TIRES, ARE WE ASKING FOR TROUBLE?

[DMAXTER]

When we are traveling with our 5th wheel in tow, our trucks LT245/75R16E rear tires are loaded to their maximum rated load of 3042# at 80psi. If we carefully maintain the air pressure are we asking for tire problems?

We

[tanker]

I would look into a wider rim and 265/75's, they carry more weight, they are wider and will be more stable and can run 80 psi. I went with Alcoa aluminum wheels on my suburban, and will put them on our new D/A K-3500 SRW. Be sure that what ever wheel you choose, they will take the weight, and max tire pressure. There is nothing wrong with running the 80 psi in your 245's thats what is recomended and should be used to carry the weight, but I think if you weigh it you may be over on the rear axle or close to it. I did not see a big loss of power when I switched to the 265's on my suburban, it was about a 3mph speed change. I do know that the Alcoa's will, not sure about some other brands. The aluminum wheels will ride better and run true, less unsprung weight as well. Better looks than a steel wheel. Uses the same lug nuts, and you have a choice of Alcoa center caps, w/chrome lug covers, or use your GM hub cap with its lug caps. ;)

[Lawnboy]

It is generally accepted that a 265/75 tire will fit/perform just fine on the stock PY0 6.5" wide aluminum wheels.

[Turbine Doc]

Yes but is the rim up to the task , even though my 265s came from GM on the 6.5" stock GM aluminum rims IIRC they only carried a 1270# rating, that was stamped on back side of the rim migh have been a higher number, I uprated to 7" wide 3300# rated MT aluminum rims for extra safety factor.

[Lawnboy]

tbogemirep,

Your 1500's wheels should have had a higher rating than 1270lbs.

However, I was commenting based on DMAXTER's post as he has PY0's, and while their rating is mysterious, it would be more than fine for what he's doing. The weakest link on the rear suspensions of the newer trucks is clearly the 245 (3042 lb rating) tires.

[DmaxMaverick]

Originally posted by tbogemirep:
Yes but is the rim up to the task , even though my 265s came from GM on the 6.5" stock GM aluminum rims IIRC they only carried a 1270# rating, that was stamped on back side of the rim migh have been a higher number, I uprated to 7" wide 3300# rated MT aluminum rims for extra safety factor. Are you sure that wasn't Kilograms?
If so, that would calculate to 2794#, which would seem more reasonable for a 1500. 1270# is just not right. Even passenger car tires have more rating than that.

265/75/16's can be had in C and E ratings. There is a considerable difference in capacity.

[Turbine Doc]

Boy how bad can one screw up a post, guess proves as you get older 1st thing to go is the ole memory.

I removed stock 16X7 rims rated for 2000 lbs & replaced with 16X8 3300 lb rated, glad I still had old ones on the shelf in boxes new ones came in to refresh memory; 16X7 adequate for normal 1/2 T use but I push envelope with my GN trailer and heavy loads I short haul sometimes.

[ 12-10-2004, 03:57 PM: Message edited by: tbogemirep ]

[CareyWeber]

I have run 265/75/R16 (6.5" factory steel wheels)on my 97 since I bought it in 99 with 43K miles on it. I now have 186K miles on it and lots of those with my Lance camper on it which makes the truck weigh +10K lbs. My 265's have always worn good and have always carried the weight great even when I ran load range "D" 265's (265 D's are rated at 3K @ 65 psi).

I will say be very careful of load range "C" 265's!! I have Revo's and I had one replace due to a nail hole and the place tried to pass off a load range "C" on me. :eek: :mad: :eek:

Carey

[MartyB]

Having run 265's on both stock and 8" rims, I will take the 8" rims any day over the sotck 6.5 rims. Major difference in handling, ie less sidewall roll etc. The sidewalls do not flex as much under load either, as the sidewall is going slightly inward on the 6.5" rims vs straight up and down with the 8" rims.

As mentioned, the 6.5 will work, hence the smallest rim recomended, a 7 or 8" rim IMHO is the better size for a 265.

[Brandon]

A little unknown fact about the Aluminum wheels that come on the 2500 and 3500 trucks are made by Alcoa. I run BFG Commercial AT LT265/75R16 E They hold 3400#. I run the stock Aluminum wheels off an '01 2500. It has been the only wheel that hasn't cracked on me.

[dcalex]

I was looking on a tire/wheel site the other night and they stated that the 3500's with the 265's were on factory 6.5" rims. I don't know anyone with a 3500, so I can't say from experience. But I'd bet if they are 6.5", they're the same as the 2500HD.

[tanker]

To dcalex, the 3500 single rear wheel has the 265/75R16E tires on steel 16 X 7 wheels. GM does not have an aluminum wheel for the 3500's. I have a 9900lb. GVW which requires a minimum of 60psi front and 75psi rear inflation.
It is always the weakest link in the chain that limits the GVW. ie; tires, wheels, brakes etc. ;)
Alcoa has a 16 X 7 aluminum wheel which will meet the 9900lb. GVW rating, which I will be installing in the spring. smile.gif

[seabee14]

Don't know if anyone mentioned it ,but the alcoa aluminum wheels on the HD's are forged versus cast aluminum wheels used on the rest of the GM trucks hence the the higher load rating on them.
Larry

[310-MAN]

Larry....."E" mail me @ jgr3418598@aol.com John