19.5 tires/wheels on a Chev 3500

[omtay77]

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.

[pjay9]

I didn't catch that he needed G rate....here's a few 225 with G.
225/G

I have G on my dually...and always have wondered if I should have got F! Still I cannnot complain.

[Bedlam]

The OP's original tires are shorter than the 245's and the 225's don't have the capacity he is after. I was lucky to have my previous tires the same diameter and carried them as spares, but never had to use them. I still have three good Michelins mounted on 18" rims I need to sell...

[pjay9]

omtay77, Are you matching the tire stance with the 245? There is no need to get 5 wheels...if the tire size you are replacing has the same diameter as original, then no need...you may consider 225 instead of 245. With the durability of the tires the possibility that you'd need a spare is way down. You are buying them for safety and longevity. They are commercial tires, stout! Don't waste your coin on a spare. Buy a chip instead.

I have a dually and original spare, never been on the ground after getting the 19.5...I now have over 70K on tires and they are starting to show some ware. Love 'em! Good luck!

[omtay77]

Hi John...

I checked the specs for the M902, and it looks like a good option...I, too, am a little hesitant to go too aggressive. These might be a good compromise...and being Toyo, Les Schwab would not have to go outside of their main distribution channel.

tom b.

[AH64ID]

I run M608z's, and they are quieter, smoother, and track better than nearly every LRE tire I have ran.

The 19.5's will feel certain road conditions more, but generally ride much better.

Les Schwab balanced mine with CounterAct Balance Beads, and I couldn't be happier. They are balanced much better than other 19.5's I have been around with conventional weights.

The M608z is a very aggressive tire too, probably more than I needed and I might look into the M920 next time, it's still a decent "A/T" and carries a speed rating of 87 vs 75.

[wcjeep]

omtay77 wrote:
I'm going to be spending a lot of time on logging roads in the Cascades, gravel roads along rivers in Montana and Idaho, and dirt roads in E WA, so I'm leaning towards 'traction' tires all around....still headscratching, though....

For that use Traction tires make sense. Also recommend a Highlift jack for emergency winching. Be sure to learn how to use it before you need it.

All of my rigs now have cell phone boosters for communication. They are not magic. They will greatly extend your coverage. While they work great on AT&T and TMobile, they work best on Verizon and Sprint. Verizon/Sprint/US Cellular use Cdma tech for the 1x and 3g. Cdma travels better in the mountains. Data is slower on Cdma. If you are AT&T or TMobile, recommend getting a Pay as go Verizon phone and toss it in the glove compartment. Leave it off and charged. It can still make 911 calls.

[omtay77]

I'm going to be spending a lot of time on logging roads in the Cascades, gravel roads along rivers in Montana and Idaho, and dirt roads in E WA, so I'm leaning towards 'traction' tires all around....still headscratching, though....

[Bedlam]

You can use a steer tire up front and traction tire in the back. My F250 had traction tires all around and I heard the fronts sing. My 5500 has steers up front and is quieter. I also think the steer tires wander less due to the tread design, but my vehicles are too dissimilar to give an accurate comparison.

[omtay77]

I visited the Torklift shop in Kent a couple of months ago, and will probably go with the Stable Loads and a Superhitch. At that time, I hadn't yet decided on a TC, but now that I have, I'll make another trip down to discuss in greater detail what I need....also to talk to them about how to fit my spare under there....I like your onboard air...sweet idea.

My OEM tires/wheels I'll keep for offseason. It's not my daily driver, so I'll only have my teeth loosened half a dozen times a year.

Sorry to hear about your wife's vehicle. I had a lemon once...1984 Buick Riveria...worst POS I've ever owned.

Cheers

tom b.

[wcjeep]

I have had no problem with wandering. I have a solid front axle with an aftermarket steering brace. I think your truck is ifs. This should resist wandering better than my truck.

I have a Torklift SuperHitch for towing extension for my Jeep/trailer. I have to run my spare tire at Zero psi. My truck and Jeep each have on board Air. I also had to slightly modify the under bed bracket for the spare tire.

I have seen older Chevy Trucks with Vision wheels. The few I've talked too were very happy. I probably won't decide which tire is next for me until late April. I do run the factory rims during the winter. This allows good snow tire traction. My truck is back to daily driver status. We just lemon law'd the wife's vehicle.

When empty, I run the 19.5's at about 60psi. Full pressure:

Front 85psi

Rear 110 psi


Also look into Torklift Stable loads in stead of air bags.

[omtay77]

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.

[Bedlam]

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.

[abc40kids]

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.

[nomad297]

Nice choice for a truck!

Bruce

[wcjeep]

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.