2014 Ram 1500 Tire Size Guide: All Trims and Wheel Specs

Everything You Need to Know About 2014 Ram 1500 Tire Sizes

Selecting the correct tire size for your 2014 Ram 1500 is more than just a matter of aesthetics; it is a critical decision that affects your truck’s towing capacity, fuel efficiency, speedometer accuracy, and overall safety. Because the 2014 model year offered various trim levels ranging from the work-ready Tradesman to the luxury-focused Laramie Longhorn, the “standard” tire size varies significantly across the fleet. This guide will walk you through the technical process of identifying your current specifications, understanding how different sizes impact performance, and ensuring that any aftermarket upgrades you choose will fit perfectly without causing mechanical interference.

Step 1: Locate the Tire and Loading Information Placard

What you need: Access to the driver’s side door frame and a flashlight if lighting is poor.

Instructions: Open the driver’s side door and look at the B-pillar (the vertical metal post the door latches onto). You will find a white and yellow sticker labeled “Tire and Loading Information.” This is the “birth certificate” for your specific truck’s tires. It lists the original equipment (OE) tire size installed by the factory, as well as the recommended cold tire pressure for both front and rear axles. For a 2014 Ram 1500, you will likely see sizes like P265/70R17 or P275/60R20. Take a photo of this sticker or write down the numbers exactly as they appear, including the load index and speed rating (e.g., 113T or 114S).

Pro Tip: Never rely on what is currently on the truck if you bought it used. A previous owner may have installed the wrong size, which could be skewing your odometer readings or affecting your gear ratios.

Step 2: Decipher the Tire Sidewall Codes

What you need: Your current tire’s sidewall and a basic understanding of metric tire measurements.

Instructions: Look at the side of your existing tires. You will see a string of numbers like 275/60R20. The first number (275) is the section width in millimeters. The second number (60) is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 60% of the width. The “R” stands for radial construction, and the “20” is the wheel diameter in inches. For the 2014 Ram 1500, the most common wheel sizes are 17-inch and 20-inch, though some R/T models feature 22-inch wheels. Understanding these numbers is vital because changing the aspect ratio without changing the width will alter the total height of the tire, which directly impacts how many revolutions per mile the tire makes.

Pro Tip: If your tire starts with “LT” (Light Truck) instead of “P” (Passenger), it is a heavier-duty tire designed for higher load capacities and towing, common on Rams used for work.

Step 3: Identify Your Specific Trim Level Requirements

What you need: Your vehicle’s trim name (Tradesman, SLT, Big Horn, Sport, Laramie, etc.).

Instructions: The 2014 Ram 1500 has specific wheel/tire pairings based on trim. The Tradesman and SLT typically come with 17-inch steel or aluminum wheels using 265/70R17 tires. The Big Horn, Sport, and Laramie often step up to 20-inch wheels using 275/60R20 tires. If you have the Outdoorsman trim, you might have specialized “On/Off-Road” tires. Knowing your trim helps you understand the clearance you have in the wheel wells. For instance, trucks with the Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension may have different clearance profiles at different ride heights compared to the standard coil-spring suspension found on the base models.

Pro Tip: If you are upgrading from 17-inch to 20-inch wheels, you must ensure the new rims have the correct offset to avoid hitting the brake calipers or the upper control arms.

Step 4: Evaluate Load Index and Ply Rating

What you need: Information on your typical hauling and towing weight.

Instructions: When selecting a new tire size or brand for your Ram, you must match or exceed the load index listed on your door placard. A common load index for the 2014 Ram 1500 is 113 to 115. If you frequently tow a heavy trailer or fill the bed with gravel, you should consider “Load Range E” (10-ply) tires. While these provide a stiffer ride, they offer much more stability under pressure. Standard P-metric tires are fine for daily driving and light loads, but they tend to “squat” more under heavy tongue weights. Check the “Max Load” rating on the sidewall, which is usually measured in pounds at a specific PSI.

Pro Tip: Switching to a Load Range E tire usually requires higher tire pressures (often 50-80 PSI) compared to the standard 35-39 PSI recommended for passenger-rated tires.

Step 5: Account for Speedometer and Odometer Variance

What you need: An online tire size calculator or a GPS-based speed app.

