1 1/2'' spacers may be too small. A buddy is runnig them with the 285/75 and his tires are real close together. Id rather have the 2'' for a little xtra spacing.

Especially for the sand. Glamis and Pismo (california) sometimes require airing down the tires.

Ill be getting the 2'' when I level the truck and get new tires - 285/75/16

 

hi,
i just bought a 95 3500 sierra dually and i am ignorant about dually's (duallies?) the truck currently has 225 75 16 tires on it and i have 4 265 75 16 snow tires (not 10 ply) that i would like to put on for the winter.
i realize that the wider the tire there would be a need for a spacer between the wheels to keep them separated. as i haven't removed any wheels yet on the truck, is there a spacer already there? would i need a spacer for the 265's.
also, i can't check the air pressure in the tires. can anybody suggest a good tire valve extension?
thanks,
steve

 

P run 245/75/16 (same diameter as stock), with "freds spacers" 2 inch spacer. The 245's barely kissed at the bottom unloaded without the spacer.

 

I run 285's with 1.5" spacers with no problems at all.
I also tow at max weight all the time.

 

I kinda like 285"s but I also like 255"s. We're running 255"s on our 04 without issue. Seems to be 1/2" or better between them. With 285"s we run a 2" Freds spacer

 

265/70R19.5

</troll>

 

235 85 r16

Just put on a set of Firestone Transforce AT 235 85 r16. Was worried about rub but my tire guy assured me they will fit. Just hooked up the trailer and it loads the truck pretty good. Even so on stock wheels with no spacers I have about 3/8" at the buldge with 65psi . The truck sits much nicer especially up front. My old 215 wranglers always looked over loaded.

 

Just put on a set of Firestone Transforce AT 235 85 r16. Was worried about rub but my tire guy assured me they will fit. Just hooked up the trailer and it loads the truck pretty good. Even so on stock wheels with no spacers I have about 3/8" at the buldge with 65psi . The truck sits much nicer especially up front. My old 215 wranglers always looked over loaded.

Any issues with these and no spacer? I've started to look for new tires. I like the Firestone Transforce ATs and have been debating on whether to go with the stock 215/85-16 or bump to a 235/85-16. Thanks.

 

No spacer

I haven't had them on that long. No problems, they have never touched with any load I have had on them, never seen anything get stuck between them. They are 32 inches tall (stock is 31.6)so when the speedo reads 95 you are actually going 100. A programmer can fix that if you like. You do feel a slight change in the power at take off, due to the taller tire the truck is geared a little higher. This is an advantage on the highway especially if you don't have the sixth gear. The truck feels so much better up front, it steers easier when manovering while parking. I had a 9.5 foot fisher V blade on my 02 dually and those front tires looked ready to pop. I wish I made this upsize on that truck while I had it. The rear tires are closer than stock. Some brands of tire may be a litte wider than others in the same size, so I can see why some choose to run spacers. I don't think I would be comfortable running them any closer. In the picture I posted the truck is loaded to the point where the top leaf is sitting on it's supports. Ultimately we all have unique applications for our trucks, terrain, loads, accessories, travel distance all play a role in how we configure our trucks. In my case this upsize was a perfect fit. Also not that it matters it looks a whole lot better.

 

I haven't had them on that long. No problems, they have never touched with any load I have had on them, never seen anything get stuck between them. They are 32 inches tall (stock is 31.6)so when the speedo reads 95 you are actually going 100. A programmer can fix that if you like. You do feel a slight change in the power at take off, due to the taller tire the truck is geared a little higher. This is an advantage on the highway especially if you don't have the sixth gear. The truck feels so much better up front, it steers easier when manovering while parking. I had a 9.5 foot fisher V blade on my 02 dually and those front tires looked ready to pop. I wish I made this upsize on that truck while I had it. The rear tires are closer than stock. Some brands of tire may be a litte wider than others in the same size, so I can see why some choose to run spacers. I don't think I would be comfortable running them any closer. In the picture I posted the truck is loaded to the point where the top leaf is sitting on it's supports. Ultimately we all have unique applications for our trucks, terrain, loads, accessories, travel distance all play a role in how we configure our trucks. In my case this upsize was a perfect fit. Also not that it matters it looks a whole lot better.

Thanks for the reply! I like the Transforce ATs, so I'd be going with the same tire. Fully understand about different manu's have slightly different sizes...in the same size tire.

For reference, what was the load (weight wise) on in the pic you posted?

I sometimes tow a 14,000lbs fully loaded trailer, and deff wouldnt want any rubbing during that.

 

Really depends on what you use the truck for and where.

You have to balance off-road prowess, towing capability, mileage, tire durability, and appearance before deciding what the best tire is for you.

 

Really depends on what you use the truck for and where.

You have to balance off-road prowess, towing capability, mileage, tire durability, and appearance before deciding what the best tire is for you.

