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Your dually carries weight on six tires at once, and that is the whole problem. A single rear pair on a RAM 3500 is asked to hold up a loaded bed, a gooseneck hitch, and a trailer tongue all at the same time. The tire that survives that life is not the cheapest one on the shelf — it is the one with the right ply rating, the right load index, and the right diameter for your wheel. This guide walks you through the tires, spacers, simulators, and air bags that actually fit the RAM 3500 platform, with the real numbers attached.
This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Dually owners get burned by fitment more than by tread compound, so every pick below names the exact bolt pattern, diameter, or load rating you need to check first. Here is the honest shortlist of tires for ram 3500 dually and the supporting hardware that keeps them planted.
Top Picks
How To Choose Tires and Hardware for a RAM 3500 Dually
The mistake most first-time dually owners make is buying a tire that looks aggressive and ignoring the load numbers stamped on the sidewall. On a single-rear-wheel truck, a light-duty tire can get away with a lot. On a dually, the rear pair is carrying a bed full of payload plus whatever is hitched behind it, and the tire has to hold that load at highway pressure for hours.
Start with load index and load range, not looks
The load index is a number that maps to how much weight one tire can carry when properly inflated — a higher index means a stronger tire. Load Range E is the heavy-duty step up, and it is usually built with a 10-ply rating in the casing. If you tow a gooseneck or haul a slide-in camper, this is the spec to check before anything else. A tire with a load index of 121 or 124 in an LT size is built for exactly this kind of work.
Match the diameter to your wheel, to the inch
Tire size is written as width, aspect ratio, and rim diameter — for example 35X12.50R20LT means a 35-inch overall diameter on a 20-inch wheel. Get the last number wrong and the tire simply will not mount. Dually rear wheels are also narrower than they look, which is why so many owners run a spacer between the duals to clear a wide tire.
Confirm the bolt pattern before you buy hardware
RAM 3500 duallies and Ford F-350 duallies share an 8 on 200mm bolt pattern — eight studs spaced on a 200mm circle. A spacer or simulator built for that pattern is the only one that will seat. A simulator that lists 2003-2018 RAM 3500 is not the same part as one built for a 2019 and newer truck, so check your model year against the listing.
Decide if you need leveling, looks, or clearance
Air helper springs level a truck that squats under load. Wheel spacers widen the track and free up clearance for a bigger tire. Simulators dress up a steel dually wheel without changing anything mechanical. Buy the one that solves your actual problem — stacking all three usually means you have not decided what you want yet.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Best For | Load Index | Size / Fitment | Construction | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NITTO Ridge Grappler 35×12.50R20LT★ Best Overall | All-around daily and trail use | 125 | 35×12.50R20LT | Radial | Amazon |
| Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx 35X12.50R20LTTop Performer | Heavy towing with mixed terrain | 121 | 35X12.50R20LT | Radial, Load Range E | Amazon |
| hightall 17″ Wheel Simulators (4 pc)Best for Looks | Dressing up 2003-2018 RAM 3500 steel wheels | — | 17″ / 8 lug | 304 Stainless Steel | Amazon |
| maXpeedingrods 7500 lbs Air Spring Kit | Leveling a loaded 2019-2024 RAM 3500 | — | 2019-2024 RAM 3500 RWD/4WD | Steel with multi-ply rubber | Amazon |
| Puermto 17″ Screw-On Simulators | Bolt-on shine for 2003-2018 RAM 3500 dually | — | 17″ / 2003-2018 RAM 3500 | 304L Stainless Steel | Amazon |
| Mastertrack BADLANDS AT LT245/75R16 | Budget four-tire set with road hazard coverage | 120 | LT245/75R16 | Radial, 10 Ply E | Amazon |
| ROCKMAN ST205/75R15 10-Ply | Trailer duty behind the truck | 110 | ST205/75R15 | Radial, Load Range E | Amazon |
| Wheel Accessories Parts Steel Spacer 8x200mm | Widening dually rear stance and tire clearance | — | 8 on 200mm / 1.50 inch thick | Forged 1045 Steel | Amazon |
| Mastertrack BADLANDS AT LT265/70R18 | Bigger four-tire set for 18-inch wheels | 124 | LT265/70R18 | Radial, 10 Ply E | Amazon |
Detailed Reviews
1. NITTO Ridge Grappler 35×12.50R20LT
Our pick — 4.5+★ from 350+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
A 125 load index and a 34.76-inch diameter make this the tire that carries the weight without the howl.
