Had my Bridestone tires for 7 years before one finally blew. I figured it was time to replace them all.:(I have always liked Michelin tires. I order 6 new tires, LTX M/S2 for my 2003 Chevy 3500 Dually. This is the stock size,215/85R16 for the original steel rims.When put on they look great.:) They also ride great.:)BUT:?When fully loaded with my 2003 Lance Camper they bulge leaving not more than 1/16 of an inch between the two tire. My trip to the Grand Canyon and back was a daily worry.My question: For Chevy Owners:On a Chevy 3500 what is your gap size when fully loaded?For All:What tires do you feel have very little bulge and seem to be a stiffer tire?Any other comments would also be appreciated?Thanks in advance.chuck

Where you running 80 PSI in the rear tires? Normally thy should not have been bulging to that point, if both tires are at 80 PSI.Is there supposed to be a spacer between the dually tires? I seem to recall a spacer on some GMC trucks, it was about 3/8" thick, and fit between the two rear dual rims. It has been a while since I worked with the GMC's though, they might not be on the newer ones. I had been assigned a 1987 GMC dually for a work truck but that was a long time ago.Fred.

I'm almost ready for new skins as well and those were at the top of the list! Hope you get it figured out, and post the results!My 07 doesn't use spacers....but my 98 did.

the air pressure he is using would be interesting to know. I use the same tire but go to 80 lbs when towing. Been doing it this way since 2001 without one tire problem or any odd ball tire wear.chevman

Golden_HVAC, larry barnhart Sorry I left that detail out. Yes, they were at exactly 80lb cold. I was so paranoid that I would check them every day.Regarding the spacer--There was never a spacer, but I have been looking into spacers, but have been told by many people I should not use them. It appears the max I can get would be a 1/4". Of course I could put two, but then the rim is not on the hub and that dangerous. Thus, I am trying to avoid spacers. When I had the Brigestone I did not need them, I think it was a stiffer tire. mguay If you are going to get the Michiln Tires right now, I would put the camper on when purchasing. Then you can see if they will work and not drive on them. Yours is a new truck, 2005 vs 2003 and maybe something has changed. What tires do you have now?

I have 20k+ miles with that tire in LT235/80-17on our '11 GMC 3500 hd dually. No problems. No spacers. I keep them at 80 psi.I'll take a look at the gap when I get home Tuesday and re-post.Kid, are you running stock wheels?

New Michelin LTX M/S2 Dually clearance issue??

okeehandyman
Explorer
May 28, 2013
I used to have a 2006 Chevrolet 3500 dually. When I changed tires I too was concerned about the spacing. I purchased a set of Fred's spacers. Because they are machined with precision and have the proper mating surfaces to allow them to work properly as hub centric mounting surfaces, I never had any problems. Great Quality product- worth the cost.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
May 28, 2013
Good to hear from you. I have thought how it had turned out for your problem a few times. I had different brands on the front and rear on our 2001 dually and it was an odd truck to drive because the back was squirrely.
chevman
Silverado_Kid
Explorer
May 28, 2013
Update: I have had the BFG commercial Tires on now since Christmas-2012. I have towed both my 5th and my Truck Camper many times. They are holding up very well, gap is much much better. I do not have any issues.
What I did is kept 4 of the Mich. Tires. 2 are in the Garage. The other two are on the front.
Thus I am running the 2 Mich. on the Front and 4 BFG Commercial on the Rear.
This setup works very well.
Only limitation I see is my rotation. But I was in the snow and ice at Yosemite and traction was very good.
I am happy and would recommend the setup for those with an older Chevy Dually
Silverado_Kid
Explorer
Nov 12, 2012
GTO66 No. I am hoping to do it this weekend. I towed my 5th wheel this weekend and the tires were not that close to touching. It just show how heavy truck campers really are. Like night and day. I think the BFG commercial tire are a good tire. The posts I have read have given them high marks. It hard to dump my Michelin for BFG, but the gap is is much more important in the end.
dokkema1
Explorer
Nov 12, 2012
Get some spacers from Fred...Ive run them for yrs on many different trucks with NO issues...and I haul heavy on and off road...Fred makes the only spacers that hold up to abuse..all steel spacers...the fronts of our duellys have spacers from the factory...
GTO66
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2012
silverado kid did you ever get a chance to test the BFG commerical tires? I had the camper on for a short trip without the trailer,and I had no more than a half inch between the tires.Before I tow that trailer again I'm going to have to do something.I also saw a ford with spacers and the tires were outside the wheel wells to far for my likings.It appeared they might even rub or not clear the front jacks when loading.
stickyeye
Explorer
Oct 24, 2012
Take a look at Firestone Transforce AT (all terrain) or Transforce HT (highway tire).
Sticky
Desert1667
Explorer
Oct 21, 2012
Jaxom wrote:
Desert1667 wrote:

