Since wheeling season is coming up fast (for the southwest) its time to take care of the tires on the tow rig..
I tried running Hercules E range tires and I won't do that again. Out of the 4 tires, 3 of them threw a belt and the 4th one crowns pretty bad on the top when I have enough air in them to carry the weight (even at 60psi)..
Some of the Truckhaven people from last October saw the mess those tires became..
What I can't decide on is tire size.. Do I keep the 265x75r16 or do I drop down to 245x75r16. My Rims are 8" wide so I can get away with either tire on the rims I have..
If I got with 265's I really only need 3 tires as I have 1 tire that is good (that I'll keep as a main tire) and I can buy matching size/brand/style.. Those would be Falkens and are somewhat wide for 265 tires.. It would run me just under $500 for those 3 tires and I would still have a pair of spares..
If I switch to 245's I would need to buy 4 tires which would run me from $520 to $580. I would then also need to pick up a couple used ones for spares BUT I could sell the 2 good 265 tires I have left so the spares wouldn't cost me anything..
Here is where I'm stuck.. Wider 265x75r16 tires can rub/hit the back of the front fender if I have the wheels turned and I hit a bump somewhat hard. Thinner (think Michelin street style) seem to fit fine. The Falken 265 sized tires are wider style so I do run the change of them hitting.. Its not the end of the world, just anoying..
I'm afraid the 245 tires may be somewhat thin and short and may not look right. On top of that I'm worried about gas mileage. I know.. what mileage..
With the 265 tires I get about 8mpg loaded (Van/Trailer/Explorer).. With the 245 tires I'm going to raise my RPMs AND I'm already driving at 60mph (actual speed) using the 265's. With the 245 being 1" shorter than the 265's I'm going to bring the RPMs up some.
With the 265x75r16 I'm @ 2350 RPMs at 60
With the 245x75r16 I'll be @ 2450 RPMs at 60.
Question:Will going up that 100 rpms actully change my mileage any? I'm leaning towards no, but I figure I'd ask..
Here are a few pics of the Van running 265 tires.
Question:What is your opinion on running a 1" shorter tire (and .75" narrower)
Wider 265's.
IMG_2565 by maniak_az, on Flickr
Narrow hercules 265's. These look more like 245 to me.. But the hercules tires seem to run narrow.
New-tires-on-the-van 009 by maniak_az, on Flickr
What it looks like with 265's when loaded for towing..
van with explorer & trailer - pre-tow1-10-2012 by maniak_az, on Flickr
I'd really appreciate some opinions. I'm thinking the 245's won't negativly affect the already non-existant gas mileage and will be big enough for the Van (won't hit but won't look too small).. The 245's may cost me a little more "now".. replacements over time will be cheaper..
BTW.. I'm trying to keep this cheap.. as I need to spend money on some upgrades for the X AND @ 8mpg loaded its not cheap heading to truckhaven.. At least I can carry enough fuel to get into CA, wheel and come back without buying fuel in Ca.
~Mark
Edit: It just occured to me.. the 245x75r16 tires will be lighter than the 265s (10lbs or so each is my best guess). I don't know if that will make a difference when I'm already 14k lbs total weight and running a 7.5L motor
I tried running Hercules E range tires and I won't do that again. Out of the 4 tires, 3 of them threw a belt and the 4th one crowns pretty bad on the top when I have enough air in them to carry the weight (even at 60psi)..
Some of the Truckhaven people from last October saw the mess those tires became..
What I can't decide on is tire size.. Do I keep the 265x75r16 or do I drop down to 245x75r16. My Rims are 8" wide so I can get away with either tire on the rims I have..
If I got with 265's I really only need 3 tires as I have 1 tire that is good (that I'll keep as a main tire) and I can buy matching size/brand/style.. Those would be Falkens and are somewhat wide for 265 tires.. It would run me just under $500 for those 3 tires and I would still have a pair of spares..
If I switch to 245's I would need to buy 4 tires which would run me from $520 to $580. I would then also need to pick up a couple used ones for spares BUT I could sell the 2 good 265 tires I have left so the spares wouldn't cost me anything..
Here is where I'm stuck.. Wider 265x75r16 tires can rub/hit the back of the front fender if I have the wheels turned and I hit a bump somewhat hard. Thinner (think Michelin street style) seem to fit fine. The Falken 265 sized tires are wider style so I do run the change of them hitting.. Its not the end of the world, just anoying..
I'm afraid the 245 tires may be somewhat thin and short and may not look right. On top of that I'm worried about gas mileage. I know.. what mileage..
With the 265 tires I get about 8mpg loaded (Van/Trailer/Explorer).. With the 245 tires I'm going to raise my RPMs AND I'm already driving at 60mph (actual speed) using the 265's. With the 245 being 1" shorter than the 265's I'm going to bring the RPMs up some.
With the 265x75r16 I'm @ 2350 RPMs at 60
With the 245x75r16 I'll be @ 2450 RPMs at 60.
Question:Will going up that 100 rpms actully change my mileage any? I'm leaning towards no, but I figure I'd ask..
Here are a few pics of the Van running 265 tires.
Question:What is your opinion on running a 1" shorter tire (and .75" narrower)
Wider 265's.
IMG_2565 by maniak_az, on Flickr
Narrow hercules 265's. These look more like 245 to me.. But the hercules tires seem to run narrow.
New-tires-on-the-van 009 by maniak_az, on Flickr
What it looks like with 265's when loaded for towing..
van with explorer & trailer - pre-tow1-10-2012 by maniak_az, on Flickr
I'd really appreciate some opinions. I'm thinking the 245's won't negativly affect the already non-existant gas mileage and will be big enough for the Van (won't hit but won't look too small).. The 245's may cost me a little more "now".. replacements over time will be cheaper..
BTW.. I'm trying to keep this cheap.. as I need to spend money on some upgrades for the X AND @ 8mpg loaded its not cheap heading to truckhaven.. At least I can carry enough fuel to get into CA, wheel and come back without buying fuel in Ca.
~Mark
Edit: It just occured to me.. the 245x75r16 tires will be lighter than the 265s (10lbs or so each is my best guess). I don't know if that will make a difference when I'm already 14k lbs total weight and running a 7.5L motor