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

[The_Mad_Norsky]

Silverado kid:

I should probably add (better late than never :B) the information that I had aftermarket wheels installed on my 2003 Chevy dually soon after purchasing.

This may /or may not have slightly changed the spacing between the duals.

Still ran the factory 215/85R16 tires. I purchased the wheels through the Tires Plus store in Minot ND. At that time (2003) there were only two available mag wheel choices, Alcoa and I believe American Racing Wheels. I got the American wheels, although on hindsight I wish I had gotten the Alcoa's. ( darn American wheels were a chore to check pressure on the inside wheel due to the smaller openings in the outer wheel).

I ran factory Goodyear tires, until they decided to crack all the way around the bead in front. Replaced with Michelins same as yours and had no problems with rubbing in back with a 3000 pound pin weight fifth wheel in tow.

[Silverado_Kid]

edm3rd Not sure, think so as long as I made sure the were always each rim was not on the same of the truck

[edm3rd]

Don't know alot about duals, but would an option be to keep the tires and buy 2 replacement wheels for the outside with different offset (assuming fenders would clear) ?

2 wheels might be cheaper than replacement tires.

[Silverado_Kid]

Thanks for the replay--byronlj
Ya,I agree with the ride. Mine do seem to open up after I drive on them. The gap opens up to about 1/4". But I am at 80psi.

I too looked at spacers too. I was looking at Fred's??? spacers. Don't remember the company, but he does spacers. At 1st it does not seem like a bad idea. A 1/4 inch spacer is not a lot. But then when you start thinking about all the different stresses, I think I would be better with the tires 1/16 inch apart. A blow out versus a sheared wheel(To all those reading this--NO I do not have anything to back up the sheared wheel comment)
It strange that Chevy used rims with such a close offset. Most of the Dodges and Fords seem to have about 1" when loaded. Chevy has a great motor and trany, but sometime they miss on other issues. ie Mirrors, etc.
Again thanks for you comments and feedback. I do appreciate it.

[byronlj]

Silverado,
I have stock wheels with simulators. Load Range E on tires.
I just got back from taking my 5th wheel down to Havasu. I had the front basement compartment and truck bed loaded with construction tools so the truck had a lot of weight in the back. Since you replied, I thought I would take another look. I checked my tires and there is a 1/4" black stripe around the inside of the duals. They were rubbing but lightly and probably not all the time. I didn't air up so I was still @70psi. It's your call on the tires but I sure like the ride and handling from the LTX's. I am not going to worry about mine, especially with all the weight I had. BTW, before I bought these tires I was thinking of going to 235-85-16's with spacers. All the research I saw turned me away from the spacers.
Dave

[Silverado_Kid]

byronlj
I was just out your way. We stayed in Lake Havasu, BeachComber Resort on our way back from the Grand Canyon. Beach Comber was over priced and really wasn't that good, plus it was hot. I would like to return in the winter. Is there any RV park you would recommend?

That interesting your tires are not that close. What is the "LR"? I am stock, and an 03. The only thing that I think might be different is it looks like you have Aluminum Rims, mine are steel.(Would not think the rim off set would be different, though)

Just out of curiosity, what is your gap when you are loaded? What is also interesting is you are at 70lbs. I would touch for sure.

Does anyone know if Chevy would have changed their offset in their rims between 03 and 07?

I guess new rims could be an option, but I really do not want to buy new rims. I am kind of favoring "The Mad Norsky" post and trying the XPS. Of course I am hoping Michelin will help me out on the cost. I have heard those tire are stiffer and give a rougher ride. But that better than my 1/16 of an inch.

[byronlj]

I have Michelin LTX M/S2 LR "E" tires in a 215-85-16 on the rear of my Chevy dually. My truck scale weight is just over 8k, I have an in bed aux. fuel/tool box and tow my 5th wheel in signature and my pin weight is over 3k. I run 70psi when towing. I just rotated my tires and there was no evidence of tire rub. I am sure because there was mud on the sidewalls from last spring and it wasn't rubbed off. With the amount of weight I have I don't think you have anything to worry about. Great tires by the way.
Dave

[hemismith]

Interesting, mine has 225/75-16, I guess an alternate size my year, and I've been worried about the gap and was planning on getting 215/85-16, but if they bulge more I guess it wouldn't help much.

