Stronger tires?

[Bumble]

Ok, fellows. Here's the situation. A family member (known as Tugger on the TDR) just returned from a month long road trip with a new Lance truck camper on a 97 2500. The Lance is a 8. 5 ft lite model, so it only weighs around 2000 lbs, and the truck handled it well (and got great mileage too). But, they had a slight problem on the trip, one of the OEM tires (Goodyear Wrangler 245-75R16) developed a tear on the sidewall. Nothing happened as it was discovered while stopped in a campground and was replaced with the spare.

Now, they are concerned about the tires being overloaded and want to replace them with better (i. e. stronger) tires. The OEM tires are currently on the factory 16x6 rims, but they also have a set of forged aluminum 16x8 rims available.

What tires would everyone recommend? They are looking for regular highway tread and the highest capacity and sidewall strength they can get. They have looked at the Rickson 19. 5's but have concern on one fitting in the spare area.

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2001, 3500, 5sp, 3. 54LS, 4x4, pyro and boost on the A-pillar, 165 watt backup lights, Thomas powered on-board air system, Grovers.

 

[Barry]

I am very inpressed with the Michleins that are on my 2001. 256/75/16s Load E. I think they are rated at over 3000# per tire. Unless someone invents a better mouse trap I'll replace them with same soon... ... Barry

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, EZ with elbow(26. 5PSI) Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 25,000 Miles on 01/30/01(RV Dealer)

 

[Okie-Go]

I have the Michelin 265-75-R16AS E. I will go with the same. A set of them on the aluminum wheels looks real nice and will hold the weight. I wish the BFG all terrain came in load range E for our size but they don't. Overall I am very happy.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[B.G. Smith]

Started out with 225-75R-15 Marathons, switched to 225-75R-16 Wranglers, still couldn't keep fenderwells on the 5th wheel, now have about 10,000 miles on Cooper tires, look good so far. I have two sets of Goodyears stacked in my garage if anyone has the nerve to run them.

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 110 gal. aux. fuel tank.

 

[Cooker]

I'll agree with the Michelins. I have the MS series which is excellent on the highway, and deals with the white stuff suprisingly well. The would not be worth $. 02 in the mud though.


[This message has been edited by Cooker (edited 02-23-2001). ]

 

[Pete Peterson]

bumble, take a look at the B. F. Goodrich All Terrains they are the only 3 ply sidewall tire on the market. Their load range is equal to and in most cases greater than the E range tires that come on the 2500's Pete

Also; the Michelins are a fantastic tire too!!

 

[Cooker]

FYI the Goodyear MTR's are also a three ply sidewall. They may be too agressive for the application though.

 

[Windrider]

Since it's a 3/4 ton I'm assuming it already had load range E tires on it.

Are those tires original equipment?

Tires only ast 3 to 5 years depending on how you would like to push your luck, and the weather/ozone in your area.

Do the other 3 tires exhibit much weather checking?

It may just be time for a new set.

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Pepe (My little Mule)
2001 HO, 3. 54 rear gears Forest Green Quad Cab
Ordered 2/5/01

[This message has been edited by Windrider (edited 02-23-2001). ]

 

[Okie-Go]

Has anyone ran a load range D instead of the E that came on our 2500's. I want a little rougher tread like the bfg all terain but it does not have range E. I want to keep same size cause I do pull and haul quite often. I wonder if 400 or 500 pound rating would a make a difference if you pull or haul a load?

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Ted Constantine]

okie-go,
I run load range D BFG MT's on my truck. I would not go with the MT's again because they don't match my application any more but they have been good tires. I found the Michelin's wear like iron and are great on the road but suck in the snow(both AS ans MS models). This is the second truck for this set of MT's. They were on my 98. 5 gasser. The only negative is the noise.

As far as load, I have run well over the rated gvw for a 2500 and had no problem but I have yet to do any real towing on the new truck.

If I was buying new tires. I would go with the BFG AT ko. I have friend with them and they are awsome for almost anything. I also would go for the 295/75r16 to balance out my 4. 10's on the highway.

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2001. 5 2500, quad cab, 4X4, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 LSD, 255/85 BFG MT, Leer topper, Piaa driving 510's in bumper, Line-X, Stereo= JVC KD-MX3000, MBQuart 6. 5 components in front doors, 6. 5 coax in rear, JL Audio Stealth Box sub in center seat, Fosgate 400a4 and 250a2 amps, DynaMat everywhere

 

[rich m]

if the price-tag doesn't scare'em the Ricksons are fabulous!--- the spare will fit, but may rub the final bend of the exhaust tubing----a piece of fiberglass and sheet-steel should make for a decent heat-shield, if that becomes an issue. (not a problem with my exhaust system). . I'm running the bus tires on my truck. (Unisteel G159's from goodyear) Steel belts all the way up both sidewalls. Shipping bill based on 120lb EACH!! #ad
Here's a couple of pix: (photo-op for the truck!)
#ad
#ad
#ad


[This message has been edited by rich m (edited 02-24-2001). ]

 

[Cooker]

When comparing a larger D tire to the stock 245 E's, the larger D's sometimes have more capacity. Kinda wierd huh?

 

[Bumble]

Thanks for the information.

Pete, I'll send along the comment about the B. F. Goodrich All Terrains.

Windrider, yes it's a 3/4t currently running the OEM tires. Their truck spends it's off time sitting in a garage, so the sun shouldn't be too much of a cause of tire degradation, but time would be a cause.

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2001, 3500, 5sp, 3. 54LS, 4x4, pyro and boost on the A-pillar, 165 watt backup lights, Thomas powered on-board air system, Grovers.

 

[Sleeper]

I'm running 275/70 16 BFG AT's. I went with them because I wanted more width for floatation but not the height of 285/75's. They are Load Range D but at 3000 lbs they easily exceed my axle capability. I highly recommend them.

Sleeper

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98 QC 2WD 5 Sp 3. 54 BD Mods: K&N, #11 plate, 16cm, 4" back from gutted cat. 340 RWHP