19.5 wheels on 1 ton SWR

[Trent McCain]

We purchased a 2004 Mobile Suites and will tow it with a 2009 F350 11.4 GVW F350. The truck handled the coach beautifully on the trip home. Just out of curiosity, I weighed it at our local elevator and was surprised at just how heavy it was. All the specs we could find online indicated it should weigh just under 12K, in actuality, it's over 13K before we load our gear.

Front axle is 5,280/6K rated and the rear axle was 6,380/7K rated. Total on truck with me in the chair was 11,660/11.4 rated, and the total gross weight is 22,140/23.5 rated.

The wife and I do not full time and carry very little belongings as we only go for for a couple days. We also don't carry water as we stay in facilities that have full hookups. If we were full timing I'd look at a dually. If we scale this rig loaded and I think it's too heavy, I might end up with a dually anyways, but I'd like to avoid it if possible. Running at gross weight doesn't bother me as we run trucks commercially hauling bulk commodities and are loaded to gross weight 80K daily with no problems. I know we will be slightly over the GVW for the truck, but I don't think we will be over by much if any on the axles. In reading the spec on a 10.5 Sterling axle, I'm finding it's rated up to 9,700 lbs in other applications. I'm guessing the main reason the axle is rated as such on a SRW truck is the tires. I'd like to replace the factory 18" tires with 19.5 wheels and tires. That would give us more than enough tire capacity if we approach 7-7.5K on the rear axle. Has anyone done the conversion and what's your thoughts?

[Cummins12V98]

Most of the weight you add will go to the bed of your truck. So before you know it you will be overloaded. MS units are very heavy no matter what model you are talking about.

Pay really close attention to your rear axle TV weight. The tires are your limitation. 19.5's will be a smart way to go.

Our MS 36 SB3 has a unloaded weight of 12,400# and in reality loaded it weighs 19K with a pin weight of 5K.

NEVER NEVER USE UNLOADED WEIGHTS!!!!!!

[JIMNLIN]

Going to 19.5" wheels and tires is a very popular modification for more weight carrying reserve/stability especially with one ton SRW trucks carrying 4k-6k truck campers. Check out the truck camper forums on this and other RV websites.

Fords 7k RAWR can be the lessor of the tires/wheels or spring pack.

Fleet Ford specs show the 18" wheel has a 3525 lb rating.
The LT275//70-18" tires show a 3640 lb rating.

Check out the Rickson 19.5" wheels which are rated 4500-5000 lbs capacity each.

Your axle loads are well under Fords ratings which is #1 safety issue. Looks like a good match.

[Trent McCain]

That's my thoughts, as long as we are good on axle weights, being slightly over on GVW doesn't concern me. I'm thinking Rickson or Vision wheels. Our tire shop that handles our heavy trucks stocks several brands of 19.5 and can order what they don't have. As for carrying the load, the truck did great, it didn't sway and actually held the weight better that the original owners dually Dodge did. I figure we will be close to max on the rear axle and tires are your only contact with the road so within reason, the higher capacity the better.

[32fws]

I did the rickson 19.5 on my truck and can tell you I am happy. the wheels are awesome American made quality.

A thought to think about as well, I also upgraded my tires on my trailer to 17.5" from 16" and I wish I would have thought about doing 19.5" on my trailer to have it all matching I think it would look great.

if you have any specific questions, reach out to me I would glad to help

Eric

[elkhornsun]

With your current rims you can change out the tires for ones rated at 3750 lbs. or higher at 80 PSI from Toyo, Nitto, BFG, and possibly others. That adds 1100 lbs. of payload capacity at the rear axle and with your situation that is more than enough. You will save at least $2500 by going this route versus new 19.5 rims and tires.

[Trent McCain]

Eric,

Thanks for some real world experience. Here's a little background. We bought this truck to pull our campers, it's not a daily driver. We ave around 5K mi a year, some towing, and some driving around just because I can. It rides like a lumber wagon when empty with the Torklift Stableloads on it. Truck is meticulously maintained and detailed and doesn't see salt or snow. After it's been on the road it's cleaned up and goes back in the building. I first came across the ebay ad for Vision wheels and Hankook 225 tires for around $1,500. The current tires 18" (3,640 lbs rating) will last some time in a non-towing situation, but with the increased weight of the new 5th wheel, I'd replace them before we start camping in the spring. I figured I'd have atleast $900-1,200 in replacing those with a Michelin, BFG, Goodyear. So the cost to upgrade to 19.5 seems minimal. If going the 19.5 route, I'd run 245 width as it would give the increased capacity. It doesn't seem worth it to convert and run 225. In visiting with my OTR truck tire specialist, he recommends a BFG tire, it will cost more, but as picky as I am, he feels I will like the ride, handling, balance etc better than a cheaper tire. My concern is we don't run this truck much, so I figure the tire will rot off before it wears out, so I could get by with a "cheaper" priced tire> What are your thoughts? I run trucks for a living, and in tires you seem to get what you pay for. I have to run Michelins on the tractors as in my application, they are the only tire that will last. So I'm not against spending the extra money for good tires. I understand from some, that the 19.5's ride rough and like to "wander". That doesn't excite me as I want the wife and kids to feel comfortable driving this truck if we convert. Some people say the finish in the Vision wheels are junk. Again, this truck doesn't see salt, I feel with the way I take care of my vehicles, this probably will not be an issue. I'm thinking Vision alumin for the weight savings, and 4,500lbs is all the capacity I feel I'd need vs 5,000 with Ricksons. What made you decide on Ricksons over another wheel? I did look at going to a slightly larger tire on my stock rims. According to Ford the factory rims are rated for alittle over 3,500lbs. I need to research tires more, but about the only thing I've found so far, that has a heavier weight rating are usually aggressive tires, and I don't want an aggressive off road tire nor do I really want to go much wider. Does anyone have ideas on a heavier replacement for the 18" rim? I do agree that would probably be cheaper, and satisfy the requirements. I've always been a believer in that with reason, you can never have too heavy capacity of a tire. I guess I'd like the truck to drive/preform/feel as close to stock as we can. I run trucks daily, so I'm used to it (ride, handling) . My wife is new (just learning) to towing the coach, and I want her to feel comfortable too. We are wanting to start traveling more, and the last thing I want it tire trouble away from home. Thanks to the both of you for your replies.

