Most people own the Trail Boss because it is tough, rugged, and usable on any terrain. As much as it is a capable truck, its large wheels may not be enough for some users.
If you want to boost your off-road driving experiences, one option is to increase the tire size.
Bigger tires can raise your truck, improve its traction, and make it more attractive. A Trail Boss with 35-inch tires is a workhorse that cannot let you down.
35-inch tires will fit on your Trail Boss should you ever decide to do away with your stock tires. Nevertheless, tire rub is inevitable when installing 35-inch wheels. You can install them without a lift kit.
We recommend you check our best guide on 225 tires vs 215 tires.
Table of Contents
What is the Recommended Tire Size for a Trail Boss?
First, consider your model year. If you have a third-generation or a fourth-generation Chevy Silverado Trail Boss, a 33-inch tire size is fine.
But to be sure of the best tire size to buy, read the Owner’s Manual. Do what the manufacturer says to avoid problems and costly repairs.
What size tires are on the 2021 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss?
A 2021 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss may use any of these tire sizes:
- A steel or aluminum wheel of 17” x 8”. Examples are P255/70/R17 all-season and P265/70/R17 all-seasons.
- An Aluminium wheel of 18 inches by 8.5 inches. Examples include LT275/65/R18 and P265/65/R18 all-terrain or all-season.
- Aluminium wheel of 20inches by 9 inches, including P275/60/R20 all-terrain, all-season.
Can You Fit 35 Inches Tires On a Trail Boss?
If you want to try larger wheels on your Trail Boss, the 35-inch tire size is fine. 35-inch tires can offer you some advantages, including raising the height of your truck. An elevated truck can handle more load capacity safely because the mammoth tires generate more traction even when it is slippery.
As 35-inch tires can deliver comfort and performance at once, most people like them. They are the best choice for people who use their pick-up trucks for towing heavy loads.
Ideal for all seasons and terrains, these wheels are worth buying. Most people also choose these tires for their SUVs and crossover vehicles because they can run speedily without affecting the traction.
Nevertheless, you may have to install a leveling kit and do some body modifications to fit a 35-inch wheel. A lift kit or leveling kit can help you compensate for the lost space.
Check the wheels’ backspacing and offset as it reveals how far beyond the stock fender flares, they can go.
Remember to examine the fender flares cautiously to buy suitable ones for the 35-inch tires you plan to install. With 35-inch tires, your Trail Boss can yield better performance no matter the load it is hauling or the terrains you ride it on. Without a doubt, 35-inch tires cost more money to buy and install.
Modifications require the use of the correct toolset and expertise. Some people can read the Owner’s manual instructions or watch some YouTube videos and do the task. Others would rather avoid this and choose an expert to install their 35-inch tires on their Trail Boss.
Trail Boss With 33-inch Tires
A Chevy Silverado Trail Boss’ stock suspension can handle a 33-inch tire. A 33-inch wheel can perform perfectly on highways or paved surfaces.
If you want to avoid trimming or doing other modifications on your Silverado, choose the 33-inch tire. But there is an exception to consider.
If you select a wide 33-inch tire, it will not fit properly without rubbing. Thus, you will have to trim the mud flaps and fenders to clear the space.
To avoid doing these modifications, buy narrower 33-inch aftermarket tires. As these are tall and thin, they do not rub after mounting.
Just like their wider counterparts, thin and tall 33-inch tires can increase your Trail Boss ground clearance without modifying them.
Normally, skinny 33-inch tires appear as 255/80/R17 or 255/85/R16. As their size matches the wheel well, you do not need to modify it.
If you want to boost the appearance of your Trail Boss truck, choose wider 33-inch tires. Nonetheless, be ready to modify the vehicle yourself or hire someone to help you.
Using the wider 33-inch tire does not mean your Trail Boss should perform poorly. Several users speak so highly of this wheel size on the internet.
Spacers
Besides, you can use spacers or a leveling kit to create clearance in wheel arches. A 2-inch suspension raise can eradicate most clearance issues that may occur after mounting a 33-inch wheel.
As you select the best aftermarket tires, consider your preferred driving styles. Additionally, choose the best between 17-inch, 18-inch, and 20-inch rim sizes.
Spacers are the cheapest option when you need to clear space for a wider 33-inch tire. While spacers do not eradicate all ground clearance problems, they can still let you lift your truck and make it more aggressive.
Wheel spacers can negatively impact the upper insider clearance of the wheel arch. So, avoid them if you are not sure they can help.
A spacer kit is ideal for backspacing. If you want to avoid wheel well modifications, you might need to use two inches leveling kit.
How Much Lift Do I Need to Install 35 Inch Tires on My Trail Boss?
First, a lift is a kit that can let you increase the ground clearance, stability, and safety for your Trail Boss. As it can provide 2-inches of ground clearance, the lift kit can protect the truck bottom from damage.
Also, when driving over rugged landscapes, a lift helps you work against barriers like rocks.
If you purchase the correct kit for your Trail Boss, you can mount 35-inch tires on six inches of lift. A Trail Boss has a larger wheelbase and a natural lift.
A two-inch raise when installing 35-inch tires is good enough. A suitable lift kit can raise your suspension and prevent the front tires from rubbing against the axle or another part.
