305/55/R20 Nitto Tire Questions

[DieselFiend]

I've got a set of 305/55/R20 Nitto Grapplers. I've had them balanced twice now and even had one defective tire replaced. The truck is still shaking like the tires are still out of balance. Is anyone else with this setup having problems like this or should I take them to a different tire place to have the balanced? When I put the stock wheels and tires back on, it's smooth again. Also, what pressure are you running them at. I was running them at 60 PSI but aired them down to 50 to see if it made the vibration worse or better. Turns out, it made the vibration worse. Any response by someone who is running this setup would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MCummings]

Sounds like teh rims might be theh culprit.



Try putting just the rims on a balancer...





Merrick

 

[SSell]

trying to figure out same issues on my toyo 325/60/18's, seems like lower pressure smooths it out slightly---but it definitely got worse after 2nd tire rotation (front to back, backs to front but left to right)

 

[Giachino]

I'm assuming they're e rated??? Makes me nervous as the Toyo's I wanted are backordered so I ordered a pair of Nitto 285x70x17's for the stock rims... . they're e rated so I assumed they'd be ok.....

 

[DieselFiend]

My Nitto 305's are E rated also.

 

[p-Bar]

The Hunter Road force balancer seems like the hot set to me . It puts pressure on the tire like you would be driving down the road. Try your better tire retailers. I don't know where you are?

 

[DieselFiend]

I'm in Idaho but I bought the wheels and tires at discount tire in texas. The second time they balanced them, they told me they put them on the road force machine. Thats when the found one tire had too much rubber on one side. Since I was leaving back for Idaho, I wasn't able to get it replaced in texas. When I got home, I pulled the wheels and tires off and put the stock ones back on. I then took that one bad tire to spokane and had it replaced. I asked them to road force it but they told me they weren't able to do it because it's a 10 ply tire. Sooooo, I put the set back on the truck and now it shakes at 70 MPH or so. It's driving me nuts. I'm goning to take it down to les shwab here in town and see if they can do something about it.

 

[p-Bar]

That really sucks ,keep us posted



P. S. went onHunters website downloaded the PDF on the machine pics show 19. 5 wheel/tire being put on machine. Go figure

 

[p-Bar]

Emailed Hunter for kicks:



Dear Mr. Don Philippbar,



Hmmmm... Did the tire shop explain why they could not balance a 10 ply

light truck tire on the road force balancer?



There is not enough information in the message below to know why they

would say this... If the tire and wheel is less than 175 lbs. , is less than

40" in diameter and the shop has the correct mounting adaptors to fit the

wheel application there should be no problems balancing and using Road

Force measurement on a 10 ply truck tire.



Sincerely,

David Scribner

Product Manager

HUNTER Engineering Company

 

[DieselFiend]

Pbar, they told me that trying to road force a 10-ply tire that large wouldn't produce any real results. This was discount tire up in Spokane, WA on division. Unfortunatly, no one here in my town has a road force balancer. I'll have to take it to Boise for that. Mean while, I'll just wait for my teeth to shake out of my skull. PBar, thanks for the help!

 

[Nine Ball]

replied to your PM, but to answer your other question I run mine at 50 psi and they ride perfectly smooth and quiet.



I've had the truck up to 110 mph, no probs here. Did I just type that? haha



Tony

 

[DieselFiend]

Thanks Nine Ball. I was running mine at 50 psi but the vib got worse so I aired them back up to 62 in the front and 60 in the back and they ride much better. But, I still feel a vibration. Something isn't right with them so I'm going to let the les shwab guys see if they can figure it out. I'll let you all know what I find out.

 

[twmcneilly]

same thing...

I had the exact same issue with the Nittos. I knew better than to stray from BFG All-Terrains but I did anyway. I thought I wanted the 20" look. I tried the Nittos on Predators from Discount tire. I had them in three times in three weeks for re-bal. Every time they were significantly out. Lucky I had a great shop in Renton WA who allowed me to swap the whole setup for 17s and BFG ATs. this was on my '06 3500



I had the same problem several years ago on a '96 2500 V-10, with Open Countries from Les Schwab. they ordered up a set of of BFGs and no problems.



I've learned my lesson. But I don't understand how everyone else is able to tolerate the miserable ride. I like the 17" look better too. The 20's seem to work better on "Urban" style vehicles. Trucks need meat.