Rickson/other 19.5" wheels and tires

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I did a search and found only one relevant thread regarding Rickson and other 19. 5" wheel/tire combinations. Could those of you who are running 19. 5" wheels please post any and all info such as: how do they handle, any bearing/mechanical problems, off road capability, rain/snow, etc. Thanks a lot.

Dave.

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99 QC SB 4x4 Auto
Factory Ordered
Most Options

[This message has been edited by Dave MacArthur (edited 10-16-2000). ]

 

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I had them on my '96 3500 4x2, and will be moving them over to my new 2001 3500 4x4 soon. I love 'em. They look great, and they handle great.

I got the General LMT-400 tires, because they have a deal where you can get them as take-offs from the Ford F550 that they have a 22. 5" package for, so they're pretty inexpensive. They appear to be decent A/T type tires, with a fairly aggressive shoulder for mud and snow.

I have about 6000 miles on 'em so far and you can't tell that they're the least bit worn, aside from one tire that was eaten by the **** pulling-to-the-right problem that my '96 had (one of the reasons it got traded).

What I really liked was how, with 65 psi in the rear tires, with my 4200# camper in back, the tires didn't even bulge. The max pressure rating for those tires is 95 psi.

You also can't beat Rickson for service. They've treated me exceptionally well.

Rob

 

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I have on mine as well. I have the Dual Designs package because the Rickson's weren't available when I bought them. They handle great, although I don't care for their performance in the rain. At 80psi they are to hard for a lightweight truck and tend to slip a lot.

 

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Ditto on the rain comment. Everything is great except the rain handling. My little 7100# truck just does not load them enough. I also speced out long wearing tires (bridgestone M724 load range G) Aggressive looking tread-read what the manufacturer has to say about its performance-dont look at the tread. If it does not say all weather performance it is not. If it says long wearing in OTR and local delivery that is what it is optimized for. Not its rain handling. That is your or my choice of tire not an inherent flaw. The handeling is stiffer. I like it. It will side step on washboards just a little more easily due to extra unsprung weight(tire choice again- lots of rubber). All in all I love them and do not want to go back,

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P. Campbell 1998. 5 ISB 2500 auto green/driftwood

 

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Thanks a lot for the info so far. Anyone else? I am very concerned about rain handeling though. Have you tried lowering the air pressure when empty. Does that help?

Thanks again,
Dave

 

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Dave,

Handling: much better than the 255/85R16D tires I was using. The handling inmprovement comes at the expense of a harsher ride because the lower profile has less sidewall flex than the 85R16 tires.

Bearing/mechanical problems: none in 14K miles

Off Road capability: Very durable - almost immune to rock damage. With the right tread they provide plenty of traction. My 19. 5" Toyo's handle snow and dirt well; mud performance is good, but you just can't float a diesel; wet and dry pavement traction is very good - wet traction is not a problem with 10,400 pounds on my 2500. The 70 profile has a shorter sidewall that does not absorb as much rock/rut impact as the taller 85 profile tires.

With the weight of my truck, gravel roads and trails would wear out a set of LT255/85R16 tires within 15k miles. The 19. 5G tires have 14k miles and over half of the tread is still remainiing.

The 19. 5" wheel and tire combination is heavy. I didn't weigh the 19. 5's, but there is a big difference between them and the 255/85R16 versions when you have to pick them up. It takes both Sue and I to get the tire and wheel onto the rear bumper tire rack.

I'm NOT going back to 16" LT tires! Dave

PS more good comments are on this thread: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum3/HTML/001249.html


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1994 2500HD 4X4 modified for off-road camping
2001 2500 ETH/DEE QC SB 4X4
Fritz's Dodge Ram Tech Page

 

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Rain handling will be dependent on the tire you choose. As I mentioned, I have the General LMT-400's on mine, which are the OEM tire on the Ford F-550. I haven't looked closely, but I think they're M+S rated. I sure HOPE they are.

