Tire Options for the Dually???? [Archive]

Maverick

03-20-2002, 00:33

My stock goodyears lasted 39,000. The 215 is a hard tire to find. I wanted an aggressive tread as I plow too. I have a set of 215's called Chaparral A/P on it now. I don't think they are that good in snow. I am getting 235's next. Better selection. Going on 56,000 now. :D

Heartbeat Hauler

03-20-2002, 13:34

Well if remember correctly, some time ago there was a lengthy thread about this very subject. I believe the outcome was the 235s would fit, but they would rub when the truck is loaded, i.e. 5ver. I thought someone said a 5/8 to 3/4 spacer was required with the stock wheels. Also, GM would not do any performance related fixes if the incorrect size tires were on the truck. I also have the 3500 and hate the bologne skin tires, so if anything is different I'd like to know.

IndigoDually

03-20-2002, 22:42

I too would like to move up to 235/85's or 245/75's. Does anyone have a source for wheel spacers? Iwould be interested in them now because I have to run 80 psi. in my rear tires now to eliminate rubbing and I would like to go with larger tires in the future.
:D

NickLeinonen

03-21-2002, 05:49

a lot of the guys on the ford forum run those 2" spacers avalable from national 4wheel drive with 255/85/16's. that could be an option if you are looking for bigger tires. they are pricy at $259.xx a pair, but if it's looks you are after, why not..

link:
http://www.natltire.com/ntw0799/pages/dually.html#Anchor-WHEEL-11481

Redhawk

03-21-2002, 10:57

Just to add a comment: I remember from earlier threads on this subject that if you go to spacers between the rear wheels, you have to change out the wheel studs as well because they are too short to work with spacers. I heard that they are very expensive and hard to find. Maybe one of the bettter informed members could clear this up for us.

IndigoDually

03-21-2002, 11:17

The spacers that are referred to above have studs attached to them. I believe that you bolt the spacer over the inside rim and the bolt the outside rim to the new studs on the spacer. this gives you twice the number of lug nuts to tighten and remove. :D On the bright side there is the possibility of losing the outside wheel completely and still having the inside one securely attached.

mackin

03-21-2002, 20:36

I was given this info from a D/C owner for spacers. The Wheel Warehouse 1 714 772 1281 2" spacers about $90 apiece. I haven't called yet but I am going to soon. I have Ultra Wheel Pol. Alum and want to run 235/85/16.
Since the topic is tire upgrade I'm looking for a good rib. Want no noise smooth ride. No rock slinging.Any ideas or hints?
Might go with Pirelli scorpion A/T instead not to aggressive good ratings but not a rib. Would love to go Michelin LTX rib but big bucks at $150 each X 6 is $900 bucks for rubber. Ouch
MAC

IndigoDually

03-21-2002, 21:31

I can tell you that the Michelin's are the longest wearing tires that you can buy but, you can hit something and ruin a $150 tire the same as a $90 tire. Most road hazard warranties are void with our size trucks so be careful about them also.

[ 03-21-2002: Message edited by: IndigoDually ]</p>

ksss

03-22-2002, 12:48

I had put 235's on my 01-3500. They were Kelly MSR. They had to put spacers between the duals. These did not have the studs on them. There was still threads available on the stock studs. I ran the tires to max. air. I loaded the pickup to 32K combined weight and had no problems and have had no problems since (about 8000K). After we talked about the spacers before, I found the receipt. They were $12.00 per spacer. These obviously are not as high speed as the spacers with the lugs but they work. If I recall someone had put 255's on a 3500 without spacers. Why the difference I don't know. I've put the very same tires on a 93 Chev. 3500 and did not need the spacers. The big thing is you don't want the tires to rub, if they do it wont be the Duramax that causing the smoking in the rear view mirror. The spacers were in stock at the tire store. I doubt they would be hard to find. You might have better luck at a tire store that deals with ag or construction tires.

Maverick

03-22-2002, 15:49

Does anyone have 235's on their 01 or newer 3500 without spacers? How much room between duals? Have you pulled heavy and how much room was there then?

