What about 19.5" tires on your SRW truck?

Went with the Vision 19.5 and Michlen XDS-2, stable loads and air bags. Rides a little harsh without camper, but with camper full, (old Lance), towing vehicle on trailer, its as solid as can be.

We had 19.5's and Ricksons on our last SRW. Solid tires, no problems, piece of mind. Worth every cent.

You will be very happy with your 19.5's. Best thing l have added to my truck for all the same reasons you mentioned.

Paul

In 08 I put 19.5's on my 97 K2500 with Michlen XDS-2. I had 40,000 on them when we went to Alaska. Loved the haul road, hated them skitters. I had 100 gal fuel tank in the bed and a 10' popup TC, gross was 11,000. My boy still has the truck and the right front was showing some wear due to a bad shock, but they've never had a problem. I had $2400 in the Vision alum wheels, tires, balancing beads, nitrogen and valve stems.

Tough as nails and as rougher riding than Teddy Roosevelt on San Juan Hill. I ran them at 90 psi.

I would venture the BFG's will handle your weight with no problem. How long they will last, I haven't a clue.

The XDS-2 were over $300 @. I figured that I would be able to get at least 150,000 out of the XDS-2's. Right now they've been on the truck 5 1/2 yrs I would guess they still have 50% tread left. They show no weather checking. The tires are regrooveable and recappable so I know there's plenty of rubber on the casings. When I gave it to the boy they had 60,000 mi two years ago. He doesn't haul anywhere near the weight to need heavier tires.

I have a dually now and much prefer the stability when pulling the 5er.
Good luck with what ever you decide upon.

One of the reasons that I went to 19.5s is the tire is much tougher compared to a typical pickup tire. I think this makes the chance of having a flat much less.

I'm not sure I understand your point about bearings.

big question is if the 20in wheels have weight rating to handle that load..the 19.5's would handle that type of use better..was going to go to rickson's with 245's on my dodge bought bigger truck instead...

If you decide to go with the 20" rims, be sure they are rated for the weight also.
I went with Rickson 19.5 rims and 225/70/19.5 tires.

I just did the SRW conversion and went with the Toyo 285/70R19.5 M608Z. 6395 lbs max load per tire so plenty of safety margin. Big investment to move up into the medium duty truck tire world (rims and tires) but you end up with a solution that is so much more robust.

If you get the 20's make sure you always have a spare tire, they don't stock that size in many parts of Alaska. I might even carry a second unmounted spare, or carry one unmounted 20" and a tire and rim that can be mounted on the front in case of a flat.

If you have 4 WD, you can not use it with different size tires, except at really low speeds (say less than 5 MPH) and for a really short distance (like 10 feet) as the center differential will have difficulty with the two axles spinning at different rates.

19.5" tires are found all over Canada and Alaska, and should be no problem to get replacements - even if they need to be shipped in a distance, should be within 250 miles anyway.

Fred.