New Michelin LTX M/S2 Dually clearance issue??

[Silverado_Kid]

Had my Bridestone tires for 7 years before one finally blew. I figured it was time to replace them all.:(
I have always liked Michelin tires. I order 6 new tires, LTX M/S2 for my 2003 Chevy 3500 Dually. This is the stock size,215/85R16 for the original steel rims.

When put on they look great.:) They also ride great.:)
BUT:?
When fully loaded with my 2003 Lance Camper they bulge leaving not more than 1/16 of an inch between the two tire. My trip to the Grand Canyon and back was a daily worry.

My question:
For Chevy Owners:
On a Chevy 3500 what is your gap size when fully loaded?
For All:
What tires do you feel have very little bulge and seem to be a stiffer tire?
Any other comments would also be appreciated?

Thanks in advance.

chuck

[okeehandyman]

I used to have a 2006 Chevrolet 3500 dually. When I changed tires I too was concerned about the spacing. I purchased a set of Fred's spacers. Because they are machined with precision and have the proper mating surfaces to allow them to work properly as hub centric mounting surfaces, I never had any problems. Great Quality product- worth the cost.

[larry_barnhart]

Good to hear from you. I have thought how it had turned out for your problem a few times. I had different brands on the front and rear on our 2001 dually and it was an odd truck to drive because the back was squirrely.
chevman

[Silverado_Kid]

Update: I have had the BFG commercial Tires on now since Christmas-2012. I have towed both my 5th and my Truck Camper many times. They are holding up very well, gap is much much better. I do not have any issues.
What I did is kept 4 of the Mich. Tires. 2 are in the Garage. The other two are on the front.
Thus I am running the 2 Mich. on the Front and 4 BFG Commercial on the Rear.
This setup works very well.
Only limitation I see is my rotation. But I was in the snow and ice at Yosemite and traction was very good.
I am happy and would recommend the setup for those with an older Chevy Dually

[Silverado_Kid]

GTO66 No. I am hoping to do it this weekend. I towed my 5th wheel this weekend and the tires were not that close to touching. It just show how heavy truck campers really are. Like night and day. I think the BFG commercial tire are a good tire. The posts I have read have given them high marks. It hard to dump my Michelin for BFG, but the gap is is much more important in the end.

[dokkema1]

Get some spacers from Fred...Ive run them for yrs on many different trucks with NO issues...and I haul heavy on and off road...Fred makes the only spacers that hold up to abuse..all steel spacers...the fronts of our duellys have spacers from the factory...

[GTO66]

silverado kid did you ever get a chance to test the BFG commerical tires? I had the camper on for a short trip without the trailer,and I had no more than a half inch between the tires.Before I tow that trailer again I'm going to have to do something.I also saw a ford with spacers and the tires were outside the wheel wells to far for my likings.It appeared they might even rub or not clear the front jacks when loading.

[stickyeye]

Take a look at Firestone Transforce AT (all terrain) or Transforce HT (highway tire).
Sticky

[Desert1667]

Jaxom wrote:

Desert1667 wrote:

I have read on some other forums that some aftermarket aluminum wheels for GM's have a little more offset, I don't know if it would be enough to make a difference. Every little bit would help. 5.00 inch to 5.350 would amount to almost 3/8 inch , might be enough to make the difference.

Desert

I think the total spacing would be 7/10ths of an inch. You would combine the two 0.350 backspacings to equal 0.700. That's close to 3/4". 3/4" is about what I have on my 2010 Dodge 3500 Dually.

Not really because if you purchase a set of 4 aluminum wheels for your GM (2 Front and 2 rear) you are only gaining the offset on the outer rear which is about 3/8" roughly. The 5" offset steel wheel still remains on the inside.

Desert

[Jaxom]

Desert1667 wrote:

I have read on some other forums that some aftermarket aluminum wheels for GM's have a little more offset, I don't know if it would be enough to make a difference. Every little bit would help. 5.00 inch to 5.350 would amount to almost 3/8 inch , might be enough to make the difference.