Here is the number that settles it for a loaded dually: a 125 load index. That is a tire built to swallow serious weight per corner, and it sits on a 35×12.50R20LT carcass with a 34.76-inch overall diameter. Put that on a 20-inch dually wheel and you get a tall, aggressive stance without stepping into a mud-terrain that screams at highway speed.
The way this tire is built is what makes it livable every day. Nitto adds a reinforced block foundation (extra bracing under the tread blocks) that cuts tread flex, so the blocks stay put under load instead of squirming. Stone ejectors (small channels that push gravel out) clear rocks before they drill into the casing, and staggered shoulder lugs (offset edge blocks) give you bite once the pavement ends. Reviewers praise the build quality first and the low noise second, so this aggressive-looking tire stays calm on the interstate.
Run it at pressure and it lasts. One buyer ran a set on a lifted 2013 GMC Sierra to 75,000 miles with minimal rotation at 55-65psi against an 80psi rating, and still aired down to 20psi in deep sand. A RAM 2500 owner swapped out Coopers worn at 30k and called the road traction and ride very good, with no highway tire noise. The honest catch is wet grip late in life: that same long-running set turned slick on wet pavement past roughly 50k miles, so treat the back half of the tread life with respect in rain.
Where it earns its keep
- 125 load index handles a loaded dually rear axle with margin
- Reinforced block foundation cuts tread flex under weight
- Quieter on the highway than a mud-terrain, per owner experience
- Stone ejectors protect the casing on gravel and job sites
What to plan around
- 70.5 pounds per tire — mounting and rotating is a two-person job
- Wet grip fades in the last stretch of tread life, so slow down in rain
- Premium tire, so the outlay is real across six corners
Go this way if: you want one tire that tows, commutes, and handles gravel without turning your cab into a noise chamber.
Think twice if: you rarely load the truck and would rather spend less per corner.
2. Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx 35X12.50R20LT
Built for a truck that spends more hours under a gooseneck than parked in a driveway.
This is the pick for the owner who genuinely works the truck. It carries a 121 load index and a 3,195-pound load capacity per tire, in a Load Range E casing at 10-ply rating. That is a commercial-grade tire, and it shows in the Armor Tek3 construction and the cut- and chip-resistant tread compound — both aimed at rocks and gravel rather than mall parking lots. It is also studdable, which matters if your winters get serious.
What owners keep coming back to is the traction in snow, and the quiet ride is the surprise. A 2020 3500 Denali dually owner has about 55,000 miles on them, mostly towing a 40-foot flatbed gooseneck, with roughly 30% tread left and plans to buy the same tire again. Compare that to the NITTO at 70.5 pounds — this one weighs 67.8 pounds, so you are saving a little muscle at rotation time while keeping a Load Range E rating.
The catch is on the delivery side, not the tire. Tires can arrive from multiple locations and on different days, and one buyer found three of five arrive worn or cupped before a free same-day replacement. Inspect every tire at the door before you book the mount. The other honest note: the tread design helps prevent stone retention, which keeps gravel from drilling in, but you still want to check the grooves after a day on loose rock.
Traction that earns trust: snow and wet-spring water shedding come up repeatedly in owner experience, and the cut-and-chip resistant compound suits gravel roads that chew up softer tires.
Inspect at the door: multi-location shipping is the real friction point here — check sidewalls and tread before mounting, because replacement is free but the delay is not.
