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.

[wyowags1]

Thanks Oregun. They are pretty reasonably priced compared to most others.

[Oregun]

wyowags1 wrote:
Anyone have any experience with Cooper Roadmaster RM253's? One of the tire places in Boise recommended these as an alternative tire to use.

My tire guy recommended them too so I got the 245's load range H.
Only had them on for 9 months or so but I like them. They need
a mile or two of running down the road before the flat spot disappears. I posted a picture of them last year.

[wyowags1]

Anyone have any experience with Cooper Roadmaster RM253's? One of the tire places in Boise recommended these as an alternative tire to use.

[Tamnative]

This was my experience with Vision wheels you can make your own judgment on whether to buy them or not. I sold mine. These were for a Ford also.Vision post

[wyowags1]

Thanks for the feedback Bedlam. Getting them locally sounds like wise advice really. The Toyo M608 like like an option also. There are several Les Schwab's around here. I'll give them a look.

[sasquatchgeoff]

In the PNW, some of the Les Schwab dealers have tire truing machines. You have to ask specifically for it, and sometimes tire techs won't even know what you're talking about. Also, America's tire have them in some locations.

[Bedlam]

I had good luck with the tires but others had trouble getting them balanced or being out of round. I suggest getting them locally rather than mail order so the shop can address any concerns that you may have. I had them on all four corners and feel they are loud up front with the open shoulder tread. I no longer have my F250, but now have a 5500 with 19.5's. I run the HSR front and HDR rear Continentals and the noise level is much better. If you usually drive with your windows closed, this may not be an issue - I like to drive with the window open. The PD890's did well in mud, snow, wet or dry conditions. None of the 19.5's do well in sand because they will not flatten and spread out when aired down, so they like to dig when you do not have that flotation.

[wyowags1]

Hi Folks, been a member and lurker for a while but have never posted. I'm ready to put the Visions and tires on my rig also pretty quick. Great info on these threads! Does anyone have any experience with the Dyna Trac PD890 tires? We do about 50/50 highway and forest service roads in our rig. trying to figure out what tire to go with. Thanks!

[Yukoners]

I found this page helpful when deciding on tires. Good move going with the 245s they have substantially higher ratings than 225s. I went with the Bridgestone M729F for a more aggressive tread and we are very happy with the upgrade. Ride is slightly rougher for sure but I do not lower rear pressure if just dropping the camper for a couple of nights....19.5 choices
I now have a near new set of 16" Michelins and OEM rims sitting in the shop.;)

[Area13]

Good stuff, great info.

I ended up getting new shocks last week and still considering 19.5's. I'm getting close to being done upgrading my truck, right?

I will tell you for my truck, Rancho 9000's were the best $400 I have ever spent. Thanks Artum Snowbird for the advice.

[luv2skyski]

Post

Older post I know but still relevant information.
Happy camping, Dave.

[Otterman]

I put Vision 19.5s and Toyo M608Z 285/70R19.5 on last week. Haven't had it out with the camper on yet, but as for unloaded ride, at 90 psi it rides just slightly rougher than my BFG AT/KO2s on 20s with 80 psi.

One benefit to the 285s is the max load rating is so high that at 90 psi, the load rating is higher than the load rating of the Vision wheels. I could go down to 80 or 85 psi and still be okay, but it rides well enough at 90 that I haven't tried it lower.

[sasquatchgeoff]

Not sure how your Visions turned out, but I love mine. I run Hankook AH-11s because I needed a distance tire vs a snow tire for summer traveling to the Tetons and the midwest, plus the traveling I do in the mountains around here doesn't get me into too much snow country. Night and day upgrade for lateral stability. They were 300/ea installed w/lug nuts and stems.

Just took it out this past weekend and found that 90 psi in the rears was not quite enough, stepping up to 95-100 this weekend. I am still tweaking my air bag psi, so I will try 35 next. For shocks, I am about to go with Bilstein 4600s, as the current shocks are worn.

Good luck with your new wheels.

[Grodyman]

You will not be disappointed in the 19.5's. I've put them on two trucks and they are great.
Gman