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lincolnmatthews's avatar
lincolnmatthews
Explorer
Sep 19, 2013

TIRES & WHEELS 19.5" OR 20"??

Been having some tire issue's lately with my 99 Dodge Dually. Its currently stock with Toyo Hwy tread. The truck sits all the time with the Lance 880 on it on concrete, except when we use it during the camping season. I keep loosing air press on all the tires over a course of 30days maybe 5-10psi. I did have a leak in the "stock" steel wheel, they said it was leaking out thru the steel!. This weekend I checked the air before we left & now the other outer wheel was down to 15psi! so now I am keeping a log. I think maybe this wheel is shot, haven't checked it yet.
Anyway I noticed that my Toyo's were made in China! & my stock wheels come from Brazil!. I just know that trailer tires made in China arn't worth a ^%%&^.
Been a lot talk on the forum's about going to 19.2 or 20" wheels & E rated or ? commercial tires. Just wondering from some of you guys "in the know" what can I go with with a dually??. I would like to be a little informed before I go to the local tire store, & take there word for it. As there not alway's real knowledgeable about whats out there because they don't get into the specialized applications.
Anyway sorry for the long post, I might also add that we do put this rig on very rough & rocky roads, & would like to relieve some stress regarding my tires. (I know that my HWY tread do need to go, I'm just trying to wear them down a bit) Thanks for the ideas!
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5 Replies

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  • wintersun's avatar
    wintersun
    Explorer II
    Sep 23, 2013
    The only thing that will help your gas mileage is to drive slower. Taller tires means slower acceleration and poorer passing capability which is hardly a plus.

    A tire shop can deterimine whether the leak is at the bead or the valve. Sometimes a tire can be reseated on a rim and stop losing air. No need to spend a couple thousand dollars on 19.5 or 20 inch rims and new tires.

    Better to start with the tire you need and then work back to the rims that are needed for that tire. With the 19.5 tires there are very few choices in wheel manufacturers and few choices in terms of tire tread.
  • lincolnmatthews's avatar
    lincolnmatthews
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    Thanks for the replies I do have metal stems & it sits inside all thru the summer months. Actually I do remove the camper in Oct. & use my truck thru the Winter. I've got have the outer dual checked as it was down 10psi in one week.

    I thought that by going to a 19.5" wheel I could use a multiply tire that would hold up better on the sharp rocks etc. Even though my camper is only an 880 Lance its pushing close to 4000 lbs when loaded. Which is over my capacity for my truck. I haven't looked recently but I think the GVW for an old 99 4 X 4 Cummins is 11,000 which is a lot less that say a new Ford or Dodge Dually? I believe ( I could be wrong)
    Besides I was thinking that by going to a little taller tire it would help my fuel mileage (I have a 4.10 rear end)
    I do have the Tork bumps on my over loads which has helped, but it still rolls, even going in low range. I think a Hellwig? larger sway bar will help this.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Sep 20, 2013
    20"s are for the fashion statement crowd. You will be hard pressed finding a high-capacity set of rims and tires on a 20".

    19.5"s are the commercial duty tires.

    Stock on DRW trucks these days is either 16"s or 17"s.
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2013
    While I really like my 19.5's they might be overkill for you. Are you running metal valve stems? You should. Thoroughly check the rims with Windex.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Sep 20, 2013
    How old are the tires and valve stems?
    Presumably they are outside exposed to the weather. That takes it's toll on rubber.
    Having a huge load on the tires 24/7/365 doesn't help either.

    I surely wouldn't spend the big $ to go to a 19.5" rim. You don't need the load capacity with a dually.

    Worst case find a set of newer takeoff rims. Any Dodge 8 lug up to current model will work on your '99. And if the tires and particularly valve stems are over 5-6 years old and been sitting outisde loaded up, they have seen their better days too.

    Why not take the camper off the truck for the winter? It's not that hard, you gain a vehicle and it's better for the vehicle to be driven and not squatting under the camper for years on end.

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