Forum Discussion

crosscheck's avatar
crosscheck
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2016

Round #3 for 19.5 tires. Where have all the KM's gone?

Present truck had 22,500 kms when I bought it in 2006, put a 4000lb + hard side with slide TC and after a really rough trip to the Baja, decided to go with 19.5's. Picked up the present TC 5 years ago, 1000b's lighter, lower COG but still kept the heavier tires. Now at 241,500 km's, and well past the wear bars,time for the decision.

Stay with the Michelins(XDS2), load range H, or try another brand which will probably be cheaper? 30% gravel, 70% pavement, some snow travel although I run studded snows in the winter.

Present tires have been great and no flats or anything on the 2 sets of Michelins and I am sure just like before, the carcass will look brand new on the inside when removed from the rim.

Oh ya, very little sand travel, some mud.

Any comments?

Dave

20 Replies

  • I've ran the Toyos for the last two plus years and 20k plus miles with no problems. Initially they were a little squirrelly but after a thousand miles or so they have performed good!
  • Jim&Carolyn wrote:
    Although having several 1 ton vans, I'm new to trucks - please tell me what differences to you find in running 19.5" tires vs. 18" tires.


    The 19.5 tires are a medium truck tire and in the case of the Michelins that are on my truck have an "H" load factor and a 16 ply rating and a maximum load at 120 psi of just under 5000lbs which gives you a considerable safety factor when driving over rough or bad roads when carrying the type of heavy TC,s that are on the market being hauled by today's HD, SWD trucks.

    You can expect more mileage from these tires but it comes at a price such as new wheels(Vision, Rickson, Alcoa), more $$$ for the rubber, cannot be aired down as low as a light truck tire( min. 85psi), wheel and tire heavier.

    I am sure more folks will add to their experiences with 19.5's tires on their TC,s.

    Dave
  • Although having several 1 ton vans, I'm new to trucks - please tell me what differences to you find in running 19.5" tires vs. 18" tires.
  • crosscheck wrote:

    Present tires have been great and no flats or anything on the 2 sets of Michelins and I am sure just like before, the carcass will look brand new on the inside when removed from the rim.



    I think you answered your question. If tires have been great why change anything? Having quality tires that you know you can trust when traveling is worth a few extra dollars.
  • I'm currently running BFG 19.5's. They are built using Michelin casing. Wow these things run very smooth. The required balance weight was extremely limited. They were nearly perfect from the factory. Stay with the Michelin .
  • I purchased a set of 4 Toyo 19.5 with wheels 7 or 8 years ago for $100.00 each. WOW was that a deal.

    They were purchased by the owner at Las Schwab, so I got free wheel swap all those years. I have studded set of Toyo M55's that would go on ever winter.

    I like the Toyo 19.5's
  • It is all in how much you are planning to drive.
    Michelin and Hancock are good value if you plan to put 150,000 km in next 6 years. Tires protected from UV can last up to 10 years, but that is not what I would plan on it.
    I had 19.5 on my F450 and at one point bought cheap Sailung (?). They lasted me for 56,000 miles. Ride quality is not existent in heavy truck, so can't tell if that was different.
  • I'm in the same situation, my 19.5 Michelin xds are down to the tread bars. I would really appreciate some information on tires, the Michelins have gotten very expensive.
  • I don't have them, but it's hard to beat what you have for general purposes. I like Hankook DH01s only for the very aggressive tread.