OT 2001 CHEVY TRUCK TIRES

cannonball · Oct 18, 2009

Have a 2001 one ton duel wheel that has 215 85 16 tires on it, truck has about 42000 miles and on its 2 set of tires on back and third in front, cooper tires. The front end got out of line is the reason for front tires, but back tires are not lasting. Can I change the size of tires to 235 85 16 and still be legal with the D O T or will it be problems..Want to put XPS MICHELINS on it. Ran those tires on a company truck (one ton) carrying 13,500 lbs and got 35 plus thousand miles from them, this truck is just a one ton extended cab with gooseneck flatbed...any opinions, thanks

MAY GOD BLESS THE USA

DickL · Oct 18, 2009

Dont know the numbers but had Michelin load level E tires on my 350 Ford and had close to 60,000 miles on them. When I put new tires on they didn't have the E load tires in stock and was told that the D level would do as good with less cost. Not true. The D load level did not get any where near the 60,000 miles. The lesser cost tire actually cost me more in the long run.

ericlb · Oct 18, 2009

for my opinion those 215's are too small for a truck thats doing anything but going to the grocery store and a city job,im running 245's on a 1 ton dually they are shorter than the 235's and while it does slow the truck about 5mph acording to the radar, it gives slightly more bottom end grunt for when starting up with a heavy load, the only thing here is i have to keep 80 lb of air in then or they will rub in the center, this truck works for a living, and have never had a tire fail from too much load you'll like those michilins, i ran a set of those in 235 size before the ones it has now, got about 52 thousand out of them

Uncle Ernie · Oct 18, 2009

As long as the load ratings are the same or greater I would think you would have no problems. Speedo will be off slightly.
You can check out the size difference on the link below.
Tire size Comparator

jose bagge · Oct 18, 2009

the 235s will be no problem at all- higher load capacity, a little taller, but a great fitment for the truck. make sure you change all 4 on the rear at the same time...you can run your best 215s on the front for a bit if necessary, but swap all 6 to 235s when you have the chance.

the xps is a great tire, but you will find more stores "in stock" with LTX

rustyfarmall · Oct 18, 2009

I've got the same truck and the original Goodyear Wranglers were good for 52,000 miles. Probably could have got another 10,000 miles out of them but I just don't like to run car or truck tires right up to the point where they start falling apart. I replaced those tires with Firestone transForce.

If you have 4 wheel drive, the front tires need to be the same size as the rear tires, and the reason that the truck has the 215/85-R16 tires is that on a dual wheel set-up, if one tire goes flat, the sidewall won't be rubbing up against the sidewall of the remaining GOOD tire, and damage it as well.

Jeff in TX · Oct 18, 2009

Either change to the 235 or 245, but go with the firestone transforce.

Hurst · Oct 18, 2009

Just an idea for the rubbing problem that you may see from going wider with the tires on the rear duals, why not fit a spacer between the two rims to spread them apart a bit more. Seems most trucks have ample room under the fenders to stick the outside wheel out just a little further. We have a horsevan with those tires and get 40-50,000 miles out of cheaper tires at the minimum, and that's not really easy on tires.

Hurst

Anonymous-0 · Oct 18, 2009

You didnt say what style Cooper tire you are running, some are better than others. We ran a milage and load comparison between Cooper, Goodyear and Michlin. The Cooper and Goodyear ran 50000 miles, the Michlins ran 80000 miles. This was on the highway. As long as the load rating on the side of the replacement tires is the same as your tag on the pickup, DOT will be no problem. Just watch the clearance between the duals, if they touch under load you will have trouble.

cannonball · Oct 18, 2009

Thanks for the reply's, I want to go to larger size and the xps are all steel tires and stand up good..that helps with tire rubbing. I have a 1986 that had small tires on it and changed to 235's the xps stood up with 12 to 14 thousand lbs on it all the time... Thanks again

MAY GOD BLESS THE USA

Anonymous-0 · Oct 18, 2009

the only problem with going to a size larger tire is the distance between the tires is reduced and if loaded to a max load maybe half load the tires will touch and in doing so will cause excessive heat and a blowout but it's your dime so spend it.

OT 2001 CHEVY TRUCK TIRES

cannonball

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DickL

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ericlb

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Uncle Ernie

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jose bagge

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rustyfarmall

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Jeff in TX

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Hurst

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Anonymous-0

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cannonball

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Anonymous-0

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