Instructions: If you decide to deviate from the factory 2014 Ram 1500 tire size (for example, moving from a 33-inch tire to a 35-inch tire), your speedometer will no longer be accurate. A larger tire covers more ground per revolution, meaning your speedometer will read slower than you are actually traveling. For example, moving from the stock 275/60R20 (approx. 33 inches) to a 35×12.50R20 will result in a roughly 6% difference. At a displayed 60 MPH, you would actually be going about 63.6 MPH. This discrepancy also affects your transmission shift points and your fuel economy calculations. You may need a flash programmer to recalibrate the vehicle’s computer for the new diameter.

Pro Tip: Most 2014 Rams can handle up to a 33.5-inch tire without a lift kit, but anything larger usually requires a leveling kit or suspension lift to prevent rubbing.

Step 6: Check Bolt Pattern and Offset Compatibility

What you need: Specifications for your 2014 Ram 1500 wheel hubs.

Instructions: If you are buying new tires and wheels together, you must verify the bolt pattern. The 2014 Ram 1500 uses a 5×139.7mm (also known as 5×5.5 inches) bolt pattern. This is specific to the Ram 1500 of this era and is not compatible with Ford or Chevy half-ton trucks. Additionally, pay attention to the “offset.” The factory 20-inch wheels usually have a +19mm offset. If you choose a wheel with a negative offset (like -12mm or -24mm), the tires will poke out from the fenders. While this looks aggressive, it changes the scrub radius and can put extra stress on your wheel bearings and steering components.

Pro Tip: When moving to wider tires, like 305/55R20, a wheel with a lower offset is often required to keep the tire from rubbing against the inner suspension components.

Step 7: Perform a Clearance and Rubbing Test

What you need: A second person to help and a flat parking surface.

Instructions: Once the new tires are mounted, you must check for “rubbing” at full steering lock. Start the engine and have an assistant slowly turn the steering wheel all the way to the left while you observe the front tires. Look for contact points against the plastic wheel well liner, the bumper valence, and especially the upper control arm (UCA). Repeat the process turning all the way to the right. On the 2014 Ram, the UCA is a common rub point for tires wider than 285mm on factory wheels. If rubbing occurs only on the plastic liner, you can often perform a “fender mod” by trimming or heating and reshaping the plastic with a heat gun.

Pro Tip: Check clearance both at “park” height and “off-road” height if your truck is equipped with the factory air suspension, as the geometry changes slightly throughout the range.

Step 8: Final Torque and Pressure Verification

What you need: A calibrated torque wrench and a high-quality tire pressure gauge.

Instructions: After the tires are installed, ensure the lug nuts are torqued to the manufacturer’s specification. For a 2014 Ram 1500, the lug nut torque is typically 130 ft-lbs (176 N·m). Use a star pattern to tighten them to ensure the wheel seats evenly against the hub. Next, set the tire pressure. Do not use the “Max PSI” listed on the tire sidewall; instead, refer back to the door placard you checked in Step 1. For most 2014 Rams, 35 PSI to 39 PSI is the standard for unladen driving. Proper pressure ensures an even “footprint” on the road, preventing premature wear in the center or the shoulders of the tread.

Pro Tip: Re-torque your lug nuts after the first 50 to 100 miles of driving, as the heat cycles can occasionally cause the metal to settle and the nuts to loosen slightly.

✅ Final Checklist

• Verified the factory tire size on the driver-side B-pillar placard.
• Confirmed the new tires meet or exceed the original load index (e.g., 113 or higher).
• Checked that the wheel diameter (17″, 20″, or 22″) matches the new tire’s inner diameter.
• Performed a full-lock steering test to ensure no rubbing on control arms or liners.
• Torqued all lug nuts to exactly 130 ft-lbs using a calibrated torque wrench.
• Calibrated the speedometer/PCM if the new tire diameter differs from stock by more than 3%.

Important Notes:

• Safety: Undersized tires or tires with an insufficient load rating can lead to catastrophic blowouts, especially when the truck is under load.
• Professional Help: If you experience a steering wheel vibration after installation, seek a professional “road force balance,” as large truck tires are notoriously difficult to balance perfectly.
• Estimated Time: 1 hour for research and inspection; 1.5 hours for professional mounting and balancing.
• Cost Range: Expect to pay between $600 and $1,400 for a set of four tires, depending on brand (e.g., Goodyear, Michelin, or Falken) and size.