With a Chevy 1500, you’re all set to hit the road and have a lot of fun. Whether you like to take the truck off-roading or you’re looking for a good work truck, you can’t go wrong with this make and model of truck. But you need the right tires. So, today I’ll answer the question you’re asking: how big of tires can I fit on my Chevy 1500?
Maybe when it comes to tires, you think the bigger, the better. But before you put on enormous tires, you’ve got to know exactly what your Chevy 1500 can take.
Key Takeaways
- The Chevy 1500’s default tire size is 31.6 inches.
- If you make certain modifications to your Chevy 1500, you can put on a tire as large as 33.5 inches.
- There is extra expense involved with larger tires, and you might end up with a voided warranty on your Chevy 1500.
What is the Biggest Tire for a Chevy 1500?
The biggest tire size that will fit on a Chevy 1500 is the 33.5 inch. This is slightly larger than the standard tires that come with your truck when it comes from the factory, which are typically 31.6 inches.
If you have stock suspension on the truck, you’ll be limited to a 33.5 inches tire maximum. You’ll have to do some trimming to accommodate tires of this size.
Trimming is the process of removing the plastic of the well for the wheel. It means you can use a larger wheel without a lot of rubbing.
There’s a limit to how much trimming you can do, so keep that in mind.
Yes, the Chevy 1500 is a larger than average truck, but you still have a limited wheel arch clearance. So, tires that are too large will start to rub on the truck’s underside and could ruin the tire.
When the tire is larger than 33.5 inches, your truck’s mud flaps won’t be effective. Also, you may need to use a heat gun to help mold and then move away the fenders, so they don’t rub on the tire.
It’s possible you’ll also have to do some other modifications.
Why Should I Put Larger Tires on My Chevy 1500?
Many drivers will stick with the standard tire size that came with their Chevy 1500. But it can be a lot of fun to use larger tires.
There are a number of advantages to putting larger tires on your truck. Let’s take a look at some of them.
You’re Higher Up From the Ground
The larger wheels and the bigger tires means that you get more clearance off the ground.
Better Control on Some Surfaces
Larger tires will give you more control when it comes to traveling on pavement, gravel, and dirt.
They will provide you with more contact between pavement and rubber, giving you some of the traction that you need.
Superior Load Capacity
Larger tires often offer a better load capacity.
Larger Surface Area
The larger a tire, the larger its surface area. A larger surface area will help you travel better while also helping the tires last longer.
When are Bigger Tires Bad for Your Chevy 1500?
They definitely look cool on your vehicle, but there are some reasons why they may not be the best for your Chevy 1500.
Here are some of these disadvantages.
Extra Cost
The larger tires and the kits that come with them can be expensive. Also, the upgrades that you will need to do will get expensive.
Lower Fuel Efficiency
These larger tires are going to reduce your fuel economy from the tires. If you like to do off-roading or spend time driving on the highway, this can be a bad thing.
Increase in Height May be Too Much
The increase to your truck’s height is going to change its center of gravity. This can make it more difficult to handle, especially if you need to do the lane changes quickly.
More Monitoring for Tire Pressure
You’ll need to update the tire pressure monitoring system, as well as your odometer. If you don’t, you’ll get inaccurate readouts.
May Put Your Warranty in Jeopardy
The lift kit that you choose will often void your Chevy 1500’s warranty. So, you may want to wait until the warranty expires before you get bigger tires.
Will Bigger Tires Make More Noise?
There are some things to look for if you’re how much noise tires will make. Here are some of the factors to consider.
Tread Pattern
A wide and deep tread pattern is going to make more of a whining sound while you’re driving.
You should find a tire with a tread pattern that is vertical and close. You’ll have less noise with those.
If you go with a larger all-terrain type of tire, you may notice that the sound is similar to the stock tires that were on the Chevy 1500 when you purchased it.
Final Thoughts: How Big Of Tires Can Fit On My Chevy 1500?
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to put larger tires on your Chevy 1500. But you need to consider whether you want to put in the extra work and deal with the extra expense.
Now you know both the advantages and disadvantages of putting larger tires on your truck, you can make the right decision for your needs.