Desert

I think the total spacing would be 7/10ths of an inch. You would combine the two 0.350 backspacings to equal 0.700. That's close to 3/4". 3/4" is about what I have on my 2010 Dodge 3500 Dually.

[Desert1667]

ticki2 wrote:

Desert1667 wrote:
Just thought I would mention something everyone might not know. If you look at the "Accuride Wheel" catalog it list all the replacement wheels sizes and specs. Unfortunately for GM owners, replacement wheels have the least amount of offset, about 5.00 inches. Ford and Dodge wheels go up to 5.35 inches (on each wheel)or more, all this makes extra clearance at the tire.

I guess my point is Ford and Dodge owners will have more clearance with the same 235 85 R 16 tire than GM guys.

Desert

That is exactly the problem with the GM's , the offset is the same till about 2010 when they went to the 17" wheel . Why they cut it so close is a mystery . Tires vary from make and model within the same size . I believe the GM spec calls for 8.8" being the max tire width , so check the tire specs for the one you are interested in. I am running 235's that are 9.2" and they show that they have touched at the bulge bouncing down the road at full load . So far it has been 3 years and 30000 miles and no troubles , but that is not proof of anything .I am still looking for a better solution because I do like the 235's . I have followed this subject on several forums and have not read of a single failure using Fred's spacers and think I am going that direction . The key to the spacers is to make sure they have the lip to keep the outer wheel hub-centric and stays centered because the lugs are washer type , not tapered .I had spacers on an old suburban for 100,000 miles with no problem . When you think about it all one ton dually's have a 4" spacer on the front wheels .

I have read on some other forums that some aftermarket aluminum wheels for GM's have a little more offset, I don't know if it would be enough to make a difference. Every little bit would help. 5.00 inch to 5.350 would amount to almost 3/8 inch , might be enough to make the difference.

Desert

[ticki2]

Desert1667 wrote:
Just thought I would mention something everyone might not know. If you look at the "Accuride Wheel" catalog it list all the replacement wheels sizes and specs. Unfortunately for GM owners, replacement wheels have the least amount of offset, about 5.00 inches. Ford and Dodge wheels go up to 5.35 inches (on each wheel)or more, all this makes extra clearance at the tire.

I guess my point is Ford and Dodge owners will have more clearance with the same 235 85 R 16 tire than GM guys.

Desert

That is exactly the problem with the GM's , the offset is the same till about 2010 when they went to the 17" wheel . Why they cut it so close is a mystery . Tires vary from make and model within the same size . I believe the GM spec calls for 8.8" being the max tire width , so check the tire specs for the one you are interested in. I am running 235's that are 9.2" and they show that they have touched at the bulge bouncing down the road at full load . So far it has been 3 years and 30000 miles and no troubles , but that is not proof of anything .I am still looking for a better solution because I do like the 235's . I have followed this subject on several forums and have not read of a single failure using Fred's spacers and think I am going that direction . The key to the spacers is to make sure they have the lip to keep the outer wheel hub-centric and stays centered because the lugs are washer type , not tapered .I had spacers on an old suburban for 100,000 miles with no problem . When you think about it all one ton dually's have a 4" spacer on the front wheels .

[Desert1667]

Just thought I would mention something everyone might not know. If you look at the "Accuride Wheel" catalog it list all the replacement wheels sizes and specs. Unfortunately for GM owners, replacement wheels have the least amount of offset, about 5.00 inches. Ford and Dodge wheels go up to 5.35 inches (on each wheel)or more, all this makes extra clearance at the tire.

I guess my point is Ford and Dodge owners will have more clearance with the same 235 85 R 16 tire than GM guys.

Desert

[cyack555]

when fully loaded there is about a 1/2" maybe little more, no rubbing issues, these tires are full of steel and very tough< but pricey. rear tires have 80psi when loaded fronts 75. Hope this helps

[Gripnriprod]

Getting back on my dually spacing. It's approximately 3/4" and no sign of rubbing. Sounds like '03 was an off year for GM getting the spacing right. I hope you get this worked out without a lot of additional cost.