Need Info on Tires
08-08-2006, 09:36 AM
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Need Info on Tires
Hi all....I have seen lots of posts on Wheels and Tires and the sizes and such...I am by no means a mechanic so I am wondering about a few things. I see alot of talk about backspacing and changing your speedometer and what not....can someone please give an explanation of what all this means. Thanks in advance to any and all who contribute to ending my ignorance.... 
08-08-2006, 09:45 AM
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Check out this diagram for an explanation of different wheel measurements:
When you change the overall diameter of your tires it affects the speedometer and odometer readings. Going up in diameter causes them to read low, and going down causes them to read high. The dealer can correct this to a point by reprogramming the vehicles computer.
When you change the overall diameter of your tires it affects the speedometer and odometer readings. Going up in diameter causes them to read low, and going down causes them to read high. The dealer can correct this to a point by reprogramming the vehicles computer.
08-08-2006, 09:47 AM
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Back spacing is the distance from the wheel mounting surface to the inside edge of the wheel, basically how far in/out the wheel is.
Going with larger tires will reduce rpms, throwing off the speedo...
Going with larger tires will reduce rpms, throwing off the speedo...
08-08-2006, 09:52 AM
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The more backspacing the wheel has, the more it will sit inside the fenderwell. The less backspacing a wheel has, the more it will stick outside of the fenderwell.
08-08-2006, 10:03 AM
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Backspacing also affects how the wheel bearings are loaded. Generally, you want to keep the wheel centered with repsect to the bearings. If you space the wheel more inner v. outer or viceversa, you wind up with uneven bearing loading and in extreme cases, premature bearing wear-out or even failure!
HTH
Tony
HTH
Tony
08-08-2006, 10:08 AM
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Dang, there's alot of stuff to know. I tow a fifth wheel (11,000 lbs) and was thinking of changing at least the tires, but would like to get something really heavy duty and bigger. I hate how much of the wheel well shows, so I was thinking of getting bigger wheels as well. I had seen somewhere on here that someone had put on tires that were commercial grade, I think they were 19.5 or something like that. Any suggestions?
08-08-2006, 10:11 AM
#7
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There's a couple threads talking about the 19.5" rims with higher load range tires. The consensus seems to be that if you tow 70% to ALL the time, it's worth the money. Anything less than that, and it wouldn't be worht it!
What you gain is stability and tire longevity with weight on the truck. Empty, you won't see much difference.
on edit: You'll drop $4k-$5k on them!!!!!!!!!!!
HTH
Tony
What you gain is stability and tire longevity with weight on the truck. Empty, you won't see much difference.
on edit: You'll drop $4k-$5k on them!!!!!!!!!!!
HTH
Tony
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