19.5s........Fascinating!!

[CDonaldson]

@SOLER.



I put a set of 19. 5 rims with 245-70-19. 5 tires on my 1988 Ford dually in 2001. I got the steel wheels off a bread truck, the bolt pattern was the same. Three to 4 times per year I cleaned my tires very well and put a rubber lubricant and UV protectant on them. I an on my second engine in that truck, it went in just before the 19. 5 tires wen on, and recently, I rebuilt the transmission, and just last year in 2010 those tires I put on it wore out. I am not a high mileage person, but, those tires gave me close to 145K of use on a ton of gravel roads and highways over 9 years. I had NO sidewall cracking, no defects whatsoever, just went down the road with no tire problems whatsoever. I cannot say that about the 3 sets of complete tires, and several single tires I put on that truck between 1988 and 2001.



I just recently purchased a set of Vision 181 heavy hauler 19. 5 wheels that I plan to put on my 2006 Dodge, I mounted up 265-70-19. 5's on those wheels, and as soon as I get the last of the life out of the BFG 315 AT KO's that are on my Dodge now I am going to put the new Vision wheels/tires on. I plan to do the same cleaning and UV protectant stuff on these tires as I have done on the past tires that gave me such great life and wear.



While the math works out that my investment will break even, the peace of mind when heaving towing is priceless. I have had a few white-knuckled blowouts in my life with 16" and 17" light duty tires and I would rather have something better with less hair raising experiences to roll on.







CD

 

[CUMMINZ]

I have owned 2 3500 duallys with 17" wheels. When I installed the 19. 5s on our 07. 5, we made a trip to CO. just a few days after the installation. Even my wife noticed the stability difference. On the open highway with cross winds and a heavy 5er behind you is where you will enjoy the difference. There is absolutely no walking the dog when a large 18 wheeler passes you. For those who have not experienced the pleasure of a good set of real truck tires need to "try it-you'll like it".



The weak point with 17" wheels with 10 ply tires are the wheels. They are only rated at 2600#s. The new trucks will be more.

 

[PJereb]

That is some awesome life out of those 19. 5's. I only get 20 k out of them on the front of my 4X4 F550, and about 30k on the rear. But... that is running around all the time at 14,500 pounds, on roads that make a SCCA rally look like a straight line.

Anybody else notice that the only thing a 19. 5 is good for in the snow is getting stuck?

 

[Barry]

Another consideration for us high mile users is:



1) The ability to re-groove and run another 50,000 miles... ... . and then



2) Because it is a real truck tire, recap with a quality retread like Bandag($135 vs $300 for new) and roll for another 100K plus. .





I am strongly considering running caps on the rear if I can ever get my tires to wear out... ... .

 

[NIsaacs]

If I were going to recap a tire, I don't think I would re-groove. I think you would be getting real close to the belts, maybe not enough cushion left?



Nick

 

[Barry]

Nick,

I gave that some consideration when I talked to the man at the tire shop about re-grooving. He went down 12/32nds... ... ..... I had 4/32nds before the re-grooving, so in theory, I got full depth of tread again... ... ... ... . without exposing any cords or belts.

I did however, after doing more research on Bandag's website, find something very interesting... ... ... . They have a whole section for light trucks... ..... LT.

The tread depth for retreading a 19. 5 for an LT application is 16/32 whereas the tread depth for class 6 trucks and larger is 22/32nd.

Also, I would think that the base of the retread below the 16/32 would be equal to or greater than what little you lose when re-grooving... .

mi dos centavos

 

[Barry]

Hey Folks,



There is a guy on Craigslist in the SF Bay area(Campbell) with 4 Rickson 19. 5 X 8" wheels and 265 tires for $1,000 bucks!



He is including the SS wheel covers. I just sent him a note asking where he got the SS wheel covers... ... ... ... they are slick! If anyone buys the wheels and does not want the wheel covers, I am a buyer!



Good luck!