Ironhead

03-22-2002, 16:08

ksss, How wide were the $12 spacers you put on? 2" spacers seem like more than necessary to me. I wonder if the tires might stick out from under the fender with 2" spacers?

mackin

03-22-2002, 21:06

I put 235/75/16 on my 1998. They will rub under load. I put 2 yards of top soil in the rubbed. Chevrolet is running the same rim on 3500 as far back as I can remember. I'll bet my 1987 were the same. I will run the 2" spacers they won't stick out beyond fender plenty of space.
MAC :D

IndigoDually

03-23-2002, 07:55

The '01,'02 trucks have a different wheel than the older ones. I ran 245/85's on my '97 without any rubbing even with a 37' GN trailer with 5 horses in it. This new offset is the reason for the difficulty in finding simulators that fit. The space between the stock tires is much narrower that the older trucks.

ksss

03-24-2002, 12:43

IRONHEAD, AS I RECALL THE SPACERS WERE ABOUT 3/4 OF AN INCH. I ONLY USED ONE PER SIDE AND IT GAVE ME ENOUGH ROOM. THE 235'S WERE CLOSE TO MAKING IT WITHOUT THE SPACERS. THE ADDITIONAL 3/4 OF AN INCH MADE THE DIFFERENCE. WHAT INDIGO DUALLY SAYS ABOUT THE CHANGE OF RIMS MAKES SENSE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD CHANGE THE OFFSET BUT WHATEVER.

Mike G

03-28-2002, 06:12

-------------------------------------------------
Does anyone have 235's on their 01 or newer 3500 without spacers? How much room between duals? Have you pulled heavy and how much room was there then?
-------------------------------------------------
Maverick,
I can only answer the first part of your question,
I have LT235's on my 01 3500. 1/4" between the duals, no spacers. At the bottom, where the tires meet the ground, it's even a little less than 1/4", maybe 3/16". I'll bet they'll rub if loaded heavy but I don't know that for a fact.
My bass boat only weighs about 3300 lbs.

newmar

03-28-2002, 11:43

MIKE
I HAVE COPPER 245-75-R16 HT ON MY 02 3500 I HAVE A LITTLE BETTER TAN AN INCH BETWEEN THE TIRES I HAVE THE OLD STYLE ALCOIA CLASSIC

Maverick

03-28-2002, 20:14

Thanks Mike G. I want to put 235's on for my 3rd set of tires. There is no selection of tires for the 215's. There are tons of choices with 235's. I have a spacer that I had for my old stainless simulators that might work. Its about 1/4 inch or so. I pull 25,000lbs sometimes and I know the tires squat alittle when I am that heavy.

N.E. TMRPR

03-28-2002, 21:17

I've owned 3500's duallys since 90. I always got 75,000 to 80,000 with Michelin highway treaded tires. I also replaced every stock tire with 235/85's. The only tires that got lousy mileage life were Goodyears {thats what came stock on my 01, of course}. I now have 33,000 on them and looks like I should get another 30,000. Forgot to mention all trucks were 4wd. I tow goosenecks with livestock and run light to very heavy. What Michelins are you guys looking for? My sister-in-law sells tires and I always get great deals. Riken tires are made by michelin and seem to last the same. By the way I always get the road hazard warranty with out a problem. Last set of 235's in Riken I got cost $630 for 6 tires balanced, road hazard and installed. Also got free rotation for life of tire. Go to a good tire shop and you should get that type of service. One more thing, I always run my tires at near max psi. Tires last longer but ride harder. Make sure whatever tire you buy the load range is E or better, this helps prevent any rubbing with heavy loads.

thechevyhdman

03-31-2002, 12:53

With all the talk you guys are having on tire size etc, I just have one thing to say If your dually is a work only truck the only tires, I mean the only tires Ill even think of putting on it are Goodyear G133 they are knobby strong as heck and get really good wear. They have one steel belt side wall and never squat with any weight on back. Load range E with I believe a dual tire max weight each at 2900 pounds.I didnt know that 215/85/R16 came stock on the new ones I thought they came at least the old ones did at 225/75/ R16.

Mike G

03-31-2002, 18:06

-------------------------------------------------
MIKE
I HAVE COPPER 245-75-R16 HT ON MY 02 3500 I HAVE A LITTLE BETTER TAN AN INCH BETWEEN THE TIRES I HAVE THE OLD STYLE ALCOIA CLASSIC
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newmar:
How'd you do that? Alcoa Classic's on an '02 3500. I thought there was a hub fitment issue with our new style trucks and the old style Alcoa's. I actually prefer the Classics over the Hot Shots, but all indications have shown incompatibility between our new trucks and older Alcoa's. Did you have them machined to fit?

