Need Help figuring out larger tire size

[wandago18094]

I currently have 33” (285) tires on 17 x 7.5 wheels. I need help figuring out the largest I can go with that doesn’t really require extra mods. I tow an RV with a 600 pound tongue weight, so I need to be cautious about squat. Suggestions?

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[VA6489]

Going larger with tire size will impact towing weight. If I use the 10% rule ( 10% weight on the tongue) you are pulling a 6000# trailer. Going bigger will hurt towing performance.

I would be more concerned about gearing going bigger with tires. YOU should be able to run a P metric 35 without issues of clearance, but on road performance will suffer. If you rig is a 3.6 engine, going bigger with tires and towing a 6000# trailer will be hard on the engine and pulling any real hills road speed will drop noticeably. If it a 3.0 engine you can get away with towing but oil temps will haunt you.

Gladiator is not an Idea tow vehicle for weights over 5000#. Yes you will get a multitude of response all saying they tow 6000# or more on 37s or 40s with no issues....

Also with 600# of tongue weight I suggest a equalizing hitch setup the ride with trailer will be much improved.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I wouldn't go bigger than 33s with towing. Unless you plan to regear.

 

[azmojave]

You didn’t say which model JT.

 

[wandago18094]

I was thinking 35s. The RV weighs more like 3500lbs. With that in mind do you think that would be okay? What about tire width?

 

[Sandman 4x4]

When towing you could not ask for anything more different from your Gladiator than rock crawling, especially when using the same size diameter and width tires on the same size, no bigger than 17” alloy wheels. To save on re-gearing , I would suggest using the $$$$ for a second set of tires dedicated for serious off road, with a second set for towing only. Like nothing more then 32” for towing and 35 for off road.

 

[GuzziMoto]

If it is anything like us, the towing and the off roading / rock crawling go hand in hand. We tow the RV to where we are going to go off roading and camp, go off roading, then at the end of the trip we drive home towing the RV.

As mentioned, you did not say which JT you have and which engine / trans you have. That would make a difference in my opinion.
But in general, larger tires makes for taller gearing, which reduces towing performance. You can re-gear to get that performance back, but that costs money, often the cost of a set of tires or so.
If you have a diesel I would be more willing to go up in tire size vs the two gas options. If you have a V6 I would personally not go much bigger then you have without re-gearing to 4.56 or 4.88 gears.
For a 7.5" wide tire you need to watch tire width, both in terms of what will fit on that wheel width and will it clear when turning left and right. You can help the turning left and right aspect with wheel spacers / adapters. But you may be better off if you must have 35's going with skinny 35's.

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