Rickson 19.5's and Unsprung Weight

[Big MAK]

It appears I need to go to significantly upgraded wheels and tires to tow my 5th wheel due to the fairly heavy pin weight and the lack of load carrying capacity with respect to the tires.



I'm near or at the GVWR but it looks like I may be about a ton over the load carrying capacity of the SRW tires...



So; I may end up with 19. 5s and commercial G load range tires but I'm worried about wear and tear on wheel bearings, etc.



Post your experiences please!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Mark, from what I am told:



Stock alum wheel/tire: ~80 pounds

Rickson alum wheel/245 tire ~100 lbs

Rickson steel w/245 tire ~120 lbs



You might PM Eric Buckle (EricBU12), he's pretty happy with his forged aluminum Ricksons.



Vaughn

 

[Parks]

I have not had any problems with my Rickson's 19. 5 steel wheels with 265 tires.

 

[geusterman]

The steel wheels will feel harder to slow down and won't cycle as fast on bumps. The tires themselves are a lot harder as well. I really liked mine on my 02 but sold them after trying on 04. Will hold out for proper offset aluminum Ricksons and maybe a G tire (had H) if I go 19. 5. The stock BFG's are handling the 4K camper. I towed 25K total the other day as well. Might just go 35" x 17 but really like the assurance of 19. 5. My 02 ran the freeways with the camper like a sports car. George

 

[edgerat]

friend of mine has an 05 DRW truck with the aluminum ricksons and the ride quality thus far is just as good if not better than stock. I can't comment on wear and tear yet as he just got them on about 3500k ago but they really feel like stop in regards to breaking and everything else.

 

[Big MAK]

Things worked out; thankfully. I have KORE Weld Cheyennes and wanted to 'downsize' my mud tires for towing and travel season... until this tire could not find anything but off-road tires for my 18" wheels so was considering a complete swap out.



FINALLY someone is making a load rated 18" street tire!!!!!!!



In fact; we didn't even know it until ordering and checking the stamps in the side... . until this version they had "reinforced" but not "reinforced+extreme load" -- at-least we couldn't find them advertised anywhere. They aren't even on Michelin's website.



Michelin Pilot LTX Reinforced Extreme Load 285/60r18



rated for 3090 lbs -- only 100 lbs less then stock but getting it at 50lbs pressure which makes for a nice ride.



Same height as stock tires; 1 inch wider; look nice on 18" wheels.



Ride/handle like a dream -- but take that lightly until I put the trailer on for the real test.



More quiet then stock tires which is quite a shock after swapping out the aggressive mud tires!

 

[BHolm]

I'm near or at the GVWR but it looks like I may be about a ton over the load carrying capacity of the SRW tires...





Post your experiences please!

You lost me there... ... You are 2000 lbs over the tires capacity so you choose tires that are rated for 100lbs LESS each than the stock tires and the problem is solved?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Nice find on the tires Mark. How spendy?

 

[Big MAK]

You lost me there... ... You are 2000 lbs over the tires capacity so you choose tires that are rated for 100lbs LESS each than the stock tires and the problem is solved?

Yeah; I was way over-estimating the weight I had. Lost myself for a while too.

 

[Big MAK]

Nice find on the tires Mark. How spendy?

I ended up paying $310 each from a local tire dealer I trust. Michelins are expensive. May be able to get them cheaper online -- just make sure they're the tires rated for over 3000 lbs. The mileage warranty is significant -- 80,000 miles. I want to confirm that yet though.

 

[jjdiesel]

Mark, I realize that you already purchased, but Continental makes a E rated tire for 18" wheels... Contitrac TR. It's the OE tire on the Ferd King Ranch truck. Just thought someone else may want to know as well.

 

[Big MAK]

Thanks JJ; good info.