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Author
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Topic: What do you use for 16" tires?
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-14-2006 11:58 AM
 
My 74 F350 dually ramp truck is due for another pair of front tires real soon. I`m just wondering what experiances you guys that haul heavy loads have had concerning tire choices. My truck is very rarely driven without a car on its back, total weight is normally between 10,000-10,500 lbs, with about 3,000-3,200 lbs on the front tires. I currently have 7.50R16`s all around, but since this tire size is not very popular anymore, I`m thinking of going to a 235/85R16 10 ply tire. I have used this size in the past, but with my rear dual wheels, the sidewalls were lightly touching each other at the "bulge". However, this is not a concern on the front. In the past, I have had the Michelin XPS rib tires, which worked quite well, but they are pretty expensive. A friend has a similar truck that he hauls scrap cars on, and he really likes the Goodyear Wrangler HT, but I have heard others that didn`t like them. I don`t need an "All Season" tire, as the truck is basically used only for getting to & from the dragstrip, so no winter driving, and only wet roads on a rained-out race. I only put 2 or 3,000 miles a year on the truck. Any reccomendations, or tires to avoid?------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed [email protected] 1.32 60 foot
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected] 1.63 60 foot
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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73torinoqcode
Gearhead Posts: 515
From: Buffalo,NY,USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 05-15-2006 12:50 AM
Its not an answer but I would look on RV.net on thier message board, search the Truck Camper forum. Truck campers can be extremely heavy and have axle loads very similar to what you carry. They log tons of miles on thier rigs also and are very helpful. You can probably find a lot of answers just by search. I have got some great answers there. Hope this helps . Bill
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 05-15-2006 09:59 AM
On our 1 ton dualies at work, I run Hankook RH03. They stand up the best, last the longest. It's a 10 ply and for the price you can't beat them. Better, but a lot more $$$ is the Michlin XRV.
I don't like Goodyear either....great marketing, crappy tire. (like a Fram filter)
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Whitson
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Western Canada
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted 05-17-2006 10:09 AM
BTW, the perfect size match for your 750/16's are a LT215/85R16.  But because a 235/85 is more popular, they are cheaper.
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Poes Fords
Gearhead Posts: 178
From: Medford, OR USA
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 05-18-2006 02:17 AM
Not cheap at all, but Toyo's M54 is a tough, ribbed tire. Jason.
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 3237
From: Stanton, Michigan, zip 48888
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 09-06-2006 10:32 AM
Rory, So what tires did you end up putting on the front for your race car hauler? Ryan
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 09-07-2006 01:03 AM
Well, when I went to the tire store, I was leaning towards another set of Michelins, but the owner of the store had a pair of nice used Generals, for a great price, so I wnet with them for now. I must say that all the work I did on the truck this summer (rebuilt power steering box and new "rag joint", poly radius arm bushings, new shocks, a pair of Firestone front airbags,new brakes and calipers,new headers and dual exhaust system, etc) made a HUGE differance is how the truck drives. I`ve done a couple of 300 mile treks to dragstrips in Washington state, and the truck drives so nice now, it`s hard to believe it`s over 30 years old now. Plus, so far, the front tires are actually wearing evenly!------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed [email protected] 1.32 60 foot
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected] 1.63 60 foot
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 3237
From: Stanton, Michigan, zip 48888
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 09-07-2006 08:25 AM
 Sounds like a sweet race car hauler, Rory!You mentioned installing, "...a pair of Firestone front airbags..."? Are those the type that go inside your front coil springs or ? What do you think they did for you? Any pics of your hauler? Thanks for sharing your hauler info!
Ryan
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 09-08-2006 04:23 AM
Yes Ryan,the Firestone air bags go inside the front coil springs. I origionally wanted to buy a new set of front coils springs for my ramp truck, as the front end tended to sink a bit with the car loaded up, and the Twin I Beam front end would go into negative camber, and wear out the inner tread of the front tires much faster. However, Moog doesn`t have a listing for my 74 F350, and custom made springs could be made locally, but at $400.00 pr, PLUS a 2-3 week wait, AFTER I remove my original coils, so they could measure the spring diametor, height, and spring rate. I bought the Firestone AirBag kit from Summit for $65.00, and they work great.I measured the front camber with a 3 foot carpenters level, and it seems that 30 psi in the air bags puts me near zero camber with the truck loaded. Although I seldom drive the truck unloaded, I can remove most of the air to get the correct camber for the truck being unloaded. I`m quite pleased with the F. air bags. As for photo`s of the truck, well, it`s beauty lies more in it`s hauling capability than it`s outward appearance! I`ll try a put up a photo or 2 this weekend if I can.------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed [email protected] 1.32 60 foot
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA M/Stock 302 5speed. [email protected] 1.63 60 foot
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 3237
From: Stanton, Michigan, zip 48888
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 09-08-2006 09:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Rory McNeil:
As for photo`s of the truck, well, it`s beauty lies more in it`s hauling capability than it`s outward appearance!
I`ll try a put up a photo or 2 this weekend if I can.
LOL! Not to worry. I wasn't looking to judge it's shine,,,rather I was hoping to checkout it's layout & functionality as your hauler. I've always liked the idea of a hauler rather than trailer & tow truck. I was just hoping to maybe see what you've done.... Heck, my '65 tow truck (F100, 390, T-18, 3/4T leafs) likely has the most faded & chalky (laid down 24yrs ago) old paint around these parts! Sadly, rust has been popping out on my ol' Dude...  ...but he's still a towing beast!  Thanks,,,, if it's not a bother, I'll really like to see a few pics of your hauler....if you'd rather, you can email them to: [email protected] Thanks again, Rory!
Have a good day!
Ryan
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