Tires: load range, dodge ram 1500, load ranges

Question
I just bought a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500.  It currently has standard load 265/70/17 tires.  I want to put 275 or 285 on it.  I pull a 6000 lb. boat and trailer and own property on northern Michigan about 300 miles away.  I also have snowmobiles and a four wheeler that I trailer (I also use the bed of the truck to transport the four wheeler) to the property.  The 285's only come in standard load or D, the 275's come in a C.  What load range should I go with?  Is standard load enough?  Is the D going to be a much rougher ride?  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Dale,

The first thing you ought to do is find your vehicle placard and see what it says.  The placard lists the original tire size and the proper pressure for that size.

The second thing you should do is call Dodge and find out what the payload and towing capacity is for the truck.  If you are within those parameters than the original tire size is OK.

Plus I should point out that Load Ranges implies LT metric tires - which are a whole breed different than P metric which come in Standard Load and Extra Load (sometimes).  If your truck came with P metrics, then you ought to stay with P metrics - and vice versa.