Forum Discussion

GBEngineer's avatar
GBEngineer
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016

New tire?

I have a 2005 Silverado 3500 Duramax. I am looking for a used camper. I need new tires for the truck and want to buy them before I get the camper. The tires I have on now are 215/85R16 load range E and are said to be good to 2470lbs per tire giving me close to 10K on the back. That seams like plenty. They provide 5360lbs up front. Can I go with the same tires and use with the camper? I don't want to buy tires and then find out they won't work with my camper. I haven't found my camper yet but expect to have a loaded weight of 3300-3500 lbs which is about all my truck is rated for.

Thanks for any advice.
Truck Campers
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Apr 25, 2016
    GMC was 2003 2500Xcab 4x4 Xcab SB - we up-sized from stock 245's to BFG 265's AT shortly after buying it.

    Recently upgraded to 2015 GM 2500HD 4x4 ExtCab SB stock with 265's and went up with BFG 285 AT and the ride improved a HUGE amount. Not sure it was totally the up-size as the stock 265 tires sucked. But the BFG's 285 AT are a sweet ride on the highway, and do a great job off-highway as well. Not cheap ... but worth it.
  • realter's avatar
    realter
    Explorer
    Apr 25, 2016
    monkey44 wrote:
    We don't have a dually, but we up-sized our stock tires two sizes on the 2500HD, and it made a huge difference. The stock tires were a part of the 'bad ride' but the new BFG's are smooth as silk on the highway in comparison.

    Did the same thing on our last GMC, with similar improvement. Would be a good idea if it fits properly.



    What year is your GMC, and what tire exactly did you buy? My 09 GMC has a poor ride. Thanks.
  • Butch50's avatar
    Butch50
    Explorer
    Apr 25, 2016
    I think it is best to stay with the size you have now. If you go to 235 make sure they are not touching on the inside of the duals. That is a no no. No matter what you do on tires on a dually they are still going to ride rough unless you adjust the tire pressure between empty and loaded, then is still is not going to ride like a Cadillac.
  • GBEngineer's avatar
    GBEngineer
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2016
    Thanks for the replies. I will ask the tire shop about 235 but if there is any concern with them fitting I will just stick with 215s.
  • monkey44's avatar
    monkey44
    Nomad II
    Apr 24, 2016
    We don't have a dually, but we up-sized our stock tires two sizes on the 2500HD, and it made a huge difference. The stock tires were a part of the 'bad ride' but the new BFG's are smooth as silk on the highway in comparison.

    Did the same thing on our last GMC, with similar improvement. Would be a good idea if it fits properly.
  • ticki2's avatar
    ticki2
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2016
    Anything larger than stock with that year chevy dually loaded will rub on the rear without spacers . You can get away with 1/4" spacers and 235/85/16 , but just barely . I happen to like the 235's , but 215's are fine and will exceed all your weight ratings .
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Apr 24, 2016
    Second the upsizing. Get you a little hiway gearing out of the deal with 235 85s or 245 70/75s
  • FireGuard's avatar
    FireGuard
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2016
    Yep, that's the beauty of a DRW. Very hard to overload the tires.
    Depending on what camper you want I would find the rear axle limit rated by the manufacturer. The older trucks had a low GVW rating but you should be able to carry more on the axle.
    One consideration if you want to use wider tires is the gap between them. Make sure they don't rub or use wheel spacers. You should be good up to 235 or maybe 245 stock.
  • burningman's avatar
    burningman
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2016
    Yes, that's plenty of capacity. It's pretty hard to exceed the stock tire ratings on a dually, without doing something like carrying 6 yards of gravel in it.

    My dually diesel Dodge 4x4 with my really heavy 11.5-footer on it scales at 4340 on the front axle and 7300 on the rear.

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