FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)

TIRES

1. What is the expected tire mileage of 19.5" Commercial tires?

Commercial-duty truck tires are much more durable than 16" Light Truck (LT) tires. They run much cooler and use different rubber compounds and therefore last much longer. They are constructed the same way as a tractor-trailer tire and those trucks get considerable mileage out of their tires. With 19.5" commercial tires, you can generally expect to get 2-4 times more mileage than you will get out of 16"s, and often much more. As with any tire, regular rotation, proper air pressure, and a properly aligned front and rear end are essential to getting the maximum wear out of the tires. Driving style, driving conditions, tread pattern, proper match mounting and balancing, engine enhancements, and the condition of your shock absorbers will all contribute greatly to the longevity of the tire.

2. Are the commercial tires radials?

Yes, these are modern, tubeless tires with all-steel radial construction and are designed to have less rolling resistance than light truck and passenger tires for improved fuel economy.

3. What tire manufacturer and tread pattern do you recommend?

There's no one best choice when it comes to tires. The FIRST step is to decide what size 19.5" tire you need (we offer 5 different sizes) because all tread patterns aren't available in all sizes. We then like to determine how you use your truck and what you're looking to get out of your tires and help you determine the best tire for your application.

4. What size 19.5" tire do you recommend?

Based upon our experience, we always recommend going with the 225/70R19.5 size tire. It's lighter and the narrower footprint increases the pounds per square inch on the contact patch. The 225s must be used on most 2WD trucks and most GM trucks. That is the same size that comes on the 99-up F-450/550 chassis and is available in load range F and, just introduced, in load range G by several manufacturers. The 225/70R19.5 is the same diameter as either a 235/85R16, or a 265/75R16 and thus will not affect bed height, gearing, or the speedometer. The larger sizes will fill the wheel well more, provide more flotation (i.e., wider), or will reduce the final gearing if that is your objective.

19.5" Tires are widely used in commercial applications and are readily available through truck tire centers.

6. What is the warranty and can these tires be re-treaded and/or re-grooved?

In the commercial trucking industry, re-treading/re-grooving is the norm and these tires are designed to be re-treaded/re-grooved. The cost of re-treading is usually about $50-75/tire and a wide variety of tread patterns are available. These tires are guaranteed against defects down to 2/32" and are also guaranteed to accept a retread, usually at least two times and in many cases three. Stick with a reputable re-treading process such as Oliver, Bandag, Michelin, or Goodyear.

7. Will my truck ride harsher with 19.5” commercial tires?

With our renowned match mounting and balancing techniques and state of the art equipment, 19.5" commercial tires ride excellent on pickup trucks. Many trucks will actually ride better on 19.5's than on 16" tires. On some trucks the ride will be very slightly harsher on certain bumps, but not objectionable. The 225/70R19.5 size rides and handles the best of all the tires. Most ride problems can be remedied with high quality shocks, as the shocks that the OEM's install are generally inferior, even with 16" tires.

If you have additional questions that are not answered here, please contact us.