Tires (the weakest link)
Like every other truck camper owner, I am looking to increase the safe load carrying capacity of my truck (2012 Chevy 3500HD SRW). I get that you can't increase the payload, but I also know that 90% o...
Forum Discussion
AH_AK wrote:JimK-NY wrote:
High temps and underinflation are major risks for tire failure. Slowing down can make some difference. My first truck had 17" rims with limited tire choices so I eventually paid well over $3000 for Rickson wheels and 19.5 tires.
My current truck has 20" wheels with somewhat better tire ratings. I guess I will stick with the current wheels and tires even though they are loaded to approximately max load. I have a TPMS and check it at least daily. I also drive at a maximum speed of about 65-70 mph.
I feel like if they are under their max, you likely have a comfortable (unofficial) safety margin. How did you feel about the 19.5’s? Any issues with balancing? So much money, but nice to have that peace of mind.
After several years of RV travel, I finally weighed my rig and was seriously worried. I was several hundred pounds over the load capacity for my rear tires. I felt much better with the Rickson 19.5 wheels and Firestone tires. The balance was perfect. The only issue was the break in period of about 1000 or so miles. Before then the tires tended to wander and follow even slight ruts in the road surface. The truck was totaled in an accident so I never was able to access the wear but it seemed much, much better than my previous 17" tires. Another advantage is the firm sidewall and minimal ballooning. I keep mainly on pavement but even so I lost 2 of my old tires to rocky roads and sidewall damage.