Reach for this if: your RAM 3500 earns its keep dragging a trailer and you want a Load Range E tire that still behaves on a wet commute.
Look elsewhere if: you want a tire you can buy one at a time — this is a per-tire listing with shipping quirks.
3. hightall 17 Wheel Simulators
Four mirror-polished stainless covers that turn a plain steel dually wheel into something worth photographing.
Not every RAM 3500 owner needs a new set of tires — plenty just want their steel dually wheels to stop looking like the work truck they are. This is a four-piece set of 17-inch simulators in 304 stainless steel, with a mirror polish and an anti-oxidation treatment that resists rain, road salt, and UV rays. It bolts on, and the kit ships with a jam nut tightening tool, 8 lug nut covers, and a manual. Install is billed as under 5 minutes, which is plausible for a bolt-on cover.
Fit is the trait that gets called out most, and appearance follows right behind it. The set is engineered for the 2003-2018 Dodge Ram 3500 with an 8-lug bolt pattern that matches factory specs, so no drilling or modification. The one hard rule: locate the tire sidewall code — if it reads R17, you are good. These fit factory steel dually wheels only and will not work on factory aluminum wheels.
Worth knowing before you order: a driver with a 2012 Ford F550 on 19.5-inch factory wheels reported a perfect fit and called the quality top notch, so the sizing logic holds beyond the RAM listing. A 2006 Featherlite horse trailer owner used them as an exact replacement for original hubcaps. The lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects with repair or replacement, though the spec sheet also lists a 1-year manufacturer warranty description — so read the terms rather than assume.
The 5-minute upgrade: bolt-on installation with all tools in the box means no shop visit, and the polished stainless holds its shine against salt and sun.
Fit is not universal: 17-inch steel wheels from 2003-2018 only — aluminum factory wheels are ruled out, and a 2019 or newer truck needs a different listing.
Best matched to: a 2003-2018 RAM 3500 dually on steel wheels that deserves to look sharper than it does.
Not the one for: aluminum-wheel trucks or anything newer than 2018.
4. maXpeedingrods 7500 lbs Air Suspension Bags Kit
The fix for a RAM 3500 that sits nose-high the moment you drop the trailer on the ball.
Air helper springs solve a different problem than tires do: squat. This kit adds up to 7,500 pounds of load leveling capability to the rear of a 2019-2024 RAM 3500, adjustable from 5 to 100 PSI depending on road conditions and what you are hauling. Inflate for a loaded trailer, drop the pressure for an empty bed. It is built for RWD and 4WD trucks, fits most in-bed hitches, and does not fit Cab & Chassis models or trucks with factory-installed air suspension.
The build is steel where it counts. ST12 steel end caps hold the structure, Q235 steel mounting brackets and Dacromat anti-rust bolts handle corrosion, and the air springs use a multi-ply natural rubber design at 4.5-5mm thickness. What owners describe is a truck that stops bottoming out and stops swaying behind a camper — one owner towing a camper said the difference in squat and sway is huge.
Plan to spend extra time on the install. The directions don’t mention that you may need to drill extra holes for a proper fit, and at least one 2024 RAM 3500 owner had to notch a small spot on the bottom plate to clear the rear end vent tube. Once mounted, the bags hold air and work as intended. Go in knowing the instructions are thin, and set aside an afternoon rather than an hour.
What it changes about the drive
- Up to 7,500 lbs of leveling stops the squat and the headlight glare
- 5-100 PSI range lets you tune for an empty bed or a loaded trailer
- Multi-ply rubber at 4.5-5mm thickness supports the load
- Dacromat anti-rust bolts and steel brackets resist corrosion
Before you start turning wrenches
- Instructions omit the drilling some trucks need
- A 2024 RAM 3500 needed a small notch for the vent tube
- Will not fit Cab & Chassis or factory air suspension trucks
Worth it for: a 2019-2024 RAM 3500 that tows regularly and squats under the tongue weight.
Skip the install headache if: you drive a Cab & Chassis or already have factory air suspension.