Trent

[32fws]

Hi Trent

I found my Rickson wheels used through rickson themselves, they have a section on their website for people to sell used wheels. The ones I bought are forged aluminum. Now rickson also manufactures steel wheels so if you want the aluminum you need to find them second hand. As far as the vision wheels I believe they are "cast aluminum" and they are made in in China.

I went with Toyo mud and snow 225 tire size. If you go on the rickson website for the tires you will see all the makes, sizes and weight carrying capacity. The reason I went with the 225 is I get I think it's 3960 lbs per tire and it is close to my original tire size as to not mess with my 4.10 gearing. Also if you get a flat you can use your spare stock tire. (You put the spare tire on the front and axle)

I am in almost the exact situation you are in as my truck is only used to tow. Maybe I can feel more manly and drive it once in a while instead of my commuter ca, scion IQ. (Don't feel very manly driving that thing)

Does the truck ride ruffer? Probably I don't notice at all with the fifth wheel hooked up and driving unloaded maybe a little.

Does the truck go into ruts when driving? Maybe a little more but I don't think it is to bad.

Cost wise I paid $1000 for the rims and $1,600 for the tires from les Shwab total = $2600

Would I do it again = in a heart beat I have more confidence in my rims and tires on both my truck and trailer and I won't be that person on the side of the road with a blown tire and a ruined vacation

sorry for the scattered brain thoughts, I am preparing for a promotional exam at work and all my thoughts are focused in that direction, If there is a way to private message so as not everyone in cyber land can see my cell phone number I would be glad to talk to you

Have a happy new year

Eric

[Trent McCain]

Thanks Eric, Good Luck. I appreciate your feedback. And I have a bad habit of writing like I'd speak, so it get's long winded! I didn't think the 225's offered much more capacity from where I'm at now, so I was planning on 245's as I didn't figure I needed the extra weight/rolling mass of 265's. That's also the reason I was thinking of Vision alumin wheels over the Ricksons. I searched the net a little today to research larger tires for my stock rims. The only issue I've found is although I can find some rated for 3,850 lbs, the max inflation is 65psi instead of 80. So I'm concerned there would be considerable sidewall flex under load. What needs to be done, is weigh the axles again this spring now that we've loaded the coach, and see where we actually are on axle weight. I might not be in a bad of shape as I think and could get by with just replacing with stock size. How did you balance the tires, weights, dynabeads, equal? I was thinking more of a "all-position" or street type tire as it shouldn't "wander" or make as much road noise, but I'm also concerned about traction. 99% of the time this truck is on pavement and only in inclement weather by accident, so I don't really need anything too aggressive. Thanks again for your reply.

Trent

[JIMNLIN]

Don't forget your stock OEM Ford wheels are only rated at 3525 lbs so the higher rated tires won't give you any more capacity...just more tire reserve capacity.
And of course they have more sidewall flex/carcass roll issues over a 19.5" tire.

[wingnut60]

Trent,

I am currently running a set of Hankooks on my 450 after 2 sets of Contis. While the mileage wear is probably going to be the same, all the siping (crosscuts?) are gone on the steers (AH11) and the rears (DH01) are really beginning to sing. They are really squirrely on wet pavement, and no way would I drive it on ice/snow as they are. I will not buy Hankooks again--the Contis kept the tread patterns much longer then these have. Averaged 78k on the first 2 sets, will make it to that again with the Hankooks if I can stand the worry on wet pavement.
Just my thoughts on Hankooks....
Also, thought about the 19.5s on my trailer, but I would have lost a lot of capacity over the 17.5s, so that was not an option for me.
Joe

[Trent McCain]

Finally loaded our coach for a week long trip. Weighed on the CAT scales, full of fuel with me in the chair is 5280 font axle (6K rated) 7040 rear axle (7K rated) gross 23,500. So we are over the GVW on the truck and at capacity on the rear axle. That's better than I figured we would be. We could probably eliminate a couple hundred pounds from the basement storage. I talked with my Ford service manager. They have 1000's of these trucks in our area, I asked him if it would brother him to run at capacity on the factory wheels. He stated they have seen several trucks throughout the years that had been abused and loaded over capacity.... they have never had a wheel failure. I think I will be fine with the 4,000 lb rated Toyo tires as an above poster mentioned. Thanks for everyone's replies.