Agreed. I use my dually to tow my jeep/trailer. Sometimes two jeeps on the trailer. Since the NorthEast does not have any public land to wheel on, I go to a lot of offroad parks. This means there's highway driving, backroad driving and horrible logging roads (if you're lucky) to drive on.

My truck currently has a set of BFG Comm's on it. They seem to run a bit small for the 215/85-16 size. BFG says they're 29.9".

I'd like a slightly taller tire to bring my RPMs down at 70, which is roughly at 1900rpm. Seems a bit high on the highway with a 6spd trans IMO.

so....requirements being....slightly taller tire and AT or aggressive enough to drive/tow on crappy unpaved (perhaps snow covered) roads.


The 235/85-16 Firestone Transforce AT seems to fit those requirements.

 

No other recommendations or tips?

 

I have had the 235 on for 2 weeks and finally had a chance to try them on a loaded with trailer trip that I have made many times before with the 215 tires. The way they feel on the highway is much nicer, the ride is much better. The larger diameter however does make the truck feel like it is lugging, I use my truck for work and it has a trailer on it most of the time. I am concerned about how the taller tires will affect the drivetrain and economy. My tire shop told me I could try these for 30 days and I wasn't happy I could change them to stock. I am so torn about these tires. I love the ride, they support the truck way nicer, they look amazing. On the other hand they make the truck lug, and I will always be concerned about them touching on pot holes and how that will stress the sidewalks. Braking is another concern some have mentioned, I can't say that I notice much difference there, braking still was good. I have never heard of a failure from guys running this size tire. I have a feeling I may go back to my stock size to restore the tire to gear ratio that the truck was programmed for.
If I didn't always have 4 tons behind me I would keep the 235's. The truck should have been designed with tis size in mind.

 

Four tons is nothing for your truck with 235's-
If you like the tires keep them- your truck will last just as long with 235's versus the smaller pizza cutters they come with.

 

I have run 235 85r 16 BFG comm t/a tires for over 80k without spacers loaded with my goosneck trailer and bobcat. The tires do touch together once in a while but has never been a problem.

 

You should never run any size tire or wheel that is not factory !! Just kidding! I ran 245/70 /16 Mich LTX MS for a lot of miles with Freds 2" spacers and was really happy with the look/wear/handling, just a bit wide in the back end caused a little sand pitting on the fenders.

 

245's with 2" spacers

This shows how wide it was with the 2'spacers and 245's

 

If you are going to use the truck for what it is made for - 11-12000GVW minimum and 24000# towing, use 225/70R19.5 or larger. They look better on the truck too. I run Bridgestones. 75000 to 85000 mile life!

If you aren't carrying that much weight, sell it and buy a SRW. The DRW is too expensive to run and maintain, and you don't need four tires back there!

 

I ran 285/75/17 on my LMM with Freds 1 1/2 spacers loved the look and never had any rubbing issues and hauled over 20k a few times. only thing that suck was trimming your factory studs.

Now I run American Force 24's on my current dually with adapters and they still ride great.

 

do you have any pictures of it?

 

OEM...they will carry the load for which the truck is rated...so why change?

 

Will they really, in your experience, carry the load the truck is rated for?

I have found out through my experience, running rated loads at highway speeds that they will not (with Goodyear tires). That is why I changed. And I am glad I did.

The older 3500HD (made in 2000 and prior) had 19.5 tires by the way!

 

+1. I'm with dealmstr on the 19.5's. Best tire size for a Duramax dually.
I'm running 245/70/19.5's on my LMM with a very thin 1/4" spacer in rear just for insurance when fully loaded.
Many tire options available when it comes time for replacement: LRF & G. 225/70 will also work but look skinny imho

 

im thinking of putting 285-75-16 on my 2006 gmc 3500 dually with 2" wheel spacers. im also putting in a 2" leving kit. did any one out there have any issues with this when they done it to there truck
thank you

 

I did 285's with 1-1/2" spacers.

 

I got 245 75 17 with nitto g2 on my dually .And no spacers.
It looks good

 

wheel spacers

i am tinking on installing 2" wheel spacers on my gmc dually (when i up grage to a larger tire 285/75-16), i noticed that alot of people are using freds wheel spacers. how come people are not using the cheaper aluminium spacers

 

i noticed that alot of people are using freds wheel spacers. how come people are not using the cheaper aluminium spacers

Quality, reliability & safety were a few reasons why I chose Fred's spacers.
Also great customer service on the phone.

 

Been running Toyo Open Country AT for 45k never rotated and time for a new set. Handle and ride great. Does well in dunes like Pismo, Sand Mtn, Dumont as well as snow up here in Montana now.
Tow heavy trailer for about 30k of that and lots of 2k Rock loads in bed.
Fred's 2" spacers are the only way to go and tire is just ever so slightly past fender.
Normally run fronts at 72psi and rears at 50 psi for even wear driving daily unloaded

 

What size are you running demp223