upgrade 215's to 235's?

[RJ2]

Has there been anything negative on replacing the 215's with 235's using the Mich XPS Rib, installed on a 97 3500?

Thanks RJ

 

[gitchesum]

No negatives here. Plenty of room between the rear tires.

Speedo is a little off. 4. 5% slower according to calculations.



I won't buy 215's again.

 

[RJ2]

Thanks ,

 

[willyslover]

just an FYI. . they make them in traction tread also if ya need them



and they ride a little stiffer than others, do to the design of the sidewalls. . but also wear nice I run traction version on my Dually and live in the mountains

 

[QRTRHRS]

willyslover,



What ply rating do they carry? Sounds like you like them?



My 97 had come used with 235's, I next tried 215's just to see how they would feel but am also going back up to 235's. I really should have bought new for this past winter. With all the snow we had, no tread, 370's and a #11 made for fun.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Only thing you should watch for-keep tire pressure up so that when you load truck sidewalls of tires (duals) do not make contact. The constant rubbing together of the tires will cause the sidewalls to deteriorate and blow out.

 

[willyslover]

QRTHRS. . I don't have my rig with me 3 hrs. away. . there are several recent threads about tire size on Duallys... on the most recent one I posted side wall weight ratings. . they were E's I believe ... . you can go to Michelin's page and get weight ratings but the page has some ambiguous info. . BUT THEY ARE EXTRA HD tires well into the E rating weights.



yes I have used these on both of my rigs and love'em. . I live in the mountains at 4000' and the roads are narrow and tight twisty. . I do not wear them out I grind them off 'cause I drive it like a slot car... . I got 25k out of the original set on my 98. 5. . then I put on the XPS and got 60K + when I wrecked the rig. . on my 01. 5 replacement rig I got 35+ on the factory Mich. and replaced them with XPS again. . so far I have 45K on them and they are about half way point.



as to driving impressions. . they do not roll over like the Michelin stockers in the turns and were way more stable with a load. . these are a commercial tire with steel side walls and do not bulge out on the sidewalls as the "soft ridding tires" do so clearance with a load IS NOT an issue. . they are a stiffer tire so the ride is a little harsher but for cripe sakes it's a 1 Ton Dually



Check out several places to buy these as they are spendy . . there are good places to buy where you can save a ton in $. . Costco carries these tires on special order basis [three day turn around from order to delivery]. . Sams also has them [most don't carry the traction tread in stock]... when pricing tires check out the mount and balance prices also as they vary a ton. . and some have life time rotate and balance with price. . and life time rotation on a Dually is a nice thing to have LOL



SORRY for long post

 

[moparguy]

As a FYI, I had 6, 235/85/16 Michelin XPS Ribs installed today. Cost per tire was $158. 30, mount, balance, 4 new metal valve stems and tax came to $1087. 17. This was at the local independent tire store.



So far, I like em. They are quite a bit heaver than most same size tires, this greater unsprung weight and the stiffer sidewalls WS mentioned does contribute a little roughfer ride, but it's not bad.

 

[RJ2]

Thanks Guys, I have ordered 235's XPS RIB from a local

spot installed with road hazard out the door $1100. They will be in Monday.

 

[QRTRHRS]

That 158. 30 rang a bell. I remembered pricing them when I bought my LTX's. I weighed the price, ride, etc. vs knowing I was going to be doing more commuting then hauling so I went for the lighter and cheaper ones.



My commute will end March 28th so I think I will be going with the XPS in traction tread.

 

[HBarlow]

Several of you wrote of using Michelin XPS Rib tires in the above posts.



My OEM Goodyears have 65k miles on them and I am fast approaching replacement time.



I am impressed with the quality and longevity of Michelin XPS Ribs but am a little uncertain whether they will provide adequate traction in rain, wet grass, soft ground, or the rare muddy road or snowfall here in West Texas.



I put a set of them on my previous F-250HD and got stuck on an inch of snow on top of black top in the street in front of my house.



I would appreciate reading the experiences and opinions of those who have used Michelin XPS Ribs on the drive wheels of Dodge Ram 3500s.



Harvey