Weight... Dave isn't kidding. My old wheels/tires weighed 65 lbs each. These are 105 lbs each according to the UPS sticker when they arrived, and that was with minimal cardboard and plastic packaging.

The first thing you learn is not to jack the truck up any higher than absolutely necessary. That way you can avoid lifting the tire except just a little to get it onto the lugs.

I'm eager to get mine on the truck, but I'm waiting until I get the air springs mounted, so I don't have to take those heavy wheels off right after putting 'em on. I did that with the 96 already. Not doing it again. #ad


BTW, once they're on, odds are good that I'll sell off my stock wheels and tires (maybe including the spare) if anybody wants 'em... email me for info. They're the new 2000+ wheels with the eight holes and new simulators and the Goodyear Wrangler AP tires (remember, I have a dually).
Rob

 

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Rob,

Good, helpful post.

A couple questions: How is the truck's performance affected (launch/cornering/stopping) with the larger wheels/tires? I've forgotten the term ("inertial rolling resistance?") but there is a phenomenon that is a function of tire weight and size, which results in more wear and tear on the drivetrain, brakes, etc.

I'm running 285-75-16 BFGs on Alcoa Rims right now and this, in itself, is a much heavier than stock tire/wheel set up. How much taller are the Rickson's than what I've got, now, do you know. My current tires are about 33" tall.

I'm worried a little about the "harsher ride," described, since these trucks aren't exactly "comfort-cruisers," to start with. I'm wondering if the ride would be pretty much the same if I just dialed down my Rancho 9000s a notch or two.

But, my biggest concern is the "take off" responsiveness that would be a consequence of mounting up a much heavier tire/wheel combination. I tried, not too long ago, a set of 35" tall "Wild Countries," and I hated the way the truck felt: Very sluggish going up hills, the shift points all messed up, and a "wallowing" sensation going around corners. I took the tires back to the dealer after putting 11 miles on 'em and had them removed!

I also have a set of stock (factory) tires and wheels (with under 1000 miles wear) available for interested parties! #ad

 

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I've a number of posts about 19. 5 tires but no one every talks about money. Is it one of those things, if you have to ask you can't afford it.

 

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I've a number of posts about 19. 5 tires but no one every talks about money. Is it one of those things, if you have to ask you can't afford it.

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1997 Ext Cab, 3500, 5 Speed, Amsoil throughout, 4X4, beautiful blue

 

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- It was my tire choice about the rain problem. There are dozens of different tires to get. My acceleration was ok- but I started out with 4. 10's which was half the reason to get the bigger tires.

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P. Campbell 1998. 5 ISB 2500 auto green/driftwood

 

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You guys most likely already know this trick for mounting heavy tires but I will suggest it anyway. Lay some kind of bar preferably flat stock directly under the hub. Roll the tire onto the stock and inline with the hub. Balance the tire at the top with one hand and pick up the stock and the tire with the other. Helps to save the back even with the stock tires.

 

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Thanks for all the help. I am trying to decide between 255/85's and the Rickson's. Does anyone know if they make a 245/75 in 19. 5? Would that be a good idea? It seems that it would offer the same/better ride quality as stock while allowing for the commercial tires. The rough ride and poor rain performance some have reported are the only reason I am not 100% convinced to go with the Rickson's right now. I am leaning heavily in that direction though.

Thanks, Dave.

 

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Sasquach:

I didn't really notice any sluggishness with the 19. 5's... but then again, the '96 was an automatic and it was slushy anyway. I'll be able to report better once I put them on my new truck (soon -- IF Hellwig will ever send me replacement airbag parts. . grrr).

I felt it cornered better with the 19. 5's and braked just as well as it did before. The ride might be described as more harsh, but I wouldn't use that word. I'd use "responsive" instead. I tend to drive the truck like a sports car, so I really value the lower profile tire.

As for tire height, the 225/75's are equivelent to the factory 235/85-16's. I know there are lots of sizes to choose from. Give Rickson a call or an email and tell them what you want. They can help you decide exactly what's right for you.

