3), I’m getting 315’s.

 

[CountryboyNC]

I had 315s on my 2013 and loved them, just a little much for towing. I love my 17 inch wheels but again, i went to the 18s for towing

 

[jbaucom]

Those 18" Sport wheels are the best looking wheels Ford offered on on the 2015+ trucks. They're right up there with Raptor wheels for looks.

 

[CountryboyNC]

Went with the 275/70/18s