Will this work, and does anybody have pics of this setup on a dually? I just want to make sure that the rears arent going to touch while towing 18000# :eek: .
I need a bigger more aggressive tire because im sinking in the sand and i have to have BFG all terrains but want to go a little bigger. Just want to hear some suggestions before i go through with it, oh and BTW go look at my H2 rims and tires for sale in the Buy/Sell section!):h

Surfrippa,
Well here is my input. I have 235/85 tires on my truck. I have a 3/8" gap unloaded and about a 1/4" when towing ~12K lbs. I would imagine on a pretty good bounce, even with weight distribution bars in place, they would distort enough at the ground level to touch. I have not seen anything on the tires that supports that but you have to believe it is happening. Honestly, with the weight you are carrying, I would switch to 19.5's. IMHO, I do not think you are going to benefit much from the tire upgrade and now you will add a concern of rubbing. I am just not sure how bad this reported rubbing is quite frankly. You hear about it, you have people afraid of it, But I have yet to see or hear(Factually other than a friend of a friend deal) that someone has had a blow out or a tire failure in general. You could add spacers to increase the gap but then why buy 235's, buy 255's. I am not a supporter of spacers at all, That is just me. I would worry more about spacers failing than tires rubbing.

Realistically the correct thing to do is the 19.5's I have been considering this but have been struggling to pull the trigger and buy. I have Alcoa's Magnum wheels and a nearly brand new set of Bridgestone Revo's and it makes no sense to swap them out at this time. I had them for sale a couple of weeks back in the forum but no takers.

Hope this helps

FWIW, like Duramax Dually I run 235/85R16's but on the stock rims. I have similar spacing between the tires. I also know the tires can and will touch on bumps when pulling 20,000#.

The big issue is how much pin weight do you have on the truck. Is it 15% or 25% of the 18,000# that your towing? You could have from 2700 to 4500# of pin weight.

I don't know how stiff the side walls are on the BFG AT's but using the stiffest sidewalled tire you can find, is the safest way to reduce the touching issues. I'm currently running Firestone's but will be looking at a different tire next time. The Firestone's have not given the mileage that I think they should have.

235's/85 on stock rims Will rub when over 3K in bed,

There will be a 'clean' black circular mark where they rub

Tire rub is not to much of a problem " unless WAy overloaded, usually broken studs,

Rubbing Will Add Heat to your sidewalls. Is that a Good thing?

Idahofox

Well i need the all terrains for better traction in the dirt and sand, i dont know what my tongue weight is but with trailer on the truck sits level, maybe a little higher. Oh and dont got the money for 19.5s plus i think they are ugly, i wan t tostay with stockers for now...

Are the BFG ATs really rated for dual use? A quick check of the BFG site says no.

I could not stand the stock tires that came with my truck so I swapped them with Michelin XPS Traction in the stock size. I do like the tread, no highway noise and have a fairly aggressive tread pattern.

I do haul a 4000 lb camper so the rub issue would be a risk I would not be willing to take.

Good Luck

Surfrippa,
I completely understand the 19.5 issue, This is the primary reason I have not bought them. Although depending on style, I actually like them, and I am extremely picky.

Back to your tire question, I do not think you will gain anything going to a larger tire. I would stick with what you have and reconsider other options where you will not put yourself in a position where you need to have more tire. I did check the BFG site and the LT tires are not designed for dually applications, I would go with Michelins or Bridgestones. I can say that my Bridgestones have been excellent. My snow excursions have been perfect.

Jeff

Where does it say they are not for dual use? ANd why would that be? They have really stiff sidewalls, i really want them because they do awesome in the sand and my primary destinations with this trailer are to the desert and the dunes..... So what should i do?

Do you guys have any suggestions on any other tires, those michelins are not aggressive enough for me, and their made by frenchies...

Surfrippa,
Well I am not a tire tech but I do know that short of paddles, most tires should work well in sand. If you were in Mud or Snow I would think tread design would or should be critical. Sand clears out without issue, I know that alot of dune guys use paddles since then kick the sand away.

Most guys I know when stuck in sand, lower the tire pressure to get out. So if you use that methos, the larger tires will not work as they will rub as you lower the pressure.

Your quest is not an easy one. Are you getting stuck alot? Or want to feel comfortable about getting in and out of the sand. As you know Our Dually's are not the best for sand. The Long wheels base and significant weight cause them to sink.

Ive gotten stuck twice out of the 15+ times ive been out with the dually, id rather feel more comfortable, as for the deflating, thats what im avoiding, i deflate all six of my trailer tires and my 2 front tires but theres no way im deflating the dually tires, they are a ***** to get to... Thats why i want to get the AT BFG, on my 96 2500 i have 35 inch BFG AT, i cruise the dunes without deflating and i know that they do well in the sand they sort of float. I know that this wont happen on my dually with 4000 lb + tounge weight but im sure having all terrarins will help, now the onlyprblem is that i got to find some all terrains i can use on my dually.

Will this work, and does anybody have pics of this setup on a dually? ):h
here are a couple of pics
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/498000-498999/498786_23_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/498000-498999/498786_22_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/498000-498999/498786_24_full.jpg
Toyo Open Country 10 or 12 ply can't remember
235/85-16 on rear and 265/75-16 on front

Surfrippa,
Did a bit of calling around for you with my ATV dune running friends. I asked them what they used for tires since they go out alot. The input I got was really quite funny, All 3 of them laughed and said "Does not matter what tire you have, if you go far enough in, you will get stuck". All 3 also said they carry strips of plywood to put under back tires and military shovels :lol: . One of the guys is an avid dune guy and actually takes his Hummer out, he said that the key is a wider tire to increase actual area. Problem is with Dually's you cannot do that in the rear unless you space the rears. This maybe the way you need to go. Space rears and run 255's to increase actual tire width. He said BFG tires are good but he agreed with me that in dry sand, any AT tire is quite sufficient.