5. 17″ Dually Wheel Simulators
Stainless shine at a lower outlay, if you can live with a valve-stem compromise.
This set dresses a 2003-2018 RAM 3500 dually in 304L stainless steel with a mirror-polished finish, using a bolt-on mounting style engineered to factory specs. You get 2 front liner covers with 2 removable center caps and 2 rear liner covers with 2 removable center caps — four pieces total, at 16.5 pounds for the set.
Fit is genuinely mixed, and that is the honest catch here. Some buyers report a perfect fit, and the stainless steel should hold up for the life of the truck. Others hit real snags. Lining up with the valve stems is the recurring issue — you may have to pull the cover to check the inner tire, a real annoyance on a dually where the inner valve is already hard to reach. A couple of chrome adapter bolts have also arrived unable to thread, so check every bolt before you start.
Set against the hightall set above, this one uses 304L stainless rather than 304 and runs slightly lighter, but the hightall set includes a tightening tool, 8 lug nut covers, and a detailed manual. If you want the most complete kit, that is the better box. If you are comfortable improvising hardware and want the look for less, this set delivers the shine.
Where the money goes: mirror-polished 304L stainless on all four corners, with removable center caps and no modification needed to mount.
The valve-stem tax: checking inner tire pressure means pulling a cover, and a bad bolt in the box is possible — inspect before install.
Fits the bill for: a 2003-2018 RAM 3500 dually owner chasing the polished look on a tighter budget.
Pass if: frequent inner-tire pressure checks are part of your routine — the valve alignment will wear on you.
6. ROCKMAN Trailer Tire ST205/75R15 Set4
The trailer tire your loaded RAM 3500 is actually dragging behind it, with 8mm of tread to spare.
A dually that tows needs a trailer tire as much as it needs a truck tire, and this set of four covers that end of the rig. The headline number is tread depth: 8mm against 5.6mm on cheap competitors, which is more rubber between you and the road for longer. It is a heavy-duty 10-ply rated tire in Load Range E with a 110 load index and an M speed rating up to 81mph. It meets or exceeds applicable DOT standards.
The size is ST205/75R15 on a 15-inch rim with a 5.5-inch rim width, and each tire weighs 50.4 pounds. One buyer mounted them and immediately ran 3,000 miles to Sturgis with no issues, and another noted the tires arrived freshly manufactured. A utility trailer owner was satisfied with the match and the savings against a local shop.
The obvious limit is that this is trailer hardware, not a truck tire — it does not go on your RAM 3500’s dually wheels. The other nuance is lifespan expectation: one owner said if they last at least two years, they will be satisfied, which tells you the value case rests on the tread depth rather than a long mileage promise.
Why it makes sense on a trailer
- 8mm tread depth versus 5.6mm on cheap competitors
- 10-ply Load Range E with a 110 load index
- DOT-compliant construction for hauling cargo
- Comes as a set of four, ready to mount
Set expectations here
- Trailer size only — will not fit your dually wheels
- M speed rating caps it at 81mph
- Long-term tread life is unproven beyond a couple of seasons
Buy this for: the trailer behind the truck, where deep tread and a 10-ply rating matter most.
Not for: anyone hoping to mount these on the RAM 3500 itself.
7. Mastertrack BADLANDS AT LT245/75R16
Four aggressive all-terrains, a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, and a road hazard policy in the box.
You get more than the four-tire bundle — you get the coverage that rides along with it. That means a 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty plus a complimentary road hazard warranty covering bulges, air leaks, or blowouts within 3 years of purchase and within the first 4/32nds of an inch of tread wear. For a truck that spends time on gravel and job sites, that is real protection.
The tire itself is an LT245/75R16 with a 120 load index, a 3,042-pound load capacity, and a 10-ply E casing, sitting at a 30.47-inch overall diameter. An aggressive shoulder design ejects rocks, mud, and snow as you roll, deep circumferential grooves channel water away to cut hydroplaning risk, and the reinforced casing resists cuts from rocks and debris. The compound and tread pattern are built for wear resistance.
