Hi All...New to the forum and 'kind of' new to truck campers, and am hoping those with far more experience than myself can provide some advice.I have a 2015 Chev 3500HD,long-bed, still stock, gas, 4.10, SRW, running LT265-70R18's OEM.I'm trying to get the truck set up correctly before I buy my camper of choice (Artic Fox 996). Also, once or twice a year, I plan to hook on a 16' flatbed with an old jeep on it--though most trips by far will be TC only.In a nutshell, camper alone will put me at the rear (tire/wheel) max, so I'm planning on upgrading to a 19.5 inch wheel. From what I've learned on this forum, as well as others, a 225-70R19.5 is nearly identical (circumference) to my existing OEM's, but the 3970 weight rating still leaves me short of the kind of 'cushion' I'd like to have. The 245-70R19.5 gives me the weight rating I'm looking for, but are about an inch-and-a-half larger in circumference. In measuring my current tire (32"?) and the available room in the wheel wells, it looks like they'll work.Question: Can someone tell me if the 245-70R19.5 will work on my 3500 without rubbing, etc?NOTE: I've tried a few times to ask the folks at Rickson, but nobody answers the phone.Thanks!tom b.

When I went to 19.5's in 2008 Rickson had a 6week wait for production. I called Les Schwab. They had Vision rims within two days. I'm running 245's on my 2006 Dodge. Zero rub or interference issues, however, completely different vehicle than yours. Some Les Schwabs will say they are not a commercial certified store. Which is baloney. The 19.5's are balanced on the exact same machine. I bought mine from the 4th Ave location in Seattle near 4th & Michigan st. Also check Craigslist. I searched there first. Bought mine new. The next day used 19.5's became available. Some Dodge and Chevy components are shared or were. Not sure if Dodge 19.5's can bolt on to Chevy. The inner hub hole used to be different. Also, one is hub centric while the other is lug centric. Again, do your homework when purchasing used. It's been my experience 19.5's are designed to haul heavy weight at all times. Do not expect the same empty ride as whatever your truck came with from the factory. My 245's are "G" rated. It is also possible to get "H" rated in the same size. I'm currently running Toyo M608Z. However, they are at end of life. Will be buying new tires shortly. I'll get something with a better highway tread. I also tow a Jeep. Mud Terrains on my tow rig is not really necessary. Our Arctic Fox 811 is great in high temps or cold temps. If they still have an analog gauge for the propane heater swap it out for a $25 Walmart/Home Depot unit.

The 245's will work without rubbing and yes Rickson..... Great people, great product but never answers the phone, better to email them. Try American Force Wheels out of Florida.

I heard the new GM's have larger wheel openings, but have not seen it myself. In the past, you could not cut the front wheels sharp and compress the suspension at the same time without rubbing. Some people trimmed back part of the liner while others cranked the torsion bars a little tighter to add height. I had 245's on my F250 and hauled 4000 lbs while towing 8000 lbs. My rear axle weight was between 7000-8000 lbs based on what I carried and towed.Your AF992 will be heavier than than my AF811, so I would not attempt this without rims and tires rated for less than 4500 lbs each.I'm close to you if you have more questions.

Thanks for the help guys!I stopped by the Les Schwab near where I work (just off of Bel-Red Road in Bellevue) to get a 'ballpark' estimate, and they confirmed that they've done these (19.5's and 'G' tires) a few times, weren't sure about match-mounting, but could do a 'road force' for me...they were also able to speak knowledgably about offset and backspacing, so I feel pretty good about using them to get this done. The estimate we looked at was with a $411 'traction' tire as sort of a 'baseline' cost-adder, and came up with a $4023.00 total for 5--Vision 81's, 245-70R19.5's,(which they said will be close, but should fit fine), mounted, balanced and roadforced, lug nuts, and valve stems, etc...so, apprx $800 per corner--and could have this done in a few days.So, next is to choose a tire....I don't mind rough-riding (per Bill's post, it comes with the territory), and I don't mind the noise, but I DO mind 'wandering'. I'd like something that will track as well as a 'traction' tire possibly can.any thoughts?tom b.

