Rickson wheels, Hankook tires

[Jeremiah]

Rickson 19.5" wheels, Hankook DH01 tires

It was with some trepidation that I ordered Rickson's 19. 5" powder silver steel wheels instead of the more expensive aluminum alloy offering. My feelings were deflated even more when the auto shop that unwrapped the steel wheels commented, "Gee, these look like they came off a UPS truck. " However, once on my truck and with the chrome rings and factory centers in place, I must say that I am happy I followed Heather's recommendation to buy steel. Every aspect of my truck has been improved - ride, handling, looks and (hopefully) miles per gallon.



I only have 150 miles on the truck since installing the Ricksons, but it's been driven over a variety of roads. All told, I couldn't be more pleased. As someone else reported, the 245 R70 Hankooks DH01s "sing" a little on the highway but it's not objectionable.



I commented to Heather that the improvement over the factory wheel and tire combo was so dramatic that I almost wish I had gone to 265s. However, had I done so I may have met the law of diminishing returns in the other areas.



I was also hoping for a decrease of 200 rpms at 75 mph (I only got a 100 rpm decrease) but the low and middle rpms fall just about where I wanted them to be. Since that's where most of my driving takes place, I guess I'm just about where I want to be. I consider the $2,700 well-spent and I expect to get ahead of the game when I buy my next set of tires, oh, maybe 100,000 miles from now.



Too bad 19. 5" wheels and commercial tires aren't a factory option. They are a great idea and I'm delighted free enterprise developed them for us! Oo.

 

[p-Bar]

Wish I could afford a setup like yours . I don't understand why the automakers can't think outside the box. Let us know your MPG gain

 

[Regcabguy]

Larger "E" rated availability

I'd settle for more choices of "E" rated tires in larger sizes. I'm amazed that companies even sell tires for us in "D" ratings regardless of weight ratings in light of all the ambulance chasers out there. Costco won't mount a non-factory specified tire anymore.

 

[JErskine]

hey greg when is the new lift available and price

 

[Jeremiah]

Will do, p-Bar. It'll be a couple of weeks though. I'm happy with the 20 mpgs I get now and would be equally pleased if it stayed the same (I'd be ecstatic if I got an increase). Still, given the cost of fuel, I drive my truck as little as possible these days. That's the only way I can help change the price of diesel - reduce demand by 0. 0000001 percent or so.

 

[Edgemann55]

Thanks for the update. I have been waiting to see if you were happy with this set up. I have 25,000 on the stock Michelin's and they are around half worn. After reading how happy you are I think I will pull the trigger and order the steel black powder cote wheels with the Hankooks. I like the look with the trim rings next to a white truck like mine. I plan on keeping this truck for many 100's of thousands of miles so I think the 19. 5's will be a nice addition.

 

[Jeremiah]

Couldn't agree more, Edgemann55. Black against white would look good. I assume you are talking to Heather. She has a good feel for colors and I am pleased with what she recommended for me.



I got 30,000 miles out of two sets of BFG 265 70 17 OEM tires. The most recent set still has 5/32 tread left, which means I will keep them in case something unforeseen happens and I sell the truck. The 19. 5" wheels stay with me! Good luck! It takes Rickson a month or more to get an order out, but part of that is because they hand-pick the tires.



Heather told me they choose one out of 12 tires and send the rest back to Hankook - too many high spots. I questioned her about this and she said unlike regular tires commercial tires aren't as round as they should be. That's why Rickson picks and chooses.



I coudn't be more pleased with their choice and the way they are matched to the wheel. Solid as a rock going down the road!

 

[ShawnHarvey]

How long did it take for your rims to ship. I ordered the same set up for my dually 8 1/2 weeks ago. I understand they had problems with there supplers. I' m just impatient maybe.

 

[IC Smoke]

Sounds great, Glad you like them!!!



Any photos??



Ian

 

[Jeremiah]

How long to ship?

How long did it take for your rims to ship. I ordered the same set up for my dually 8 1/2 weeks ago. I understand they had problems with there supplers. I' m just impatient maybe.

Count your blessings. Rickson hand-picks Hankook tires (maybe other brands too) and chooses only the best ones. Unlike regular tires (SUV, passenger, LT, etc. ), commercial tires aren't always as round as they should be. Heather said they keep one out of 12 and send the rest back. That's one reason why it takes so long to get complete sets. I don't recall when I placed my order but 4-8 weeks sounds about right, depending on what comes in. Do you have an estimated ship date? If not, I'll bet they can give you one.

 

[Jeremiah]

Sounds great, Glad you like them!!!



Any photos??