Owners put real miles on these. A Tacoma driver at 8 months called them tough and a huge bargain, and a 2004 GMC Z71 owner has about 35,000 miles on a daily one-hour highway commute with another 30,000 expected, praising how they self-clean in mud. The one recurring caveat: a few drivers find them slippery on wet turns — one F150 owner noted it, though he also wondered about oil residue on the roadway. Compared to the Cooper above at a 121 load index, this sits one step lower at 120, so if maximum payload is the priority, the Cooper leads.
Coverage that travels with you: a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty and a 3-year road hazard policy make a budget set far easier to live with.
Wet-turn manners: the tread clears water well in a straight line, but wet cornering draws the occasional complaint — drive it like the truck it is.
Strongest fit for: a work truck that needs four matching all-terrains without a premium-tire budget.
Hold off if: you need the highest load index in the lineup — this one tops out at 120.
8. Wheel Accessories Parts 8x200mm Wheel Spacers
One forged steel spacer that buys you clearance between the duals for a wider tire.
Running a 35×12.50 on the rear of a dually means the two tires fight for the same space. That is where a spacer earns its place: 1.50 inches thick, machined from forged 1045 steel on CNC lathes (computer-controlled cutting), with an 8 on 200mm bolt pattern (eight lug holes spaced on a 200mm circle) on both the wheel and vehicle side, a 142mm hub bore (the center hole that centers the wheel), and M14x1.5 studs rated 10.9 grade (a high-strength steel class). At 19.21 pounds, it is a heavy, dense piece of metal — compare that to a 70.5-pound Ridge Grappler and you see how much steel is packed into a small disc.
Widening the track also improves stance and handling stability, frees up tire clearance, and can solve brake caliper clearance issues. The listed fitment is Ford 2005+ F-350 Super Duty and Ram 2019+ 3500. Owners mention it working perfectly on a 2005 F350 dually between the rear duals to fit 35×12.50r17, and another on the rear of a 2023 F350 running a 35/12.50-17 Toyo MT.
This is the one part of the list where you must be careful. Some customers note that it does not fit the very trucks listed — a 2021 RAM 3500 DRW was named specifically — and one buyer received studs far smaller than expected for a dually application. Note too that the listing says front only, while a 2015 F350 owner ran a hubcentric pair successfully on the rear axle. Measure your hub and rim before ordering, and verify the stud size against your lug nuts.
The case for forged steel
- Forged 1045 steel machined on CNC equipment for a true hub fit
- 1.50-inch thickness clears a wider tire between the duals
- Anodized black finish and 10.9 grade studs resist corrosion and strip-out
- Hub-centric design reduces vibration at speed
Measure before you order
- Some reviewers point out fitment failure on the listed RAM 3500 DRW
- Sold as a single piece, so a pair costs double
- Listed as front only, though buyers have run it on the rear
Right part for: a dually owner who needs 1.50 inches of clearance for a wide rear tire and has measured the hub first.
Wrong part if: your truck is a 2021 RAM 3500 DRW or you have not confirmed stud size.
9. Mastertrack BADLANDS AT LT265/70R18
The same aggressive all-terrain formula, sized up to an 18-inch wheel and a 124 load index.
If your RAM 3500 rolls on 18-inch wheels, this is the Mastertrack set built for you: LT265/70R18, a 124 load index, a 3,525-pound load capacity, and a 10PR casing at 80 psi maximum pressure. The overall diameter is 32.64 inches. Compared to its LT245/75R16 sibling at a 120 load index and 3,042-pound capacity, this one carries more per tire — a meaningful step for a loaded truck.
The rest of the package mirrors the smaller set and that is a good thing. You get the 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty and the complimentary road hazard coverage for bulges, air leaks, or blowouts within 3 years and the first 4/32nds of tread. The self-cleaning shoulder ejects rocks and snow, the deep circumferential grooves push water away, and the reinforced casing resists cuts from debris.
