Tire sizes for dually wheels - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CCCC · 09-13-2007, 11:33 PM

I have gradually acquired five 1 ton (ChevC30 and GM3500) trucks (all dually) and the tires sizes are varied to the point where I need some knowledge and advice. I need to buy a set of six, and would like to begin standardizing on the best size for these rigs. Two are chassis mount campers (heavy), one has a heavy welder mounted, one is a wrecker and one a flat bed (the lightest load factor).

One has size LT 7.50x16, another has LT215 85R 16, and another has 215 85R 16, and etc. Is there one size that is better for these trucks - if a person were going to try to get down to one size, what would be the best way to go?

Second question: On a on-ton GMC (1970) with single rear wheels and currently 16.5 in. wheels, what tires are the best for the 16,5 in. wheel, or would you reccomend going to 16 in. wheel?

All info and advice will be appreciated.

PDW

72freak · 09-14-2007, 05:15 AM

225-75-16 E...I run these...good overall size......Dont buy Cooper Tires in any size
215-85-16 E...work fine
235-85-16 E....big...but work

**special-K** · 09-14-2007, 05:35 AM

I like the 235/85s.They are closest to the bias 7.50x16s that came on these trucks,which were bias-ply.
I`ve run as small as 215/85s.

dwaite72lnghrn · 09-14-2007, 06:30 AM

I would look at your LT215x85x16 and see how much room is between to rear tires. You don't want to go to a tire size that makes them rub together under load. They will overheat and blow the sidewalls. GM dualleys run LT215x85x16 tires today.
Stick with LT tires as they have heavier sidewalls and will handle loads better in the long run.
There really is no good cheap 16.5 tires without going to 35" mudders. Convert to 16" for good cheap tires.

67_C-30 · 09-14-2007, 07:26 AM

I'm running 215/85's on both of my C-30's. I am thinking about stepping up to 235/85's on my dually pickup just because they have a bigger look.

Duel72 · 09-14-2007, 11:01 AM

Hey CCCC, do you think you could post a pic of your wreaker. I would love to see it. I want to do sort of a "rat rod wreaker" on my current C-20 Dually project and I need some bed ideas. I was just going to fab some stepside fenders onto a fleetside bed to have dually flares but that's kinda beyond my skill level.

67_C-30, is the pic in your avitar real or is it photoshopped? It's to small for me to see good. I looks like a fleetside bed with stepside fenders as dually flares? If it is real do you have a larger pic of it.

67_C-30 · 09-14-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duel72

Hey CCCC, do you think you could post a pic of your wreaker. I would love to see it. I want to do sort of a "rat rod wreaker" on my current C-20 Dually project and I need some bed ideas. I was just going to fab some stepside fenders onto a fleetside bed to have dually flares but that's kinda beyond my skill level.

67_C-30, is the pic in your avitar real or is it photoshopped? It's to small for me to see good. I looks like a fleetside bed with stepside fenders as dually flares? If it is real do you have a larger pic of it.

The pic in my avatar is a photoshop, but I have got the stepside fenders on the fleetside bed now. It was a 133" WB, and I cut 6" out the frame so I could use a LWB bed. I just got the bed done, and I don't have any pics of it yet with the outside wheel on it. Here is what I have so far.

Also, here is my build thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096

67_C-30 · 09-14-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duel72

I was just going to fab some stepside fenders onto a fleetside bed to have dually flares but that's kinda beyond my skill level.

That's what I thought also, but it was much easier than I thought. I just added pics of how I marked my fenders to fit the fleetside bed.

Here is a lot more of these trucks done this way.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=126946

Duel72 · 09-14-2007, 02:01 PM

Excellent Job 67_C-30!

I guess I give it a shot. It actually doesn't look that difficult.

CCCC · 09-14-2007, 05:10 PM

Hey - thanks to 72freak, special-K, dwaite72lnghrn, 67C30 and duel72. I needed this insight - now need to get figuring, buying and swapping some wheels/tires around according to loads. As requested, I will post a pic of the 70 wrecker as soon as I figure out hpow to do it - first time.

