Tires

[gaiaenviro]

I know this has been discussed previously, but if like to solicit opinions. We had a front blowout on our last trip and wound up with 2 load range g metric tires on the front. I need to replace the back tires, and think I'm between Kumho KRS03 and Hankook AH11. Load range g metrics. Opinions/experience? Thanks!


-Bill
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[Waipio Rim]

We just got a good price on a couple of Hankook metrics from a Les Schwab dealer in Montana, $460 and change mounted and balanced. Had them installed with our fancy new Centramatics courtesy of Peter H, and they performed fine on a drive to Salt Lake.

[Isuzusweet]

The one thing I recall with the metrics on the dually was adequate tire clearance between the two tires. The 8R is a tall stiff tire versus the metric version which will give you a softer, more suple ride, but if the two tires get too close or end up touching due to not being properly inflated, the resulting heat build up will lead to blow outs.
Also the metrics are not as tall as the 8R and your RPM's will climb by a few hundred rpm at any given speed. You haven't noticed this at the front obviously.

Cheers
Tony

[mayco]

I had Hankook AH11s installed 3 years ago. We have put 5000+ miles on them with no problems. We had them bead balanced.

Mike

[gaiaenviro]

Ok, just to bump this to the top, I'm buying tires this week, and feeling lost with regards as to which to buy? Anyone have opinions on any tires period? I have hercules H-803's (metric) Load range G on the front with Centramatics, and the ride is infinitely better than the load range F 8R19.5's previously installed. I know the new rears will be a great improvement regardless, but would like to hear about favorites. We use the rig a lot (about 12K miles per year) and go on 6-10 hour trips routinely so smooth and worry free is ideal. Thanks for your input!

[bobmiller1]

OK, I'll throw my 2 cents in.....if Michelin still made them, they'de be on, but seeing as they don't, went with the Goodyears, I don't want to worry about tire blowouts,or blems for that matter so I guess it's a name brand thing for me. Why save money or be cheap on one of the most important things on your rig and for that matter the only thing that is touching the ground.....hopefully. Regards, Bob

[Boom Sounds]

Not sure of your precise set up, but I can confirm that 235/85 R16s kiss on the duallies. It was close and I drove without issues, but eventually too close and I could see the rub marks, so I switched to narrower tires.


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[gaiaenviro]

Thanks! The Hercules were a function of a blowout in Iraan, TX and no options. The higher load range resulted in less front end bounce. On the rear I have 3 9 year old good years on one side that look great, and 3 various 12 year old sketchy no names on the other. I could stick to 8 r 19.5 on the rear and get 2 new front ones later, or switch to metric. I'm really impressed by the Hercules, even though they would not have been a brand I would have chosen, so now the dilemma.....


-Bill
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[gaiaenviro]

Ended up with 6 load range g metrics. They performed great on this weekends 500 mile round trip, great ride, Moho seemed much peppier if that's somehow possible. Kept finding myself having to let off the throttle to slow down. Haven't refueled to check mileage, but typically fill up before each leg of this trip, and ran the whole thing on one tank this time.....


-Bill
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[gaiaenviro]

Mileage up 1 mpg over historical on last trip. Today, not so much with the fuel pump problems, but will see tomorrow and next week in the return trip. Still liking the tires a lot....


-Bill
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[mehes]

With your 1 MPG increase did you take into account the different tire diameter? I believe the metric tires are slightly smaller, therefore more revs per mile that your original 8R19.5's.


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[mayco]

Had to burst that math bubble didnt ya!

[gaiaenviro]

After the recalculation I'm actually getting 19.8 mpg! Amazing! Just kidding and being a smart Alec, the gas mileage on the last trip got thrown out the window on this one, so we'll see on the way home, but the tires do ride better....


-Bill
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[Tireman9]

I am curious. How does changing tire brand solve air leak problems that result in tire Run Low Flex Failures i.e. "Blowouts".

Sorry if the above seems a bit sarcastic.

[mehes]

Tireman9, I don't want to speak for the original poster but as I read post 8 I understand a blowout in a remote area of Texas left him with few choices for replacement tires. He got two Hercules tires on the front to continue his trip. He then asked for opinions on what to do for replacing the remaining aged tires. I didn't read anything more about the blowout other than causing him to replace a tire.


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[gaiaenviro]

Thanks guys for your opinions, mehes interestingly enough my speedometer is off by 5 mph (radar checked all over the state of NM and consistently 5 mph) so now to recalculate mileage (or probably not). I think I'm going to calculate parts cost/mile driven and factor fuel as a non issue...😜


-Bill
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[Alluminati]

Different brands and models and treads of tires have different roll resistance. This could have significantly more effect on MPG than the size of the tire.

I'm no expert on tires, but I sho 'nuff know how to read customer reviews!

Tire Rack has b'zillions of reviews on hundreds of tires. http://www.tirerack.com/content/tire.../homepage.html

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by mehes

Tireman9, I don't want to speak for the original poster but as I read post 8 I understand a blowout in a remote area of Texas left him with few choices for replacement tires. He got two Hercules tires on the front to continue his trip. He then asked for opinions on what to do for replacing the remaining aged tires. I didn't read anything more about the blowout other than causing him to replace a tire.


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You're right. My bad.