I finally pulled the trigger on a set on 19.5 X 7.5 Ricksons wheels. They should be here in a couple of weeks. I chose NOT to buy my tires from Rickson. I have read all of the posts about 19.5 tires and did a bit of local shopping. I have narrowed in down to two tires, both of which are 14 ply 245/70R 19.5, the Hankook DH01 and the Hercules S-309. I have heard good feedback on the Hankook's but the Hercules are a bit of a mystery. One of the local commercial tire dealers here locally STOPPED carrying the Hankooks in favor of the Hercules. I can get the Hankooks for $229.45/ea and the Hercules for $209.00/ea.

Question: does anyone NOT like their Hankook DH01's and who has any feedback on the Hercules S-309?

 

I have the Hankooks and have beeen happy with them. The local coastco also sells some michelin 19.5 but they were a highway tred.

 

Good luck with your new wheels and tires. Pics would be appreciated when you get them. I still have some miles left in my current BFG KM2s...but im considering biting the bullet and buying some Ricksons myself.

..

 

I will post some before and after pics as soon as it all falls into place. I am really trying to decide between the Hankook or Hercules tires.

 

What's the load range on either of those tires (in weight)?

 

Both have identical max single load range of 4540#@110 PSI. Each are drive tires, each are 14 ply, and each are traction tires. The Hercules tire has sipeing (sp?) down all of the lugs whereas the Hankooks only on the outside lugs. I can get each locally, the Hercules are $20/ea cheaper.

If the local vendors only sold the Hankooks, no problem, I would not hesitate for one min. to buy them. Lots of guys run the Hankooks and like them.

I like to compare and want any input at all about the Hercules. One of the dealers stopped carying the Hankooks in favor of the Hercules, and he sells ALOT of the Hercules.

 

Did you get the wheels yet?

 

I don't have 19.5's but I am running a set of Hercules tires (stock size). I have 39K miles on them and they are about half way done on tread life. They balanced in pretty easy with reasonable weights, and traction has been acceptable in rain, snow and dry. I hope this helps you.

 

Still waiting on the wheels. Another week or so. Went and looked at the Hercules S309 14 ply tires today. I really like them, especially for $181 each.

 

I have the Hercules S-309 in 245/70-19.5 and so far have been OK. One thing that bothered me a little is they are made in China (I guess I shouldn't be surprised). Traction is good, ride is rough, which I expected for a 14 ply tire but it seems I have more checking on the sidewalls than maybe I should. I rarely take my truck off road so I guess it's normal for a 3 year old tire. The 19.5" Vision type 81 wheels that I bought are also made in china. If I had the money I would have gone to Rickson too but the wheels were $227 each and the tires were around $229 (I think) so it was hard to beat that price. BTW I got the wheels at Les Schwab and the tires from Big-O. For the money they aren't bad but like I said, if I had more shekels in the bank I would go with a better quality tire.

 

DELECTRIC, what other tires in that same size did you look at? I am torn between the Hankook and Hercules.

 

I ran Hankook DH01s on all wheels for three years with no apparant problems. But on a 10K plus trip to Alaska and back I developed some cupping on the front tires. The DH01 is a drive axle rated tire and is not recomended as a steering tire. I since have replaced the front tires with Hankook AH11 an all position rated tire. I also replaced all the ball joints after the Alaska trip so the cupping problem may have come from that rather than the drive axle rated tire. Just a bit of info for you, check with some of your local smaller trucking companies you might find one like I did that is a Hankook dealer just to buy tires for their fleet and they will order the 19.5s for you at a better price. I paid $175 each for the DH01s and $188 for the
AH11s.

 

I started with the exact tires as farmer jim & ended up with the exact set as farmer jim !! My front tires cupped also.

 

I looked at quite a few but an aggressive lug and price were a big issue for me so the Hercules seemed the cheapest way to go. Like I said though, if I had the money I'd go with something else because they are made China. The
Goodyear G124 is one of my favorites.

 

Yea I too am really peaved that so many tires are made in China. I usually go out of my way to buy AMERICAN and I am really torn. I Also have my eyes on the Goodyear G-622 RSD. Not really sure if a good solid name brand tire is made in America. So many tires are made overseas now-a-day. I could buy 2 Hercules tires or the same price of one Goodyear. What to do!!!