Forum Discussion

botrboy4's avatar
botrboy4
Explorer
May 01, 2016

TC tire recommendation

I'm sure this topic isn't new. I've just picked up a package I couldn't pass up. The 96 Lance Legend 500 (9'10") is on a 99 F250 with V10 and 4.30 axles. Truck was bought new to support camper and not a scratch/dent anywhere on either unit. Paid for the package what a dealer would probably sell only the truck. No issues, he just sold the TC because he didn't need it with a vacation home purchased. Small world exists, because my cousin knew the seller for years and always stored indoors.
The seller has kept OEM tire size, 235/75-16. Spoke of blow out years ago and is running GY G614 LR-G on back with (new) BFG Commercial TA LR-E on front.
Questions:
1: would a 265 LR-E at 3415# rating or 285 LR-E at 3750# (same as G614) give enough toughness needed for the package? Want to go into the snow so M+S is desired.
2: lots or roll/sway on poor, crowned roads. On drive home had Oh **** moment and then trial by fire on crowned farm road with 30MPH side winds. Unit has air bags at 35psi; but stationary the over-axle overload springs aren't even touching their frame pads. Will change shocks to Ranchos, but is the roll/sway from non-contacting O'loads or do I need to invest in Hellwig Big Wig sway bars?
Thanks for your comments.
Truck Campers
  • botrboy4's avatar
    botrboy4
    Explorer
    May 03, 2016
    Just Curious
    If Energy Suspension can sell their bump stops for upper overload springs for less than $80 (full set of 4), what extra are you getting when you buy TorkLift StableLoads for $300?
  • botrboy4's avatar
    botrboy4
    Explorer
    May 02, 2016
    Thank you to everyone responding. To quote the tag line of JIMLIN " "good judgment comes from EXPERIENCE, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
    That is why I ask those who have been through or directly experience errors in navigating TC set ups that are close to or exceeding OEM conservative expectations.
    As mentioned I will FIRST install Rancho shocks. Then go for a TorkLift package of upper StableLoads, tie- downs, and hitch... in that order. After driving the unit home, I truly believe that over the 100K miles he had put on the truck with that camper in that set up he must either have been a very conservative driver or he had his guardian angel in the passenger seat. Honestly.
    To all Happy Camping this upcoming summer, and safe travels.
  • sharkman's avatar
    sharkman
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016
    Can't comment on the tires, our TC weights 1,910 dry, just put timbrens on and that took care of sway and sag, i think that was a really good suspension upgrade, really nice rig, congrats.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    May 01, 2016
    Get the overload springs doing some work before making the sway bar determination. You're spot on there. Try with less pressure in bags to simulate installing stable loads. Sitting on the overloads will help sway a bunch. Sway bar will help even more but one thing at a time.
    Stiffer the tires the better. 16s really limit you on tire selection in the heavy weight ranges. Imo the easy and cheapest solution here is find some newer takeoff wheel/tires. For less than the cost of new tires alone you can get some new OE Ford 18s or 20s with like 3750lb cap tires. Doesn't hel the snow ability as takeoffs are typically hi way tires and honestly you got the wrong truck for snow but with camper weight and different siped and or studded tires and chains you can have ok perf in the snow. You will kill good snow and ice tires quickly in the summer with the camper though. Everything's a trade off, right.
    Otherwise looks like a tight rig! Have fun w it!
    Edit. just seen its a 4x4. Doesn't change any of the other reccomendations other than it will be good in the snow. Highway OE type tires still typically s uck in the snow especially wet greasy snow.
  • kohldad's avatar
    kohldad
    Explorer III
    May 01, 2016
    First step should be taking the rig to a scale and get weighed. Until you know how much it weighs, you don't know what capacity you need from the tires. A blow out years ago has no meaning unless you know why it blew out. Could have been a simple case of picking up debris and losing air pressure.

    Camper looks like a pre-915 which only weighs about 2,500# empty so shouldn't really be that heavy needing for large capacity tires.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    May 01, 2016
    op wrote:
    Spoke of blow out years ago and is running GY G614 LR-G on back

    The Goodyear G614 RST is designated as a regional service trailer tire which is a very popular tire for rv trailers. Goodyear has said in emails posted on rv websites the G614 RST G load range at 3750/110 psi isn't to be used on a truck/van/suv vehicles.
    I would sell them to some one with a heavy trailer and go with LT tires and wheels with 15-20 percent reserve capacity above actual scaled axle loads.
    The G614 is a ribbed tire which has superior straight line tracking so I doubt it could have caused your handling issues on the '99 truck. lots of other places to look on that old of a truck.
  • tc-lance's avatar
    tc-lance
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016
    We had a lot of sway problems set up with only airbags to level the load. I installed Torklift Stable Loads lowers, and that pretty much eliminated sway. I also added the stable load uppers, and now it rides solid.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    May 01, 2016
    You don't say what tire pressure you are running, but check that. I'm not sure why you want to move away from the current tires. What goal do you have?

    You do probably need shocks but some movement in wind is going to happen. Use as little Air Bag pressure as you can get by with to ensure the springs are doing most of the work which are progressive.

    Do something to make the overloads engage. There are a lot of different methods if you search here to fill in the space on front and rear overload bump stops.

    I use Energy Suspension bump stops. They are relatively inexpensive and help. I've used these on both my 2006 F350 SRW and now on my 2010 F450 DRW. http://smile.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension-9-9109G-Heavy-Duty/dp/B000CN5GRC?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

  • whizbang's avatar
    whizbang
    Explorer II
    May 01, 2016
    You are correct. This topic isn't new. If you search you will find many, many threads. You probably want to read as many prior threads as you can so you can mull on the advice and see what makes sense to you.

    I'm guessing the difference in axle ratings comes from the OEM tire ratings. I think you can safely go higher.

    Like so many truck campers, your set-up is pushing or exceeding payload limits. You will find much advice about air bags with folks recommending high and low pressures. I always ran ours about 80 psi. You have to experiment to find what works for you.

    You are correct that your tires are the weak link. A lot of folks with single rear wheel (SRW) trucks go for 19.5 tires and rims. We did. If I had to do it over again, I would probably try the tires rated at 3750 pounds. Moderation, moderation. The 19.5's drove like rocks unloaded. Good luck.
  • botrboy4's avatar
    botrboy4
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016

    forgot to post a pic.

    Also - would anyone have an explanation for why Ford has the RR axle on this 99 only rated at 5246# (driver door tag) and the 2000 I gave my son that is EXACTLY the same specs & drivetrain has a RR axle rated at 6084# and with 265/75-16 LR-E tires?

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