Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Best size tire with heaviest load range for 1989 F-350 SW

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-08-2009, 03:45 PM
richardfine's Avatar
richardfine
richardfine is offline
Mountain Pass
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Best size tire with heaviest load range for 1989 F-350 SW

I have a 12' camper to haul (about 2k lbs) and want to replace my aged tires.

I would like to get the best tire with the heaviest load range so I can haul safely.

The truck is a 1989 F-350 Crew Cab 4x4 460 engine w/5 speed stick. I believe gross weight is 9200 lbs.

Also plan on beefing up springs and/or adding bags.

Suggestions very much appreciated

Rick
 

Last edited by richardfine; 04-08-2009 at 04:41 PM. Reason: mistake in wording
  #2  
Old 04-08-2009, 05:32 PM
ArdWrknTrk's Avatar
ArdWrknTrk
ArdWrknTrk is offline
pedant

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EXTREME southwest CT
Posts: 23,576
Received 15 Likes on 15 Posts
Your truck won't even notice a 12' 2000lb trailer is behind it. (without -any- suspension changes)

The stock size -235/85 R16 Load range E- rated tires are more than enough.

As for "best" that is very subjective.
Tire noise, wet weather traction, highway tracking, cornering and tire life are all factors that don't necessarily point in the same direction.

If you were dragging around a 32' 20,000lb camper I'd be careful.
I've done that with my 250 without issue. (though I don't advocate it)
 
  #3  
Old 04-08-2009, 09:17 PM
richardfine's Avatar
richardfine
richardfine is offline
Mountain Pass
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Hello,

You are confusing "camper" with "trailer" ... a camper is what you put ON the truck, a trailer is what you tow...

That is why I'm asking for the highest load rated tire.. Michelin used to sell one rated around 3600 lbs or more, can't remember, but it was the highest rated.

Rick
 
  #4  
Old 04-08-2009, 09:24 PM
alxsnmr's Avatar
alxsnmr
alxsnmr is offline
Fleet Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St Louis
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Load Range E is pretty High, If you are unsure about load range look in tirerack.com as it list load ranges for tires and explains them. But the standard OEM tire size was the LT235/85R16 in a load range E. I really havent seen the tires in another load range except for C but that is more for a half ton not for a 3/4 or one ton. The best tire is one that stops fairly well in any condition, i.e. high ratings in all weather conditions but may not be the best for getting moving in snow, or mud. This is where tire rack helps because it lists the tires out for you to look at and pick what you think will work for you.
 
  #5  
Old 04-08-2009, 09:32 PM
richardfine's Avatar
richardfine
richardfine is offline
Mountain Pass
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
With the 2K pound camper, it would be maxing "average" E load range tires...I already know this...
That is why I'm asking...
Maybe someone that has knowledge about this can answer?


Rick
 
  #6  
Old 04-08-2009, 09:46 PM
6CylBill's Avatar
6CylBill
6CylBill is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Almost Heaven
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I don't have an answer. I just wanted you to get that little notification thingy in your e-mail so you'd come and look again. You sound sarcastic so I wanted to bug you.



 
  #7  
Old 04-08-2009, 10:16 PM
ArdWrknTrk's Avatar
ArdWrknTrk
ArdWrknTrk is offline
pedant

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EXTREME southwest CT
Posts: 23,576
Received 15 Likes on 15 Posts
I had a "slide in" that hung over the sides 1' and out the back 30" or more for 7 years.

My truck came with the 'towing package' that included a large rear sway bar and 4.10 gears.
I never had issue with the correct tire (as stated on the door jamb sticker) inflated to 75psi.
Sure it is a little top heavy, but body roll and carrying capacity were not a safety issue, in fact it never came close to the 'helper' springs.
(and this is a -250)
 
  #8  
Old 04-08-2009, 10:32 PM
MisterCMK's Avatar
MisterCMK
MisterCMK is offline
Fleet Owner
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Blue Hill Township
Posts: 24,705
Received 53 Likes on 43 Posts
An LT235/85/16 in the E range flavor is going to handle 3,042lbs. I would go with the Dueler Revos as I have had very good luck with them. The camper only weights 2,000lbs so I don't think you are going to have a problem at all.
 
  #9  
Old 04-09-2009, 12:35 AM
richardfine's Avatar
richardfine
richardfine is offline
Mountain Pass
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Cmon guys...
Obviously no one so far has a clue, and further more, I hope that I don't drive near some of you on the road, as there is not much of a thought process I have seen in any posts as of yet.

My truck wet, and with passengers is about 7,200 lbs., add 2,000 for camper, then a few couple hundred for gear, food ect. and lets just say we are at around 10,000 pounds... which is now 600 pounds over my load limit.

When calculating what the load on the rear tires are, with a camper, I would use 65% of the total load which would be 6,500 pounds.
Divide that total in half, which would be what each rear tire roughly will see, with "smooth" driving, no bumps, swag, or other rough pressures...each rear tire is seeing 3,250 pounds.

Now, add in potholes, rough terrain, etc. and you can see why I'm asking for heavy load rated tires.

It's sure funny how many people "assume" that because they are driving a truck, if it can "fit" it's safe...

Scary... very scary.. please, do some research on your own trucks, and be safe for all of us

Rick
 
  #10  
Old 04-09-2009, 12:38 AM
LCAM-01XA's Avatar
LCAM-01XA
LCAM-01XA is offline
Postmaster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,802
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
just so you know, an E-rated LT265/75-16 tire can handle way more load on it than an E-rated LT235/85-16 tire of the same make and model. Both sizes have the same outer diameter, so they will not affect your overall gear ratios like a larger tire will.
 
  #11  
Old 04-09-2009, 12:44 AM
richardfine's Avatar
richardfine
richardfine is offline
Mountain Pass
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
M.L.S.C., THANK YOU!

I now have something to work with... I will look up some tires at that size and see what I can find for load ranges...

Again, thank you!


Rick
 
  #12  
Old 04-09-2009, 01:15 AM
LCAM-01XA's Avatar
LCAM-01XA
LCAM-01XA is offline
Postmaster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,802
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Haha, well to throw some more oil in the fire - they make F-rated LT235/85-16 tires too, that's what you find on them big dual- and tri-axle heavy-duty flat-deck and car-hauler trailers. Not sure on F-rated 265/75-16s tho...
 
  #13  
Old 04-09-2009, 08:40 AM
alxsnmr's Avatar
alxsnmr
alxsnmr is offline
Fleet Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: St Louis
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Strangely enough tire rack would have helped you find your load ratings you were looking for in your tires. Information mining on the internet requires using your resources to find the information you desire, such as google, tirerack, et la. If you would have looked at the suggested web site you would have found your information rather than wanting people to give you the information by hand feeding you.
 
  #14  
Old 04-09-2009, 10:26 AM
guitarnik's Avatar
guitarnik
guitarnik is offline
Elder User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: foristell, missouri
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
a buddy of mine has a tonner and used to haul a 2000lb camper around all the time and he was real safety minded. anyway he alwyas bought cooper discoverer a/t in the LT295/85/17 he loves those tires and they seem to do well in all conditions.
 
  #15  
Old 04-09-2009, 11:42 AM
Old93junk's Avatar
Old93junk
Old93junk is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: McKenzie River
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 19 Posts
I run 235-85-16s load range E on my F-250 with 2,600lbs of 9 1/2ft Lance cabover camper in the bed.....................Never any problems, add 700lbs of gear, 4 people, 3- 100+lbs dogs.
 


Quick Reply: Best size tire with heaviest load range for 1989 F-350 SW



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:14 AM.