The Full Rundown of Ram 1500 Tires

You should replace the tires on your Ram 1500 as soon as you notice they are losing their tread. This can be determined by putting an upside down penny in your tread and if you can see Abe Lincoln’s head, then it is time to get new tires. The lifespan of tires depends heavily on the brand and type, which ultimately comes down to the rubber compound. 

Some rubber compounds wear out faster but give you greater grip. Others may last for a long time, but leave you wanting better performance. If you are looking for a ballpark answer, some tires will need to be replaced after 20,000 to 40,000 miles. It really all depends on the tires, how much you’re driving, and where you’re driving. Mileage aside, this is something your mechanic should be cluing you into when they look over your Ram, or something you should notice when driving. 

As your tires begin to wear out, you will feel the difference in the drivability, especially in inclement weather. When it’s raining and your Ram is sliding around (and you aren’t romping on the throttle) then it is a sign your tires are starting to wear out. 

Another way you can tell is by listening for any squeaking noises while making a low speed turn. When you are in a parking lot and go to make right or left turn, listen to hear if the tires make a squeak/squeal as you turn. If so, this is a sign they may need to be replaced soon. 

You should also replace your tires if there are any deformities like a bulge coming out of the sidewall. That means the integrity of the tire is compromised and you could be risking a blowout. In the same vein, if you see the bands of rubber (which are located beneath the tread and take a long time to wear down to) when you look at your tires, then you will want to immediately replace your tires as you are at risk of a blowout and an accident.

When it comes to slapping a set of rubber on your Ram 1500, you have some options, especially depending upon where you live, what the climate is, and where you plan to drive your truck. Styles of Ram 1500 tires include:

• Summer tires
• Winter tires
• All-season/all-terrain tires
• Off-road/Mud tires

When it comes to getting a grip, you have many options to choose from, all of which will offer you something different.

Summer tires should only be used April through October and in warmer climates. Summer tires require a warmer temperature to be efficient at gripping the road, so you’ll want to be in a climate that has a minimum temperature of 60 degrees; any lower, and they won’t grip well. Summer tires are not very popular for truck tires as summer tires are more designed for speed and performance.

Winter tires should only be used November through March and in regions where you get snow and low temperatures, i.e. sub 40 degrees, regularly. Winter tires use a compound that can wear down quickly on ​normal pavement in average temperatures. This is usually why enthusiasts will buy a set of winter tires they swap out onto their vehicles every year. The soft rubber on winter tires will help your Ram to get traction in snowy weather with ease.

All-terrain tires are the most common tires on trucks on the road. All-terrain offer good grip all year round, in all different climates and weather, while holding their own in light off-road jaunts. All-terrain Ram 1500 truck tires are a jack of all trades, master of none; they will do what the other styles of tires do, but not as good as them. 

All-terrain tires are what comes on the Ram 1500 when you buy it from the dealer. If you want to stick with all-terrain tires, you can still upgrade from the stock compound to something with a little more grip. Although they are “all-terrain” tires, if you get snow and harsh winters, you should still seriously consider getting a set of snow tires.

Off-road tires have the tall order of giving you the traction you need in the lousiest of terrains and conditions, yet somehow they do—even when you stomp on it. If you take your Ram 1500 off-road and really want to get the most out of the experience, then adding a set of mud tires to your build will make your truck feel like a trophy truck. 

The veins of the tread on mud tires are typically pretty thick and deep, allowing them to really dig in and pull you through the thickest of mud pits. Mud tires will be louder on the road than the other options listed above, however none of them will even begin to compare to the amount of grip you can get off-road with mud tires.

If you have a ​blowout or a bad puncture in one of your Ram’s tires, then you will need to replace the one on the other side. It’s regarded as a best practice that you replace the corresponding tire on the other side of the axle as well as the faulty one on the other end. This helps to keep tread wear in check with each other, as well as maintain your drivability.