Owner feedback reads the same as the smaller version: smooth ride, low road noise for an all-terrain, good rain grip through sharp turns, and one driver noting no punctures from sharp rocks over a two-and-a-half-hour drive. The wet-turn slippage complaint appears here too, and a few owners wish the tires were sold individually so a spare could be added. Expect to pay a bit more per set than the 16-inch version, and plan on buying a fifth tire separately if you want a matching spare.
Why the 18-inch version pulls weight
- 124 load index and 3,525-pound capacity per tire
- 50,000-mile treadwear warranty plus 3-year road hazard coverage
- Self-cleaning tread ejects rocks, mud, and snow
- Quiet for an aggressive all-terrain pattern
Where it asks for patience
- Sold only as a set of four — no single spare option
- Wet-cornering grip draws occasional complaints
- Premium price over the 16-inch set
Pick this one if: your dually runs 18-inch wheels and you want more load capacity than the 16-inch Mastertrack set offers.
Think again if: you need to buy a single tire as a spare — this ships as a four-pack only.
Know the Specs
Load Index and Load Range
The load index is a number that corresponds to how much weight a single tire can support when inflated to the right pressure — a 121 rating and a 124 rating do not carry the same load. Load Range E is the heavy-duty step, usually built as a 10-ply rated casing. On a RAM 3500 dually, this is the pairing that decides whether the rear pair holds up under a loaded bed and a trailer tongue. Check it before you check tread pattern.
Bolt Pattern and Hub Bore
The bolt pattern describes how many studs a wheel has and how far apart they sit — 8 on 200mm means eight studs on a 200mm circle. The hub bore is the center hole that centers the wheel on the axle; on a spacer, it needs to match your vehicle hub. Get either number wrong and the part will not seat, no matter how well it looks in photos. This is why dually hardware is so fitment-sensitive.
Tire Size and Overall Diameter
A tire size reads as width, aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percent of width), and rim diameter, and LT marks a light-truck rating. The diameter figure — like 34.76 inches on the NITTO or 32.64 inches on the 18-inch Mastertrack — tells you how tall the tire stands. That changes your speedometer reading, your clearance, and whether it fits under the fender at all.
Tread Depth and Ply Rating
Tread depth is measured in millimeters and describes how much rubber sits between the road and the casing. The ROCKMAN trailer tire runs 8mm against 5.6mm on cheap competitors, which is a tangible difference in how long the tire lasts. Ply rating, meanwhile, describes the strength of the casing layers — a 10-ply rated tire is built for heavier loads than a lighter-rated one.
Common Questions
What load range do I need on a RAM 3500 dually?
Will a 35×12.50 tire fit the rear duals of my RAM 3500?
Is 8x200mm the same bolt pattern as 8 on 200mm?
Do wheel simulators fit aluminum dually wheels?
How do I know if my wheel is R17 or R18?
What does an air helper spring kit actually do for towing?
Can I run a trailer tire like the ROCKMAN on my truck wheels?
How long should all-terrain tires last on a heavy dually?
What is the difference between 304 and 304L stainless in wheel simulators?
Do I need a spacer on both sides of the rear duals?
The Bottom Line
For most RAM 3500 dually owners, the winner is the NITTO Ridge Grappler 35×12.50R20LT. A 125 load index (a load-carrying rating) gives you the weight margin a loaded dually needs, and the reinforced block foundation keeps the tread from squirming under that load. It tows, commutes, and handles gravel without turning the cab into a noise chamber — and it backs that up with 4.5+ stars across 300+ ratings. If heavy towing with a gooseneck is your daily reality, grab the Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx for its Load Range E casing (a heavy-duty light-truck rating) and 3,195-pound capacity per tire. Whichever tire you pick, confirm the diameter and bolt pattern against your actual wheel before ordering, because on a dually that is the difference between bolting on and sending it back.
How we choose
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of October 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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