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Thanks Mike G. I want to put 235's on for my 3rd set of tires. There is no selection of tires for the 215's. There are tons of choices with 235's. I have a spacer that I had for my old stainless simulators that might work. Its about 1/4 inch or so. I pull 25,000lbs sometimes and I know the tires squat alittle when I am that heavy.
-------------------------------------------------
Maverick:
Wow, you are pulling some serious weight.
That spacer you refer to just might do the trick.
If you do go to the 235/85's and use the spacer, could you please post the results? Mdrag has said on another thread that there may be some fitment issues with the new style Alcoa wheels and 235/85 tires. I may have to go to a spacer myself to get the Alcoa's to fit with 235/85's.
Let us know, thanks.
Mike

bearman

03-31-2002, 20:42

newmar
Alcoas on a 2002 3500, how, you must tell me how :eek: .
Cheers
Bear

mdrag

04-01-2002, 00:15

MikeG and bearman,

My guess is the Alcoa Classic hubs where machined to fit. A few months ago there was a post with a link to pics of a '01 dually with Alcoa Classics on it. I emailed the person who owned the truck - he replied he bought the truck with the wheels already installed and the hubs had been machined to fit.

If it is that easy, why has it taken Alcoa so long to come out with wheels for the new style dually - one would think Alcoa could have easily enlarged the hubs on their wheels and had them on the market long ago making money. There has to be other concerns...and I would bet Alcoa considers machining the hubs unsafe... :confused:

...or Alcoa is conspiring with GM to prevent us from running larger tires on our trucks so we don't lug the DMAX/Allison. :eek:

newmar

04-01-2002, 12:56

BEARMAN
SORY I DIDENT GET BACK TO YOU SOONER I WAS AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND I ALSO LIKE THE CLASSICS BETTER SO I HAD THE CENTERS MACHINED OUT I THINK IT WAS 26 THOUSADS I BROUGHT AN ORIGNAL WHEEL AND HAD THEM MAKE IT THE SAME

01_Duramax_Dually

04-01-2002, 15:18

MDRAG and all interested in the Alcoa Classics on the new Dually's...Ooops sorry MDRAG..."Dooley"

I saw an 01 with the Alcoa wheels 2 weeks ago at a gas station. He said they were off his 97. He took them to a friends shop and they did machine to fit. He did not elaborate on what surface was machined.
I have now seen 3 or 4 new trucks(01/02's) with old Alcoa Classics installed. They look very Nice.

This is one of those deals where everybody said "Bad Idea to machine to fit" but then people do it and it is absolutely no big deal. 1 of the trucks I saw had a 30'+ 5'er.

Hope this helps

Jeff

mdrag

04-01-2002, 16:36

'01 Dooley,

No problems now, and I HOPE they never have problems - especially that guy towing the fiver... :eek:

Sorry, not for me and my family's safety - I'll wait for the real deal...

huntindog

04-01-2002, 17:09

Mdrag, If Newmar is correct and it's only 26/1000" then I can't imagine it hurting anything. I would think that Alcoa wouldn't cut it anywhere near that close in design. Maybe someone out there has a new truck and an old one and is willing to check it out?

mackin

04-01-2002, 17:13

N.E. TMRPR,

Ah finally. I hope you see this .I am looking for MICHELIN LTX RIB 1st choice, 2nd choice would be LTX TRACTION. In a 235/85 /16. Thanks
On edit: need 6 of them.
Thanks

MAC :D :D

[ 04-01-2002: Message edited by: mackin ]</p>

N.E. TMRPR

04-02-2002, 20:39

Mac, got some info for you today. Spoke with my girl and she spoke with Michelin today. They told her no model LTX, said model is XPS rib 10 ply. Cost is high but here goes. $192.00 plus tax, 9.95 mount and balance and around $20.00 road hazard. She also told me the Rikens made by Michelin are being discontinued. Sorry the price seems so high on the Michs but she says these are close to the highest priced models Michelin offers.

mackin

04-02-2002, 21:00

N.E. TMRPR,

Thanks for the Info but----->http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1***p?startIndex=0&width=235%2F&ratio=85&diameter=16&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&do=Search&manufacturer=Michelin
Are cheaper I have dealt with them before. I got those tires and rims on my car (MONTE) there. I can get the LTX MS (E rating) at COSTCO for $143 each....... I really want the rib.....My mistake on the XPS.....Thanks for finding out I do appreciate it ......
MAC

trailhorserider

04-03-2002, 06:57

I tried 235's (Load range E) when I first picked up my truck in February 2001. Towing my empty (9,000 lb.) gooseneck horse trailer the tires definitely rubbed. I've been running 215's (E's) ever since. Best setup for this truck would be a conversion to 19" wheels/tires as on the F-450 and similar, but these dudes are expensive (both wheels and tires) since the wheels are custom for the smaller bolt pattern. I looked into this at one point and the entire setup would run about $3,000 from some place back East.

Rick T