I have read on some other forums that some aftermarket aluminum wheels for GM's have a little more offset, I don't know if it would be enough to make a difference. Every little bit would help. 5.00 inch to 5.350 would amount to almost 3/8 inch , might be enough to make the difference.

Desert

I think the total spacing would be 7/10ths of an inch. You would combine the two 0.350 backspacings to equal 0.700. That's close to 3/4". 3/4" is about what I have on my 2010 Dodge 3500 Dually.

Not really because if you purchase a set of 4 aluminum wheels for your GM (2 Front and 2 rear) you are only gaining the offset on the outer rear which is about 3/8" roughly. The 5" offset steel wheel still remains on the inside.

Desert
Jaxom
Explorer
Oct 21, 2012
Desert1667 wrote:

I have read on some other forums that some aftermarket aluminum wheels for GM's have a little more offset, I don't know if it would be enough to make a difference. Every little bit would help. 5.00 inch to 5.350 would amount to almost 3/8 inch , might be enough to make the difference.

Desert

I think the total spacing would be 7/10ths of an inch. You would combine the two 0.350 backspacings to equal 0.700. That's close to 3/4". 3/4" is about what I have on my 2010 Dodge 3500 Dually.
Desert1667
Explorer
Oct 21, 2012
ticki2 wrote:
Desert1667 wrote:
Just thought I would mention something everyone might not know. If you look at the "Accuride Wheel" catalog it list all the replacement wheels sizes and specs. Unfortunately for GM owners, replacement wheels have the least amount of offset, about 5.00 inches. Ford and Dodge wheels go up to 5.35 inches (on each wheel)or more, all this makes extra clearance at the tire.

I guess my point is Ford and Dodge owners will have more clearance with the same 235 85 R 16 tire than GM guys.

Desert

That is exactly the problem with the GM's , the offset is the same till about 2010 when they went to the 17" wheel . Why they cut it so close is a mystery . Tires vary from make and model within the same size . I believe the GM spec calls for 8.8" being the max tire width , so check the tire specs for the one you are interested in. I am running 235's that are 9.2" and they show that they have touched at the bulge bouncing down the road at full load . So far it has been 3 years and 30000 miles and no troubles , but that is not proof of anything .I am still looking for a better solution because I do like the 235's . I have followed this subject on several forums and have not read of a single failure using Fred's spacers and think I am going that direction . The key to the spacers is to make sure they have the lip to keep the outer wheel hub-centric and stays centered because the lugs are washer type , not tapered .I had spacers on an old suburban for 100,000 miles with no problem . When you think about it all one ton dually's have a 4" spacer on the front wheels .

I have read on some other forums that some aftermarket aluminum wheels for GM's have a little more offset, I don't know if it would be enough to make a difference. Every little bit would help. 5.00 inch to 5.350 would amount to almost 3/8 inch , might be enough to make the difference.

Desert

Forum Discussion

New Michelin LTX M/S2 Dually clearance issue??

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Michelin Tire Issue

FMCA Michelin tire program issues

Easement Clearance Issues.

Michelin Tires

Michelin tires