Hi guys I have been reading this forum for a while now and it is one of the best I have ever browsed. I am about a week away from picking up a dodge dually and love the look and performace of the 22.5's with the 255/70/22.5's on the trucks. Now I have a couple questions on this setup.
1. with my tuck having an auto and 3.73's will it kill my performance when pulling roughly 16k toyhauler.
2. along with #1 will a smarty make up for it or will it still be a big problem?
3. If I go with all aluminum wheels to try to counter the unsprung weight proble does it make the overall assembly in the rear wider?
4. should I find a truck with a manual to kinda compliment the already "overgeared" drive train.

I have searched for hours and have not found anything that has answered these for if it has been hashed I appoligize.

 

3.73's, 22.5s, and an auto trans could be a little much when towing 16K. Although if you are going with the new 6.7 and 6 speed auto you may be alright.
You mentioned a Smarty so maybe your talking a 5.9 with the 48RE trans, then I say no. You may want to try a manual, they are alot better with the 22.5s.
When I tow, and not that heavy I have to run O/D locked out so Im not lugging the engine on the highway due to gearing, which means Im turning over 2200 RPM at 65+ and mileage goes down.
Im leaning towards a Gear Vendors overdrive to give me more options but they arent cheap.

 

I would say 3.73 gears in a 5.9 or 6.7 auto would be geared to high. I have a friend with a 6.7 auto and 3.73 gears and in OD he is running less RPM'S then I am with the G56, and he has on the stock tires! I personaly wouldn't put them on a auto unless I had 4.10's.
I am running all Aluminum wheels on my truck and it is a big weight savings over running 2 inner steel wheels. But the Studs are to short on the adapters. You can get longer ones at any truck repair shop or possibly a truck tire shop. The studs are cheap so do it!! As far as tires I would go with Michilians. I have the Summotomo traction tires, they are nice and smooth and traction seems good but they can hold some big rocks if you drive on gravel.
As far as balancing the tires have the front and inner rear spun balanced.
One more thing I tow heavy and my biggest problum was the tires rubbing in the back when I was loaded and the truck was squating, a set of firestone air bags solved that.

 

thank you all for the info, sorry about the lack of details, it is a 5.9 and I prefer the manual but came across some new auto's so I was considering it. I think I may start calling every dealer on the west coast till I end up finding a manual. I never did mind shifting anyway.

 

Have you thought about the 19.5's?

 

I have a stick with the 22.5 and I think it is perfect, but i can see how an auto could be different

 

I have thought about the 19.5" but the price is almost a wash and the big 22.5 alcoa's just make the truck imo. Plus I have a friend who works for commercial tire and can get me everything but the adapters cheap so I don't want to get myself cornered where I am forced to buy from rickson's or anyone else.

Speaking of which, does anyone know any dealerships still holding on to a 5.9 6 spd dually? they are pretty slim in the northwest.

 

i don't have 22.5's but with my 37's and doing 78mph, i am at 1700 rpm and can lug the heck out of it below 65 mph. sometimes need to hit tow/haul or kill o/d at times. i need to re-gear bad! with the 22.5's and an auto, look at gears and a built tranny.

 

Yeah, like everyone else, I would just try to get a manual trans. It's the best setup with the 22.5s and towing with them.

 

The size isn't the problem. It's the weight of the 22.5 setup. It takes a little more "Ummff" to get them rolling.

 

I am running 22.5 s on an 05 3500 w/3.73 gears. I carry 4000# in the bed all day long. I also tow a gooseneck trailer weighing in at just over 20,000#

I have over heated the rear on occasion when weight is not dispursed correctly, but other than that it tows ok

 

Hey you guys with the 22.5s are who ive been looking for ive got 4:10S and a modified 48re do you think 6 steel 22.5s are to much to tow with or should i go all aluminum, Im worried about it truck left me stranded already and this truck is how i make money so no truck means no $$ ive got 35s now just want more miles out of e and they look cool.

Thanks guys

 

There is no way i would do steel all the way around i regret doing the inner rear steel

 

I was thinking of running 22.5 with my 305 410's auto. You think it will be a problem?

 

I have never drivin an auto with the 22.5 but I think you should be fine with the 22.5 you will loose in some areas and you gain performance in others.