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sptddog's avatar
sptddog
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014

19.5 Wheels and 5th Wheel Questions

I just bought a 2012 GMC 3500 Denali dually yesterday, and it has 19.5 inch commercial tires (I think the wheels are semi wheels, according to the folks on the duramax forums). They believe (the duramax folks) that this will be a big issue towing a keystone fuzion 342 fifth wheel due to the higher bed height. I dread buying wheels and tires after just buying a truck, but will do what I need to do. I don't have the trailer yet, supposed to be picking it up in a week or two (need to get a hitch installed first). I'm hoping the truck isn't lifted (I'm a girl lol, and my husband is not a car/truck guy, so need to get someone to help me out here!)on top of things - doesn't appear to be, but what do I know.

So, thoughts on this? I need to measure the bed more accurately - but my rough estimate was that it was 55-57 inches high, ground to the top of the bed rails. What does a normal 2012 denali with the stock 17 inch tires sit at? I've read that most 5th wheels sit at 58-60 and if that's true, and my measurements are close, I'm not going to have enough clearance to sit level with 6 inches between.

These make the truck look higher in the back, but it really does sit level front to rear - the tonneau cover is deceiving.

Can't seem to get them to load properly from photobucket...

http://s285.photobucket.com/user/sptddog/media/shared__132859820_1.png.html?sort=3&o=0#/user/sptddog/media/shared__132859820_1.png.html?sort=3&o=0&_suid=138866769167805056216630939634

http://s285.photobucket.com/user/sptddog/media/shared__132859820_1.png.html?sort=3&o=0#/user/sptddog/media/shared__132859820_4.png.html?sort=3&o=1&_suid=1388667958154031028198220507674
Tow Vehicles

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  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Jan 02, 2014
    http://www.gmfleetorderguide.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2012&addOptions=true&regionID=1&divisionID=2&vehicleID=11653&section=dim&pagenum=2&butID=6

    Good looking truck although having made a living towing with these size trucks I'm not a fan of oversize tires and wheels above the OEM's.

    Looks like a '12 GMC 3500 DRW SLT 4x4 crew cab with OEM tires has a 39.70" from the ground to the top of rear load floor per the clicky.

    Some 19.5" tires are close to the same diameters as OEM 17" and 18" tires so you will have to measure OEM tire diameter to your 19.5" diameter for any differences.
  • sptddog's avatar
    sptddog
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    Cummins12V98 wrote:
    Have to say the 3500's look much better with the 19.5's. Ride quality may suffer.


    It is a bit of a rougher ride - but not much worse than my 1992 crew cab dually was back in the day....
  • sptddog's avatar
    sptddog
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    blt2ski wrote:
    What actual tire size is on your rims. A 225-70 is not taller bigger in diam than many of the tire sizes used in 25 or 35 series trucks at 31.5' or there abouts. So going from a 235-75-17 will have no effect on the truck height. Other sizes that are the same include 16" 235-85, 265-75, 17" 235-75, 265-70 and even some 18" diams......

    Now if it is a 245-70, then those are 33" in diam, and yes, your truck will be taller!

    marty


    Yes, they are bigger - 245/70R19.5 - Kelly KSR commercial tires. Great for a heavy load, not so great for my possibly too high truck lol.

    The bed rail clearance is what I'm worried about. If I sit worse case at 57 inches, I'm not sure I'll manage to make it work with these tires. I'm hoping to ask the dealer to measure the fuzion today - level from ground to bottom of camper.

    Any particular hitch help more? I'm looking to install a B&W turnover and companion. Pretty certain I'll need to two a gooseneck at some point...daughter rides ponies. :)
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jan 02, 2014
    Have to say the 3500's look much better with the 19.5's. Ride quality may suffer.
  • carpetguy2's avatar
    carpetguy2
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    I have had tons of lifted trucks.That does not look lifted at at.
    I had Gmc with 8: of lift and towing a 40 ft fw.Bed rails to the ground was 63" no promblem
    My 08 dually is 57" now.
    The only thing I would be worried about is hitch height and your trailer pin box
    Mine hitch is adjusted all the way up.And barely clears my bed rail.Messed up my tonneau cover rails already.check what your tire load is too...
    Nice rig by the way .
  • blt2ski's avatar
    blt2ski
    Moderator
    Jan 02, 2014
    What actual tire size is on your rims. A 225-70 is not taller bigger in diam than many of the tire sizes used in 25 or 35 series trucks at 31.5' or there abouts. So going from a 235-75-17 will have no effect on the truck height. Other sizes that are the same include 16" 235-85, 265-75, 17" 235-75, 265-70 and even some 18" diams......

    Now if it is a 245-70, then those are 33" in diam, and yes, your truck will be taller!

    marty
  • sptddog's avatar
    sptddog
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    Ohhh, that's good - crossing my fingers I can leave it alone and it will be fine.....
  • mguay's avatar
    mguay
    Explorer
    Jan 02, 2014
    My '13...at the tailgate is in the 55" range bone stock. I might be off a bit as we have snow and ice on the ground. I would say within a couple of inches either way.

    Congrats on the new ride!

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