I had planned to upgrade my tires to Cooper ST with a 4080 lb rating which would probably be within limits for my camper. Won't know for sure until I weigh it.However, with the replys from my other posts regarding less capacity for the wheels, I'm looking into 19.5"I know Rickson has a good reputation but I talked to a guy with the same camper as mine on a Chev 3500 SRW and he hated them. Said they rode so rough that he ended up selling them and went back to stock 17" wheels and hasn't had any problems.I like the Vision 81A Heavy Hauler in black with a 4500 lb rating.I would like to go with as wide of tire as possible without any lift. It looks like a 285 would work and has over 6k lb rating.Also, the prices on the wheels seem reasonable at around $250 but I didn't expect the tires to cost $400-600!! Any recommendations on chain tire stores or a dealer in the So Cal area?Thanks

4wheelonline for the wheels...$803 out the door (for 4) with lug nuts. The valve stems that come with the lugs will not work. Free shipping from socal, got my wheels in 2 days.Bought my tires local (Evans Tire), $891 out the door (without tpms), Hercules brand. Many motorhomes use these. I'm into the 19.5's for $1700. LT245 70R19.5 14 ply, 4500 lbs. per tire.Gman

The more time I spend reading the internet, the more I find myself wrestling with the urge to solve problems that don't exist. Is it possible that you are in the same boat?

I have a 2005 F450 crew cab dually this is the cab and chassis version that is considered a medium duty truck. The stock tires are 19.5 rims and the tires have a 14 ply sidewall. The usual tire pressure is 90 psi so yes you will feel every crack and bump in the road. I purchased my tires from a commercial truck tire store. The chain stores would sell them to you but would not mount them due to safety reasons.

I have 19.5's on my truck. When I do not have the camper on, I air them down to 80# on all 4 corners. The ride is a little more harsh than with OEM tires and rims, but it is a truck.The rims came from Rickson. I bought the tires from a local tire shop that deals with big rig tires. They mounted and balanced them for me also.

Found mine used...I have the Visions in black, seem well built. One thing to remember, with the higher rated tires, you can run lower psi all the time. 85psi in mine (same size your looking at) are rated to hold 4500 lbs and 6395 lbs at 120 psi each...no reason to go that high as the wheel aren't rated for more and your approaching rear axle limits.The ride is good, comparable to my 285/75/17 e rated tires at 80 psi. Maybe a little more harsh but nothing horrible. I had the same reservations...its fine. Now, if you put lower profile 225 or 245's...and had to run 120 to hold weight..and didn't decrease when empty it might feel like a cement truck! One more thing..the tires are stupid expensive but....they should last you 100k or more if age doesn't get them first. Mine are 16 ply commercial tires...I'm not anywhere near to using them at the intended use. Watch craigs list..you might get lucky!

Best place and price for 19.5 wheels and tires.

Ski_Pro_3
Explorer
Apr 12, 2016
Good on ya for getting out in the TC!!

I heard back from Rickson yesterday. Here's the basic e-mail reply to my inquiry as to when they will get the rings;

I genuinely regret to have to tell you that no, there is no news yet on the trim rings from the company owner Dan Richter. I have sent him a number of emails recently about the rings but I gather he doesn't have any definitive answer, he doesn't reply. Once again I am very sorry about this. I will forward this over to him now as a reminder.

Thank you,
Heather
Rickson Truck Wheels
skipbee
Explorer
Apr 12, 2016
skippro3,
I'll ask when we return home. After 2 years of no TC travel due to health and family stuff, Linda and I FINALLY busted out. I'm writing from the rainy beach at Assateague Island, Maryland. Almost no other folks here, we're just sittin and thinkin,it's wonderful to be out again!
Vinsil
Explorer
Apr 10, 2016
burningman wrote:
The Les Schwab stores I've used don't really balance 19.5s, they just put that "Equal" garbage in them. What I ended up having to do with the last set of 19.5s from Schwab (on an Isuzu truck) was take it to a real truck tire shop and have them balance them for real.
Les Schwab tried to tell me 19.5s don't get spin balanced with weights, the "Equal"' additive is the only way to do it. But they couldn't explain why my wheels had balancing weights before they got their hands on them, and why they still shook after their so-called balancing job with that stuff they put in them.

I'd never go there again.

Mine spun balanced mine and used real weights.
burningman
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2016
The Les Schwab stores I've used don't really balance 19.5s, they just put that "Equal" garbage in them. What I ended up having to do with the last set of 19.5s from Schwab (on an Isuzu truck) was take it to a real truck tire shop and have them balance them for real.
Les Schwab tried to tell me 19.5s don't get spin balanced with weights, the "Equal"' additive is the only way to do it. But they couldn't explain why my wheels had balancing weights before they got their hands on them, and why they still shook after their so-called balancing job with that stuff they put in them.
Ski_Pro_3
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
skipbee wrote:
We live just a few miles from Rickson Trucks operation, Dan has been as helpful as could be regards wheel and tire safety and economy. I recommend him highly, google Rickson Trucks. I'm not paid only pleased!

Could you do me a favor? I've been trying for well over a year to buy a set of their chrome trim rings. They have been promising me that they will be available in "a couple months". Ask them if they really are ever going to get them or not and why they keep lying to me when they will be in. The them Jerry Heitman asks on a public forum. They have me in their order computer. Thanks!!
Wheelholder
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
You can also get centramatics to balance your tires. They not only balance the tires, but all moving parts on the spindle. I used them on my semi truck and was very happy with the purchase. They are guaranteed for 1 million miles if I remember correctly.
finsruskw
Explorer
Apr 09, 2016
Have you guys ever tried "Equal" in these big tires?
I used it a lot in my class 8 tires, 22.5's.
Bedlam
Moderator
Apr 08, 2016
The balancing machines have to be able to handle the heavier weights of 19.5's. Automotive rated machines cannot, but places that sell large oversized off-road tires often have the heavier equipment.
finsruskw
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016
What special tools would you need other than a couple spoons and an air tank??

I changed tires myself all the time on my class 8 rigs and they had aluminum wheels all the way around.

Sounds like someone is blowin' smoke here :)
Bedlam
Moderator
Apr 08, 2016
Of the two nearest Les Schwab stores to me, one does commercial and the other does not. Some Costco's have a commercial warehouse operation where they do 19.5's, but most consumer Costco's will only order them without mounting.