CCCC

CCCC · 09-14-2007, 05:56 PM

Here are two pics of the 1970 C30 wrecker. Love this truck, and it DOES come in handy out here. "67 C-30" - has the standard longest C30 wheel base been extended even further on that hauler? Did you do that makeover? If so, I may wish to chat.

CCCC
Attachment 299729

Attachment 299730

Duel72 · 09-14-2007, 06:13 PM

WOW! Diffinitely not what I thought it was going to look like. That thing is awesome.

Could you get a closer pic of the wreaker unit?

09-13-2007, 11:33 PM	#1
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 734	Tire sizes for dually wheels I have gradually acquired five 1 ton (ChevC30 and GM3500) trucks (all dually) and the tires sizes are varied to the point where I need some knowledge and advice. I need to buy a set of six, and would like to begin standardizing on the best size for these rigs. Two are chassis mount campers (heavy), one has a heavy welder mounted, one is a wrecker and one a flat bed (the lightest load factor). One has size LT 7.50x16, another has LT215 85R 16, and another has 215 85R 16, and etc. Is there one size that is better for these trucks - if a person were going to try to get down to one size, what would be the best way to go? Second question: On a on-ton GMC (1970) with single rear wheels and currently 16.5 in. wheels, what tires are the best for the 16,5 in. wheel, or would you reccomend going to 16 in. wheel? All info and advice will be appreciated. PDW __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp

09-14-2007, 05:15 AM	#2
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels 225-75-16 E...I run these...good overall size......Dont buy Cooper Tires in any size 215-85-16 E...work fine 235-85-16 E....big...but work __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere! Last edited by 72freak; 09-14-2007 at 05:20 AM.

09-14-2007, 05:35 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels I like the 235/85s.They are closest to the bias 7.50x16s that came on these trucks,which were bias-ply. I`ve run as small as 215/85s. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-14-2007, 06:30 AM	#4
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels I would look at your LT215x85x16 and see how much room is between to rear tires. You don't want to go to a tire size that makes them rub together under load. They will overheat and blow the sidewalls. GM dualleys run LT215x85x16 tires today. Stick with LT tires as they have heavier sidewalls and will handle loads better in the long run. There really is no good cheap 16.5 tires without going to 35" mudders. Convert to 16" for good cheap tires. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

09-14-2007, 07:26 AM	#5
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels I'm running 215/85's on both of my C-30's. I am thinking about stepping up to 235/85's on my dually pickup just because they have a bigger look. Attached Images __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

09-14-2007, 11:01 AM	#6
Duel72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 43	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels Hey CCCC, do you think you could post a pic of your wreaker. I would love to see it. I want to do sort of a "rat rod wreaker" on my current C-20 Dually project and I need some bed ideas. I was just going to fab some stepside fenders onto a fleetside bed to have dually flares but that's kinda beyond my skill level. 67_C-30, is the pic in your avitar real or is it photoshopped? It's to small for me to see good. I looks like a fleetside bed with stepside fenders as dually flares? If it is real do you have a larger pic of it.

09-14-2007, 02:01 PM	#9
Duel72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 43	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels Excellent Job 67_C-30! I guess I give it a shot. It actually doesn't look that difficult.

09-14-2007, 05:10 PM	#10
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 734	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels Hey - thanks to 72freak, special-K, dwaite72lnghrn, 67C30 and duel72. I needed this insight - now need to get figuring, buying and swapping some wheels/tires around according to loads. As requested, I will post a pic of the 70 wrecker as soon as I figure out hpow to do it - first time. CCCC __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp

09-14-2007, 05:56 PM	#11
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 734	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels Here are two pics of the 1970 C30 wrecker. Love this truck, and it DOES come in handy out here. "67 C-30" - has the standard longest C30 wheel base been extended even further on that hauler? Did you do that makeover? If so, I may wish to chat. CCCC Attachment 299729 Attachment 299730 __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp Last edited by CCCC; 05-11-2010 at 12:21 AM.

09-14-2007, 06:13 PM	#12
Duel72 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 43	Re: Tire sizes for dually wheels WOW! Diffinitely not what I thought it was going to look like. That thing is awesome. Could you get a closer pic of the wreaker unit?

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