Tires underated????

[sonofagun]

I recently bought a 5th wheel and checked out the tire capacity on my 2001 2500HD. The Firesto*** are rated at 2778# each. This times 2 = 5556# versus the rear axle capacity of 6050#. Interesting that GM would sell tires not rated to carry the axle rating load. The newer tires (Firesto**) are rated to carry the full axle capacity. I don't know if this is a big enough deal to be a safety related issue or not and I am going to buy new Michelins anyhoo but if you are loading your '01 rear axle to capacity check your tires!

Overloaded tires and an accident with damages... who pays GM, your insurance co. or you? All this even if you thought you were in line with GMs axle rating??!!

Food for thought. Gettin' new tires before I haul again. By the way, I called GM customer assistance and got nice people who provided absolutely ZERO help. I think I'll drop a line to the DOT just for the heck of it.

Be safe out there,

Bob

[mackin]

=>I called GM customer assistance and got nice people who provided absolutely ZERO help.

GM will be happy .....Their doing there job correctly......


WOW !!!!!! You would think GM wouldn't follow the way of FORD .....Take a look at FORDS bottom line today...... :eek: That Firestone fiascal played a part in it......

You should persue it ...... Call the NHTSA......
=>http://www.nhtsa.gov/ They have a special area just on tires.....

MAC

[DmaxMaverick]

Check your window sticker. I think you'll find 245/75/16E listed. There were several customers that had the trucks delivered with the wrong tires. Being that the '01 2500 trucks (non HD) have a lower rear axle rating and are OK with the lower rated tires, the wrong tires have been installed on the HD's on occasion. The other possibility is that your wheels/tires were switched with another customer's before you bought it. Some dealers do it all the time, and get away with it too often.

If you have a 2500HD, the ONLY tires it should have is the 245/75/16E. Go to the dealer and insist they install the correct tires. Don't let them try to pro-rate you for the wear you have. There is a bulletin on it. Even if you never use the new tires on your truck, you'll get a real nice set of HD trailer tires, or a decent trade in on the tires of your choice. Search the past posts. IIRC, this was covered pretty well.

Good luck.

[sonofagun]

DmaxMaverick,

Do you have any iformation on the bulletin on this tire issue? I do have the 245/75/16Es by the way they just carry 2778#.

Thanks,

Bob

[ 11-06-2002: Message edited by: son of a gun ]</p>

[JimWilson]

The stock Fartstones are rated at a hair over 3000 (3050, IIRC). Where did you get 2778 from?

[sonofagun]

That's the load rating on the tire sidewall. The newer trucks have the 3050# rating. Can't explain the reasons but I can't be the only guy with tires rated at 2778#.

Bob

[SoMnDMAX]

Dumb question here, but are you reading the tires right? 3050# or so should be the "single" weight rating, and 2778# is most likely the "dual" weight rating.

Tires are always rated lower in "dual" applications. In your application, the "single" weight rating would apply.

[ 11-06-2002: Message edited by: SoMnDMAX ]</p>

[sonofagun]

SoMn,


Hum.............. I'll go check that.

Thanks,
Bob

[DmaxMaverick]

Any 245/75/16E tire is rated at 3042 #'s. The USDOT sets the standard. The 2778 number is for duals.

[sonofagun]

Dmax, SoMn,

Right you both are. I read the rating in the garage in low light (good excuse :D ?). But they are clearly marked with two ratings, one for duals. I wasn't even thinking duals....... duh!!!
Feel better anyhow. Still gona buy the Michelins but less displeased with the General.

Thanks all,

Bob