One word of caution to anybody getting these: It takes probably 500 miles for the tires to heat cycle themselves so the rubber will harden. Until then, you're gonna be going, "Oh my gawd, what have I done? This is HORRIBLE!" because of how the truck will feel very squirmish and unpredictable. It's really bad over grooved surfaces. So don't put these on just before heading out on a long trip. Put 'em on and plan on driving it around a LOT to get heat into the tires so they can be "curing". #ad


Price... I think I paid around $2700 including the simulators for mine. BUT, again, that's SIX wheels since I have a dually. Knock about $700 or so off for you 2500 guys.

Rob

 

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Dave, I have a 245-70/19. 5 Michelin. I haven't seen any of those in a 75 series.

Sasquatch, my tires (see above) are 33" tall, 3" taller than my factory tires. This results in a lower rearend ratio. I had 3. 54 to start with, and the new tires has made it like a 3. 24. I really need new gears, especially since I am considering a lift and some 37" tires.

 

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Originally posted by rph1366:
I've a number of posts about 19. 5 tires but no one every talks about money. Is it one of those things, if you have to ask you can't afford it.

Howdy, Fellow Pill-pusher!-- I got mine slightly (1-2000miles) used from a guy at work who was selling his '97-- gave me a mild discount for set of 5-$2500... yes they're heavy!! I have the Goodyear G-149 Unisteels and the ups lading bill was 120lb each.
Rain? what's that? I live in Las Vegas.
These are "UPS truck" tires, 6 1" wide ribs separated by deep channels about 1/2" deep.
Huge load rating. (in excess of 4K per tire, which exceeds the stamped-in 3500-ish wheel limit)
The sidwalls are steel-belted from bead to bead, rather than tread-only
Very little side-flex going around a curve
Been on since odometer read 38K. . Now at 69K, but w/10% diameter difference, there's really been about 34K miles of pavement put behind us, and they still look new. ( also they're regroovable, so when the tread's finally gone, I can put the "stockers" back on while these are getting re-cut
Offroad--these are not Jeep tires, by any stretch of the imagination! In Nevada I can get away with doing some light mountain climbing and desert driving, but in mud they'd be the slickest "spinners" you might ever see
Inertial loading... not much of an issue when the "stock" to "modified" difference is only 10% or thereabouts.
hope this helps

 

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I LOVE my 19. 5's! Every other RAM driver that goes by takes a good long look at them, they handle pretty good, and are, overall, a good product.

The one thing I've noticed, with my Toyo MZ's, is that they are slower to react to steering input than the 16". That is, you have to turn in to a corner sooner than you're used to in order to keep your line.

In terms of handling rain/snow, the Toyo MZ's are excellent in the rain. They have aggressive treads, and a soft compound that hold the road like glue. The offset, of course, is that they wear out pretty quickly. I'm hoping to get 25K out of mine. This weekend should give me an idea of how well they do in the snow, though I expect they will do better than the BFG Mudders I used to have on.

So far, I'm really pleased with them. The only tricky part is getting the simulators to be perfectly centered on the wheel so they don't wobble.

Don

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1999 Sport 2500 QC LB, 4x4, SLT, 5 Spd, 3. 54, Camper Package, Trailer Package, Linex liner, SmittyBilt nurfs, K&N filters, 245/70R19. 5 Toyo M680Z, 19. 5" rims, SilBlade wipers, NO silencer ring

 

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Thanks for everyone's help. I drove up to Rickson's the other day and looked at their operation and looked over the tire selection. I decided to order the 19. 5x6. 75" rims in black and use my center caps. They will be getting trim rings for the 19. 5's sometime early next year and I plan to add them at that time. I went with the Michelin XZT 245/70's. Matt and Dan were very helpfull and took a lot of time to talk to me about anything and everything I wanted to ask about. I will report back after they are installed and let everyone know how they ride etc.

Thanks,
Dave.