Forum Discussion

Grodyman's avatar
Grodyman
Explorer
Dec 07, 2015

Options for Tire/Wheel Upgrade

Well, I am considering upgrading tires/wheels. I currently have 17's with LT245/75R17 rated at 3195 ea. I am sure that I am over with full water and want to be able to carry coolers/generator/chairs/firewood/bikes off the rear Titan extension, placing even more stress on the tires.

Option 1:
Keep the 17's and buy LT275/75R17 tires rated at 3950 lbs. ea. Not gaining any rim capacity, and these tires have a tall sidewall (Nitto Dura Grappler).

Option 2:
Upgrade to 18" wheels/tires and LT265/70R18 tires rated at 3640 lbs. ea. Most wheels are rated same. Net gain 890 lbs.

Option 3:
Vision 19.5's. specs not necessary, overkill.

I said I would never buy 19.5's again, I would just buy a dually, but here I am....don't want to buy a new truck just yet.

Opinions?

Gman
Truck Campers

29 Replies

  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2015
    Bedlam wrote:
    My tires came mounted on the rims and all four were palletized and shrink wrapped. Total weigh with pallet was 550 lbs.


    Sounds about right;
    My Rickson wheel is 57 pounds and my Toyo tires are 82 pounds; 139 pounds each and 556 pounds for 4.

    My stock original tire wheel combo is 82 pounds. (I still have an unused spare I just weighed.) The difference on a set of 5 is 285 pounds.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Dec 08, 2015
    My tires came mounted on the rims and all four were palletized and shrink wrapped. Total weigh with pallet was 550 lbs.
  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2015
    Tom_Anderson wrote:
    If the weight of your tires themselves is the difference between safe travels and your truck blowing up in a huge fireball and taking out a bus full of nuns and orphans, then you're probably operating a little too close to the edge, anyway.


    I can agree with that! I was amazed how much my new 19.5" Rickson wheels and Toyo 265/70R19.5 set up weighs though. About 60 pounds per wheel more than the stock tires/wheels on my 2006 Dodge diesel truck!! That's 300 pounds (with spare) I hadn't considered when I hopped on the scales. It sorta surprised me.
  • Tom_Anderson's avatar
    Tom_Anderson
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2015
    If the weight of your tires themselves is the difference between safe travels and your truck blowing up in a huge fireball and taking out a bus full of nuns and orphans, then you're probably operating a little too close to the edge, anyway.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Dec 08, 2015
    skipro3 wrote:
    Bedlam wrote:
    The extra weight of heavier rated tires is not bearing down on axle or frame, so that is really not an issue. You may need to upgrade shocks and check your brakes due to the additional unsuspended weight and rolling forces.


    The tire capacity is that load as measured where the tire is in contact with the road. That includes the weight of the tire. A tire with a capacity, say, of 3200 pounds can carry 3200 pounds where the tire meets the scale. Not subtracting the weight of the tire, it's included. So, a tire rated at 3200 pounds and weighs 100 pounds can carry another 3100 pounds onto the scale with it to total 3200 pounds.

    Is that wrong?

    Tires and rims are baring the entire scaled weight. The axle, suspension and frame are not bearing the weight of your wheels (tires + rims). Your suspension and joints will have different forces based on how much unsprung weight you trying to control.

    I think we're both saying the same thing in different ways.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Dec 08, 2015
    Ignore tire weight, ignore brake weight, ignore axle weight, ignore spring weight, ignore shock weight... If you ignore enough you get a couple thousand pounds' worth of payload back.
  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2015
    Bedlam wrote:
    The extra weight of heavier rated tires is not bearing down on axle or frame, so that is really not an issue. You may need to upgrade shocks and check your brakes due to the additional unsuspended weight and rolling forces.


    The tire capacity is that load as measured where the tire is in contact with the road. That includes the weight of the tire. A tire with a capacity, say, of 3200 pounds can carry 3200 pounds where the tire meets the scale. Not subtracting the weight of the tire, it's included. So, a tire rated at 3200 pounds and weighs 100 pounds can carry another 3100 pounds onto the scale with it to total 3200 pounds.

    Is that wrong?
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Dec 08, 2015
    The extra weight of heavier rated tires is not bearing down on axle or frame, so that is really not an issue. You may need to upgrade shocks and check your brakes due to the additional unsuspended weight and rolling forces.
  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2015
    Something not mentioned so far;
    While upgrading tires or wheels is going to increase capacity, remember that those NEW components add to the total weight as well.

    For example; the Nittos are gonna weigh more than those tires you have now. Keep that in the equation when you do the math.

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