Well at 71k and needing a fourth set of tires, I finally broke down and went with the 19.5s. I was quoted $1600 for a new set of Toyo A/Ts in 285/75/17s (which I totally love), even with a $102 credit for each tire, I was tired of only getting a good 30k out of them. I was at 34k with the current set and the tread measured 1/32! So if I can get at least 70k out of the new Toyo's I will make $$. I ended up getting the vision 81 wheels (19.5x7.5) and the Toyo M-608Z in 265/70R/19.5. I got about 40 miles on them right now, and really can't tell a difference in ride, they are a little bit stiffer than the old tires thought. Les Schwab's had to remove the front mud flaps because of the tires contacted them. I will mess with them later and see if I can get them back on there. If I get air bags, I might put in a set of leveling spacers in the front. I will give updates on these tires. I paid $2414 (that included the credit for the old Toyo's) and that included the wheels, tires, and lugs, and the Les Schwab's road hazard/tire balance and rotation for life.

 

Looks good.

Possibly solution for your mud flap problem. http://www.duraflap.com/lifted.html

MikeyB

 

badass tires right there!

 

Very nice set up.....

 

Looks real nice.
I'd like to know if the fronts rub under load.

 

I just took off my Vision 81 wheels and Toyo M-608Z in 245/70R/19.5 and went back to stock wheels and tires. I just sold me 5th wheel RV and I'm thinking of selling my wheels and tires. The tires are just about worn out but still have a few more miles left.

 

How was the noise level with the Bridgestone's and how many miles did you get out of them? Thanks.

 

I gotta ask, how did you go thru 3 sets of tires in 70k miles??... Were they being bought from Dollar General Store or something?

 

The new wheels look great, give the truck a new attitude.

If and when you decide to purchase airbags please let me know if we can help in any way.

 

Les schwab SUCKS they rotated the tires on my sons car and left 1 tire loose ,it came off on the hwy and wipped out the car and since he didnt have his paper work they said " SOL" this is the 3rd time they have done this to us (loose wheel lug nuts) Any ways wheels and tires on your truck look great hope they dont come off!

 

They look good!

 

I'm looking at my forth set coming real soon w/146k on her.
The Duras have about 54K on them, but this trip out to the west coast wore on them bad. Rough roads, like sandpaper.

I like the idea of the 19.5s, but man are they big$$. Not sure it would be worth it.

I still wonder how they fit and run with a heavy load on them, clearance wise.

 

Did you put the same tires on the front? The reason I ask is the Toyo says they are for the drive wheels only; but I don't know why.

Why do you expect them to last longer? Because of the increased tread depth?

It cost you an additional $800 for the swap. Besides the fact that you got some really good looking wheels, do you think you'll break even or save money in the long run?

 

I run the Vision 181's on my dually, they look the same as the 81's, just dually wheels.




@.boB - The cost of the 19.5 tires vrs 17's are about equal, and the 19.5's will go twice the distance, so when it comes to the cost of tires its like a 2-fer the cost of one.

Any time you buy aftermarket wheels, you will have that as an investment cost regardless. So considering the cost saving in the distance the tires will go, how long would it take to recover the cost of the wheels if you looked at the cost savings of the tires??? Most people who go to aftermarket wheels really do not consider the wheel investment. I know I did not consider the cost of the wheels from a perspective of return, I just considered them an expense that was needed to get my truck set up the way I wanted it to be. In the overall, maybe a better question is what is peace of mind worth to you when towing heavy? The safety alone of the higher rated tires to me is priceless.



CD