New user, TC Tire questions

skimopow wrote:
threeaces:
I went to Les Schwab to get a quote for a 19.5 tire/wheel setup and they recommended the Michelin XDS2 in a 245/70. My calculation showed a 126# vs 87# OEM vs 100# upgraded 18" per wheel weight. Good to hear that you don't notice a massive decrease in unloaded ride quality as that is a concern. My F350 does feel very stiff in the rear already. I have heard that the bump up to 19.5's can necessitate upgrading shocks to manage the un-sprung weight. I am leaning toward the 19.5 setup, but I have read that you can get the same tires in different load ratings (G or H) but it appears that Michelin only makes 245/70 in an H rating.

You and I have the same family setup, no surprise you settled on the AF 811 !

rider997:
Re: the upper stable loads, the dealer recommended the upper stableloads, but torklift recommended the lower stable loads so who knows. I have no rear sway bar so a Hellwig rear sway bar is on the list. Do you think supersprings are preferrable to timbrens?

Have you run 19.5" tires in the snow or did you decide to stick with 18" because of snow performance concerns ?

There are 19.5" tires that people insist perform great in the snow. That hasn't been my personal experience. They are also less versatile in that they can't be aired down (with the camper off) for good off-road traction. We oftentimes dump the camper and drive fire roads with the bare truck (and the LT tires aired down).

I have used Timbrens and think they're fine for simple payload applications (carrying bricks). They don't have any meaningful internal damping and they exacerbate bouncing and sway for a truck camper. Getting enough support for heavy payload applications (2 tons for a TC) also results in a terribly harsh and annoying unloaded ride. The Supersprings pleasantly surprised me with their loaded and unloaded performance.

Lower Stableloads are the least expensive way to prototype the feel of a heavier spring pack (compared to any air spring/rubber type of suspension like airbags or Timbrens). I don't have any intention of jacking up the truck to remove tension on the lower Stableloads to disengage them, so the bolt-on capability and significant suspension lift of the Supersprings was my preference. My truck carried my camper fine with only stock suspension, but went from a positive rake to being an inch or two below level in the rear- this means that headlight aiming was off, and I was removing weight and traction from my front axle.