I am not sure you are going to make much head way on this. I completely understand the Dually rear tire deflation pain. After adding the Alcoa's and the longer fill valve stems that problem for me has been resolved but I remember the early days. You have interesting situation, You want stiff sidewall tires for towing the weight you have, then you want a soft sidewall tire when you get to the sand so you can lower the pressure.....The best of both worlds.....Hmmmmm

Good Luck

Jeff

I did find a super trail and goodyear in that size in a G rating. That gives you 3800 per tire when single. A wider tire on the front may do more good than widening your already wide rear.

Do you guys have any suggestions on any other tires, those michelins are not aggressive enough for me, and their made by frenchies...


I was looking at tires the other day with a friend for his car and we were looking at some BFG performance tires, when were asking about them the salesman showed us his paperwork on them they were made by Michelin.

I've used both Michelin and BFG's for my 86 GMC plow truck and both brands are excelent tires, BFG's are more aggressive, but I never had a problem of getting stuck with the Michelins. Just my .02.

Surfrippa,

Check out this thread for a setup by carhauler (with pics). He uses 245/75-16's which gives quite a bit more width which is good for flotation in the sand but overall tire diameter is the same as stock 215/85-16's. Of course the downside is that 2" spacers are required in the rear.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34462

...and their made by frenchies...

I am not trying to be a jackass, just pointing out some facts.

BFGoodrich is a Michelin company. Goodrich is an Aerospace company. BFGoodrich tires are made by Michelin. Goodrich sold the tire business to MNA (Michelin North America) over 10 years ago. http://www.goodrich.com/Discontinued

I am not trying to be a jackass, just pointing out some facts.

BFGoodrich is a Michelin company. Goodrich is an Aerospace company. BFGoodrich tires are made by Michelin. Goodrich sold the tire business to MNA (Michelin North America) over 10 years ago. http://www.goodrich.com/Discontinued
Looks like BFG lost a life long costomer??? Maybe

If you worry about where the parts are made, or at least where the profits wind up, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to check the "made in" label on your cab marker lites...:eek:

As long as its not made in iraq,afghan,north korea or in france its chill. :ro) I just like to try to keep it local somewhat.

235/85/16 BFG AT's....I suck at taking pictures

235/85/16 BFG AT's....I suck at taking pictures
And everybody said it couldnt be done, anyways do you have any problems with rubbing while towing or ANY other problems, if not im going to bite the bullet... Hey and dont give me any chit i know their french but i like bfgs ats

BTW your truck os sick

no rubbing at 65psi...Can go up to 80psi if needed. Pictures don't do it justice. Truck looks 100x better with real tires on it.

http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL280/1813970/7373101/96208630.jpg

I am running the 255's with wheel spacers. I was also worried about the spacers but when the arrived I was amazed at how heavy duty they are. After installing them I would say the steel wheel is a weaker point. As you can see I was not having any problems in the sand.

NODMAX...What kind of load do you put on those tires? Notice any gap problems on the rear tires?

If you are looking for A/T in LT 215 85/R16, I have had both Cooper Discoverer A/T and Toyo Open Country A/T.

The Toyo are the better tires of the two. More aggressive tread. Wearing OK so far.

The Coopers only lasted 30,000 miles before starting to get "circumferential cracks", which would have led to tread separation.

http://bigdooley.guthriefam.com/tires/index.html
i have alcoas so that might make a difference, but with 4000 in the bed they have about 1/8 of clearance. bfg a/t 235/85r16. now for the front i went to 265/75r16.... yes it works on a 4x4. ive been running them for over a year, in 2 and 4 wheel drive. all types of mud and other junk. front floats good with the 265

Thanks for the info Chevmeister. I have put the BFG A/T's on my trucks for the last ten years. I would love to put them on my dually, but all I've heard is they won't work on a dually. Some of you have proved that wrong.

How do they ride unloaded? I know on my 3/4 ton's, they made the truck ride a little more rigid due to the solid sidewalls.

Mine rides fine. Guess I didn't really notice a difference.

Mine rides fine. Guess I didn't really notice a difference.

Kewl...now all I need to decide is raised white letter or not.:ro)

Hey surfrippa. I feel your pain. I run the sand on the east coast and there is no way you'll get thru without airing down. I put 235 uniroyal laredos on my 03 GMC. They didn't touch at first but air em down a few times and stretch those sidewalls out and mine touch all the time. I pull a 16000# 5er, pin3200#,hitch400#,generator200#,plus coolers, firewood,etc,etc. I drop em to 10lbs on the sand and up to 80lbs for hiway. I drove 9900miles last summer on vacation in temps up to 118deg at 70 plus mph with no problems. Right now Im outside Nashville on my way back from Moab Utah, did about 6500mis so far and haven't had any problems. These are my real world numbers, hope they help you. I wouldnt be concerned about rubbing, I'm not. I have 42000mis on these tires now and I will change em when I get home, they,re getting alittle thin. Good Luck!! [I know ya try to stay true but if the isuzu on the valve cover isn't bad enough have you seen the Tokyo Radiator label under there????]