19.5 tires/wheels on a Chev 3500 | Good Sam Community

markchengr
Explorer II
May 10, 2015
Hi, I've been running 19.5's for a few years now. I have a 2007 Classic GMC 3500 D/A SRW crew cab long bed. I have Vision wheels and Hankook DH01 245/70 tires. These have traction treads and do sing on the highway but you get used to it. I'm on my second set of these tires. The first set were replaced at 75,000 miles only due to their age (7 years). It is unsafe to keep tires longer than that on a vehicle that sits for long periods such as mine. They had plenty of tread left but I have had 2 tires on other RV's fail catastrophically due to old age (not pretty). The guys at Les Schwab trimmed a little wheel well liner when I first had them installed so they wouldn't rub. I run 70 front and 60 rear empty and 80 front and 110 rear when carrying my 4,000 lb camper. The speedo is 2 mph low at 60 mph but with the stock tires, it was 2 mph high so I don't worry about it. I think you will find that most factory speedometers vary from true speeds somewhat. They usually shoot for true speed at 50mph and it varies as you move away from that. -Mark.
wcjeep
Explorer
May 10, 2015
Zero problems. I also do not corner like a race car. GOinG off memory, when empty the front weighs 4500lbs, rear 2500lbs.
omtay77
Explorer
May 10, 2015
Bill...have you experienced any problems airing your 245's down that low?
wcjeep
Explorer
May 09, 2015
That explains the rough empty ride.
omtay77
Explorer
May 09, 2015
...right now, both front and rear @ 80. I'm frankly a little nervous about letting it down below that...I guess I've read too many posts warning about rolling off the rims, etc.
wcjeep
Explorer
May 09, 2015
What air pressure are you running empty? On my Dodge I run:

Empty - front 60, rear 50

Full - front 85, rear 110
omtay77
Explorer
May 09, 2015
Here's a few pics...

https://imageshack.com/a/aeg4/1

tom b.
Grit_dog
Navigator
May 08, 2015
put up a pic!
On the speedo recalibrate, I wouldn't even bother with it. If you're ocd about your speed then just calc the difference for your highway speeds. It will be between 3-5mph anyway. Not enough to worry about and not enough to mess with the electronics of the abs, wheel speed sensors etc.
it also depends what tires the truck is factory calibrated for. If it has 18s then it's probably on the $ for the stock dia but some trucks, namely the last 3 new Fords I've had 11, 13 and '15 models all have/had stock 17" rims with smaller tires than the xlt or Lariat. All have read on the slow side and when I installed larger tires close to the OE diameter of the bigger rims, the speedo was then correct.
Point being, even the mfg don't worry about a few mph off.
omtay77
Explorer
May 08, 2015
Just a follow-up to my original post....

Last weekend had Vision 81's and Toyo M608Z's in 245-70-19.5 installed on my 2015 Chev 3500 SRW 4x4...no front rubbing whatsoever (a wee bit close, but no problems). The guys at Les Schwab here in Seattle (4th ave S) did a terrific job. They're used to seeing heavy trucks where they're located (industrial area of S Seattle), so had the right balancing equipment along with a wealth of knowledge about truck tires in general.

I've put 50 miles on them so far, and the tendency to grab and follow seams in the pavement is already starting to fade. The balancing seems fine--nothing noticeable up to 70 mph on freeway.

A bit rough riding, but not too bad. Next up is a new set of shocks.

All in all, very pleased so far.

tom b.
Bigfootchevy
Explorer
Mar 21, 2015
I have a 2015 Silverado 3500 SRW Crew Cab and I think the new GM's have larger wheel openings, but I don't know that for sure. Its the front wheels that you need to be concerned with.

I would not order 245's until you know for sure the front wheel wells are larger. The last thing you need is your tires rubbing. 225's are the same diameter as your original tires, but if you go to 245's you will need to buy 5 tires and rims as you will need a new spare.

My camper wet is 3700 lbs. I have no problems with my 225's.

Paul

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