Input on upgrading to 19.5's on my Super Duty TC forever now

[Area13]

When the spousal unit and I decided to (she let me) buy our current tc 2.5 years ago, it was to go camping and pull the boat. Now we have pulled the boat on a couple of longer trips (quite a load), but find we (I) love RV'ing in a TC after coming from pulling around a 26' TT. We camp about once a month in the winter and several times a month in the Summer now, more camping and more enjoyable, just us 2 and 2 small dogs.

I absolutely love being able to park almost anywhere and getting to cool places. Took us a while to get out of CG's with full utilities, now I look for places with no utilities and few people, even bought a Yamaha 2k gen. For several years we have talked about buying a brand new RV, probably a TT, now I can't imagine it, and she's almost on board too! We recently were shopping new TC's online, but decided our current is still in good shape and will wait a few years to pay off my boat first.

So here's my situation. I LOVE my current truck. It's the last of the old 7.3's and purrs like a lion. I maintain it well and only drive it about 3-4k miles a year since I have a company rig. It's paid for and will be buried in it, so dually is out, drive one every day at work,know they haul the best, but don't want one.

Anyways, sorry so long winded, but thinking 19.5's might get me where I need to be as far as a long time TC guy. I currently have 285X75X16 rated for 7500 lbs. My wheels rated for about 7300 lbs. I am about 7k rear axle loaded, not much wiggle and kinda sloppy.

I have 2 concerns-

Breaking the bank.

Ride quality without TC.


As far as breaking the bank, I think I can get setup for just over $2k I have found Visions for just under $800 shipped to my door new. Not bad, hope they are decent wheels, not a lot of people complaining from what I can tell. I think they look pretty **** good and are rated for 9k lbs.
Tires are really expensive. Not sure what to get, but thinking 245X70X19.5, just over $300 for these I was looking at http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dunlop-SP-461-245-70R19-5-G-14PR-BSW-/331774142264?hash=item4d3f47a738:g:ULg...

Now ride quality.....My truck rides rough, I deal with it. Will 19.5's send me through the roof? Or just air 'em down without the camper and won't be much worse?

Thanks for any input.

[Bedlam]

Both offer good dampening when loaded and lifetime guaranty but the Rsncho will adjust to give better unloaded ride.

[Area13]

Awesome, thanks for all of the feedback. If I go 19.5's, i guess I better get shocks too, were on my list anyway. Bilstein 4600 set $240 or Rancho 9000 set $400? Hmm

[Bedlam]

I ran my 19.5's at 70 PSI unloaded and 110 PSI loaded. Unloaded ride was slightly harsher with the 16PR tires over the 10PR ones I ran before, but the loaded ride was better.

As was posted earlier, The 19.5's are heavier and using heavier dampened shocks like the Rancho 9000 or Blistein 4600 will help keep them under control.

[Buzzcut1]

did you say 19.5s unloaded? running mine at 80 psi an they ride just fine

[Vinsil]

Rides a tiny bit stiffer, but nothing horrible. Thing is...I have larger 285's so even loaded, I run 80 psi as they have a much higher load rating than the 245's or 265's. So, it will ride worse with the smaller tires since you'll be at 120 psi or so to carry the load.

I know price is a concern, but something to consider as it also sounds like the tires will age out before you wear them out. Since you don't put a ton of miles on it, go with the smaller tires and be sure to adjust psi when empty.

Also, love my Vision wheels. Since your going to buried in the truck....buy it some nice, new and expensive shoes!

FYI, found my set used with 5k on them..paid $1200. My tires cost the guy over $600 each..yikes. Watch CL.

[Area13]

jimh425 wrote:
I don't think the ride was much worse with 19.5s on my SRW. It did track grooves a lot more until I started running lower pressure in the front. Just fyi, for my F450, the recommended front tire pressure at GVWR is only 80 lbs.

I specifically wanted a DRW with 19.5s for the extra strength tires. I'd look around for used wheels/tires if you want to save a few dollars.

OK, thanks for the tips.

[Area13]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
The trick with those Ford wheels is that they only put them on from 1999 until mid 2003, then they changed the bolt pattern. The Visions also have special lug nuts needed to fit the wheels. I bought the good Rhino nuts for mine.

19.5's even at 75psi which is the lowest they will allow are still tough tires. You don't mention the shocks on your truck, but my adjustable Rancho 9000's used to feel pretty good at 2 and 1 when the truck was empty, and 8 and 10 with the camper on.

I probably need shocks too. Adjustable sounds really good. There's another $400! Thanks for the info.

[jimh406]

I don't think the ride was much worse with 19.5s on my SRW. It did track grooves a lot more until I started running lower pressure in the front. Just fyi, for my F450, the recommended front tire pressure at GVWR is only 80 lbs.

I specifically wanted a DRW with 19.5s for the extra strength tires. I'd look around for used wheels/tires if you want to save a few dollars.

[Artum_Snowbird]

The trick with those Ford wheels is that they only put them on from 1999 until mid 2003, then they changed the bolt pattern. The Visions also have special lug nuts needed to fit the wheels. I bought the good Rhino nuts for mine.

19.5's even at 75psi which is the lowest they will allow are still tough tires. You don't mention the shocks on your truck, but my adjustable Rancho 9000's used to feel pretty good at 2 and 1 when the truck was empty, and 8 and 10 with the camper on.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I sent you a PM