Ian

I do. I'll send 'em to you if you'll host 'em. My email adddress is -- email address removed --

 

[SKing]

I wish rickson made a wheel that looks like my Welds#ad

 

[IC Smoke]

Jeremiahs photos:



"File Too Large. Limit for this filetype is 109. 4 KB. Your file is 231. 3 KB. "

Sorry they are so small guys, the . bmp file is too large to get to the 400x786 limits

 

[nickleinonen]

just took a look at the rickson site, and they have a pretty nice looking vision #81 wheel. 19. 5x7. 5" i think those would look good with some 265 or 285's. . [just don't want G or H tires though... ]



-

 

[Jeremiah]

just took a look at the rickson site, and they have a pretty nice looking vision #81 wheel. 19. 5x7. 5" i think those would look good with some 265 or 285's. . [just don't want G or H tires though... ]



-

Re G or H tires... I can only say the Hankooks I bought are G-rated and they handle and ride better (smoother) than the factory OEMs. I thought, being commercial MS tires, they would be 14- or 16-ply. I was surprised to find they are 4-ply tread and 1-ply sidewall, both steel. Max load capacity is 4540 lbs ea. (aired up of course).



Rickson recommends 75 lbs, never less than 65. Max per tire is 110 lbs. but the ride might be a little bumpy. :-laf I think the axles or springs would break before the tire does.



As I said before, I am totally satisfied today. Whether I am that way 80,000 miles from now when they begin to wear, who's to say?

 

[ZHutton]

I used to work as a mechanic in a spring shop, this is a shop that mostly works on commercial trucks and specializes in suspension and alignments but we got into most anything if we were slow.



We had a machine that actually cut the tire tread, you jacked the vehicle up and get things set up so the tire could spin freely. Then you set up this machine and let its drive wheel slowly turn the tire and you had a little cutting blade that spun and it cut the high spots off the tread of the tire.



You wound up with a pile of rubber from cutting rubber off the tread, but it actually increased tire life and reduced the need for wheel balance weights because the tire was more round.



I guess that fact rickson hand picks stuff and ships it all ready to bolt on is good, but if you really need tires you have other options if they will sell just the rims to you.



I am new to the site but my new to me dodge is about done with the wrangler something or other tires on it right now.



I am seriously considering this option since I am very disappointed in tire offerings for a dually with 17 inch rims.



I have found some that will do the job, but after reading more and more about tires I really think the rickson singles might be nice since I could also lose my dually fenders as well.



Thanks for the post and please post any new thoughts or updates, it sounds like lots of folks are considering this.

 

[fireman717]

Did you have to lift the front end to get those 19. 5 on there. I am looking at the aluminum wheels #81 with the mud and snow tires at 265 maybe 285. Are there any mods I would need to do. Besides parting with about 4,000 bucks without the wife finding out.

 

[Jeremiah]

I used to work as a mechanic in a spring shop, this is a shop that mostly works on commercial trucks and specializes in suspension and alignments but we got into most anything if we were slow.



We had a machine that actually cut the tire tread, you jacked the vehicle up and get things set up so the tire could spin freely. Then you set up this machine and let its drive wheel slowly turn the tire and you had a little cutting blade that spun and it cut the high spots off the tread of the tire.



You wound up with a pile of rubber from cutting rubber off the tread, but it actually increased tire life and reduced the need for wheel balance weights because the tire was more round.



I guess that fact rickson hand picks stuff and ships it all ready to bolt on is good, but if you really need tires you have other options if they will sell just the rims to you.



I am new to the site but my new to me dodge is about done with the wrangler something or other tires on it right now.



I am seriously considering this option since I am very disappointed in tire offerings for a dually with 17 inch rims.



I have found some that will do the job, but after reading more and more about tires I really think the rickson singles might be nice since I could also lose my dually fenders as well.



Thanks for the post and please post any new thoughts or updates, it sounds like lots of folks are considering this.

Thanks for the comment, Mr. Hutton. I remember that some shops cut high spots off tires. Don't know any that do today, though. Rickson told me they will accept tires with one high spot. All the others are rejected. I agree that tires could be "rounded" and made to run longer.



I don't know what you use your truck for, but be sure and check load capacities and GVWRs carefully before moving from a duallie to a SRW, or from a 2500 to a 3500. Moving to a 3500 doesn't necessary increase the amount of weight you can haul around.



I remain very happy with my tires but was amazed to find commercial tires with one steel sidewall plies and four steel tread plies. I was expecting that a G rating might require 14- or 16-ply tires. But then this is the first set of commercial tires I've ever owned.

 

[ZHutton]

Point taken on messing with tires and knowing your truck's capabilities.



I don't come close to doing what this truck is capable of so that is why I am considering some of the options I mentioned. I just wanted the diesel and a stickshift and this was what I found at a price I liked.

 

[Jeremiah]

Point taken on messing with tires and knowing your truck's capabilities.



I don't come close to doing what this truck is capable of so that is why I am considering some of the options I mentioned. I just wanted the diesel and a stickshift and this was what I found at a price I liked.

Then you will love the SRW! Do a search on the Whiplash short-shifter and you'll love it even more. It cuts the shaft "throw" by about 20 percent or so.