[The_Mad_Norsky]

You could change over, if financially feasible, to the Michelin XPS Traction tire in the same 215/85R16 size.

I believe these have a stiffer sidewall, and from reports I have seen here on the forum, users are very satisfied with these particular tires.

Most any other size will rub for sure on the 2003. I previously owned a 2003 Chevy dually, and observed a friends vehicle (also a 2003) with 235 sized tires and they rubbed unloaded.

[Silverado_Kid]

mguay--Ya that what I have been told. I should have 1" to 3/4". If I remember on my Bridgestones I had about 3/4" loaded. Hmmm. Maybe, I will give Michelin a call and inquire. My guess is the M/S2 is just a softer tire.

Hopefully, a few other people will post what they have on their Chevy Dually.

I am thinking of loading the camper full of water in all tanks which should put my weight slightly over Max weight and have them put on a different brand. Then I can see the gap before I drive on them. Just an idea. It also depends on what Michelin does. I can't afford new tires again for sure. But I am willing to settle for some prorated amount that hopefully will not cost me more than $300.00 to replace. Thanks for the rely

[Silverado_Kid]

Gripnriprod The truck 2003 Chevy 3500, and Camper Lance 2003 1025. When loaded I come in at about 10,300-10,800lbs according to the certified truck scale I go to. I think the truck is rated at 10,500. If I am over it not by much.

The load rating of the tires are Load Rating E.

I also DO NOT pull a trailer which would increase the weight because of the tongue weight.

[mguay]

Silverado Kid wrote:
Golden_HVAC, larry barnhart
Sorry I left that detail out. Yes, they were at exactly 80lb cold. I was so paranoid that I would check them every day.
Regarding the spacer--There was never a spacer, but I have been looking into spacers, but have been told by many people I should not use them. It appears the max I can get would be a 1/4". Of course I could put two, but then the rim is not on the hub and that dangerous. Thus, I am trying to avoid spacers.
When I had the Brigestone I did not need them, I think it was a stiffer tire.

mguay If you are going to get the Michiln Tires right now, I would put the camper on when purchasing. Then you can see if they will work and not drive on them. Yours is a new truck, 2005 vs 2003 and maybe something has changed. What tires do you have now?

Uniroyal Laredo 215/85/16 run @ 70lbs all the way around with 1" of clearance while hooked to the 1900# pin weight 5er. Wear has been great at around 50k....the big prob is they are useless in the snow and unfortunately I live where it snows......for know!

[Gripnriprod]

Kid, When I said "that tire" I meant Michelin LTX M/S2 LT235/80R-17 (They were available as an option when I bought the truck.) Sorry I wasn't specific.
What load range are yours? Mine are E. How much does your camper weigh?

[Silverado_Kid]

Gripnriprod What tires are you running on you 11 GMC?

kerry4951 I understand you skepticism, I will take pictures when I get back to my storage facility. Probably next weekend. When the truck is unload the gap is about 1".

1rickw Michelins do have softer sidewalls, but they make for a much better ride. With the exception of the gap, I actually like the tires. I have always like Michelin's and have never had any problems with them failing. I will have to look up Hankook, not that familiar with that brand. The tire company, American Tire, is willing to call Michelins on my behalf to see if I can change tires. They told me many people on putting on the BFG Commerical, but the ratings are only so so from what I have found thus far.

I was thinking also of going to a 19.5 rim and tire from Rickson, but I see issue with fit, and speedometer changes. In addition, not sure if Michelin will be will to change size since I now have a used tire.

[1rickw]

I was using Michelins on my class C and the gap always seemed a bit close. When I changed to Hankook tires about 3 years ago, the gap increased to about 1 inch. The Michelin's do seem to have softer sidewalls.The gap was never as close to 1/16' though.