My 19.5" bolt on's are on the way. (ship tommorrow) Time to start shopping for some rubber. I want a decent traction tire. I'd like to fill the wheel wells on my 04 3/4 ton without having to put a lift or leveling kit. Anyone out there what to chime in on what size rubber they are running with 19.5"s. 245's,265's?

 

Michelin XDE's look good as well as Yokohama MY507 have some of the sizes you need.

Post up pics when you get them mounted.

 

I have a set of Hankook DH01, 265's that seem to be working out alright. It took over 3000 miles for the little nubbins on the face of the tread blocks contacting the highway to be worn completely off. I had the center tread blocks siped at Les Schwab. Left the outside blocks alone at their suggestion -- they said they had had reports of the tires being squirrelly on the 19.5's when the siping was done full width across the entire tread face.

 

I did some additional research here locally. I can get some retreading done with a pretty aggressive traction design once the original tread wears out. I would imagine it makes a difference with what you start with. In other words get a good high quality 14 or 16 ply to start with.

 

Goodyear 265/70/19.5 G124. Probably the best traction tire you can get imo.

 

I installed Goodyear G647's MS rated but slippery when wet. They are 245/70x19.5. They measure out at 33 inches tall and fit the wheel wells nicely without rubbing

 

I've got the Hankook DH01's also. They are very aggressive and hold the road well under heavy acceleration and braking.

Unfotunately, even at 80psi in the rear and 60psi up front they are very stiff. I couldn't imagine them at 110psi even with my 14K lb load in tow.

 

My Yoko TY303's were brutal at 120psi...I'm down to 60psi rear, and 65psi front and I could stand a bit less pressure. 16 ply tires suck for an unloaded 3/4 ton pickup...at least for ride quality

Chris

 

I have Michelin XDE-MS's (245) ON MY '05 3500. Overall I am happy with them but they sing at all speeds and they are super-squirmy until they break-in

 

I had the Toyo's and would not recomend them to anyone. They wore out after 35,000 miles and were noisey. Not a good tire. Recenlty put on Firestone road tires, don't need off road tires. If you can get them in 12ply instead of the noraml 14ply the ride will be greatly improved. The 14 ply are rated over 4,500 per tire, more than I need.

 

You know most of the 19.5 tires have a 75 mph max speed rating!!!!

 

All heavy truck tires are rated at 75 except for 11-24.5's which I believe are rated to 80. There are a whole buch of 18 wheelers that would be surprised to know their tires were supposed to give up at 75....'specially those with the cruise set @ about Mach 1 that you see out on the big road/s almost every day.

 

I would guess the 75 mph rating would be more for the loads these truckers are hauling. I've seen those boys with empty 40' flat just hittin' the high spots. Once they are loaded I tend to see them driving a little more conservative. Would be the same for me, I don't drive down the road when I have the 11' cab-over camper or equipment trailer the same way as I drive empty. I see some of you fellas listing your tire size, 245's and 265's.
For those of you running 265's did you need to do a leving kit or lift ? Will 34 inch tall 265's rub on a stock suspension 04 3/4 4X4?

 

265's will clear with no mods whatsoever.