When choosing the right lift kit to buy, note that a leveling kit is cheaper. A leveling kit will save you money, but it will not do a better job than the more expensive lift kit.
Also, as you select the best 35-inch tires for your Silverado, choose the aftermarket one with adequate backspacing.
Adjust Camber & Toe Settings for Better Performance & Tire Life
When installing 35-inch tires or any other tire sizes, you must consider wheel alignment. Proper tire alignment can ensure that your wheels wear down evenly and help them last longer.
In addition, wheel alignment can prevent the truck from pulling in one direction more than the other when driving forward.
It can eliminate weird steering wheel vibrations when driving straight and position it in the middle. Mechanics consider camber, toe, and caster when trying to achieve the correct wheel angles.
Before you mount larger wheels on your Trail Boss, consider these factors. Specifically, consider camber and toe settings when installing 35-inch tires on the Trail Boss.
Camber
If you stand in front of your vehicle and notice that the wheels tilt more inwardly or outwardly than they should, that is camber.
Positive camber is an outward tilt while negative camber is an inward tilt. Any of these indicates poor wheel alignment and your tires can erode faster.
Usually, the causes of camber misalignment are damaged ball joints, tie rods, or suspension components.
When installing your 35-inch tires, the aim should be to achieve zero camber or optimum camber settings that work for your car.
Toe
If you point the front wheel wheels inward or outward, the angle you attain is the toe. Toe-in describes the inward angle and toe-out is the outward angle.
These angles need adjustments to boost uniform tread wear and tear.
If you adjust camber and toe for larger tires, you will enhance tire lifespan, boost steering wheel response, and increase ground clearance.
Wheel alignment can be a complex task if you do not have the right tools and expertise.
Therefore, gather your tools and buy the best-quality alignment kit. Most kits available online are easy to mount and offer an unlimited warranty.
Without an alignment kit, you might not do proper camber and toe settings alignment at home.
Consider buying it or seeking the assistance of your mechanic. They have the correct tool assortment and adequate experience to produce satisfactory results.
[FAQs] On Trail Boss With 35-inch Tires
I do not understand the meaning of different tire codes. What should I do to buy the right product for my Trail Boss?
Choosing the correct tire size can eliminates repeat jobs and costly repairs. A guaranteed way to purchase the correct tire is to learn the meaning of tire codes. We will explain this to you using the p255/85/R16 tire.
- P – A letter P stands for Passenger and depicts the intended use of the wheel.
- 255 – Usually in millimeters, the number 255 indicates the width of the tire tread.
- 85 – Usually in the form of a percentage, 85 represents the ratio between the sidewall height and the tread width. Hence, in our tire example above, the height of the sidewall is 85 percent of the tread width.
- R – Here, the letter R stands for radial tires. Radial tires are some of the most prevalent types, together with D (Diagonal) and B (Bias Belt).
- 16 – Here, the number 16 represents the rim or wheel diameter. Usually, this number is in inches.
After understanding the meaning of tire codes, you can identify the size of tires on your Chevy Silverado Trail Boss. Then, you can choose its replacement tires with ease.
What are the pros and cons of buying 35-inches tires for your Chevy Silverado Trail Boss?
Without a doubt, a Trail Boss with 35-inch tires looks awesome and performs much better. As the tire has a larger tread design, it covers a bigger surface area on the road.
Thus, you can enjoy lower rolling resistance, better fuel efficiency, and better grip and stability.
If you love to drive your Trail Boss off the highway, it will perform better after mounting 35-inch tires.
These oversized wheels can lift the truck and help it cross uneven terrains without any damage to the bottom components.
Additionally, 35-inch tires will improve the truck’s towing power regardless of your preferred terrains.
When deciding to purchase these tires, you will also encounter some disadvantages. First, these tires are robust and larger and will cost more money.
Secondly, these wheels can make your suspension bounce more and are harder to install. As your Trail Boss stock suspension does not fit 35-inch tires, you must do some modifications.
What alternative tire sizes are there for someone who does not want 35-inch tires?
Our first recommendation is 33-inch tires. If you love driving your Trail Boss over paved roads or highways, 33-inch tire size is okay.
While it has less off-roading capabilities, it is easier to fit. However, you might have to avoid the wider tire to ease the installation process.
But if you want wider 33-inch tires, use a leveling kit to boost ground clearance. Another tire size available to you is the 34-inch.
A 34-inch tire will offer a mild lift after doing some modifications to eliminate tire rub. If you want a 4-inch lift, the 34 inches are the best choice.
Do you feel that the 35-inch tire is not huge enough? Well, some vendors provide 37-inch tires that can offer a 7-inch lift.
You had better avoid these tires on your Trial Boss. Someone who drives a Sierra 1500 can use them though.
Conclusion
Have you noticed how nice a Trail Boss with 35 inches tires looks? If you have this model, you can purchase and install 35-inch tires at home.
If you have a wheel alignment kit and other crucial tools, the task is easier to accomplish.
Besides adding to the truck’s exterior beauty, oversized wheels enhance its off-road performance. Lastly, your Trail Boss can have more towing strength and better handling.