3500 wheels? One more time before $$$$$

[kburati]

Before I blow a ton of money on either a new truck and camper I need to ask one more time about wheel options for the 3500 DRW.

My issue is that I carry a truck camper and would like to camp with my friends down on the National Seashore. This poses two problems for me:

1. Minimum front tire size my be 245 and you must carry exact match spare for all wheels. Could put 245/75R16 up front but I'll need to go with 8 wheels/tires since a rear spare and front spare would be needed.

2. Even if I do number one, my truck loaded with my camper with the tires at 80psi leave about 1/3 of an inch between the dually tires. Since you have to air down on the beach I'd not only have a rub issue but they wouldn't air down properly.

The only other option I've identified with my current truck is to upgrade to Rickson or Vision 19.5" wheels with 245 tires. This isn't the best setup since tires in this class are actually Load Range F or G so they don't air down as well as LRE tires on 16" wheels but they give plenty of space between the rear duallies and I could run all 6 the same size. This is almost a $5k upgrade though.

Is there absolutely no other options? I've heard that the Alcoa wheels have the same offset as the GM OEM. Will Dodge DRW wheels not work? I know they're interchangable on SRW trucks.

My last option is to sell both camper and truck and get a much smaller camper that will fit on a GMC 2500HD SRW. Tried to convince myself that a Ford F350 SRW was an option for me but after reading about the 6.0 Powerstroke I gave up on that.

[Heartbeat Hauler]

I'm not really sure what you're talkin' about, but what I think you're saying is that you have a 3500 dually in which you want to go to a certain campsite that requires a minimum tire size of 245. Also, because you're moving through sand you need to air down the tires for traction purposes. Assuming this is correct, why not just use 245/75/16s on stock wheels front and rear? You are correct in assuming the clearance would be nill between the duals, but a pair of 2" aluminum wheel spacers from Fred Goeske would fix that problem, even if you had to air down the tires. Doing this would mean only one spare is needed....unless there is a two spare minimum. And, as cool as 19.5" tires and wheels are, especially in the 245 size, it is a lot of expense just to go to a favorite camp site. I would definitely rethink the 245s on 19.5" wheels unless you are just looking for a reason to buy them. Look at the wheel spacers here--> http://www.wheeladapter.com/
JP

[kburati]

I thought I read on this forum that modern DRW wheels are hub centered and as a result no weight is actually carried on the lugs. Wouldn't a spacer change that fact for the outer wheel?

Seeing how close 215/85/R16 tires are unloaded I can't imagine fitting a 245/75R16 on my truck stock, maybe the front but not the rear.

[MIKE WIENER]

There are rims avaluble that are wider. I have seen several newer 3500 with them. Had a 78 dully with them. Try a local four wheel drive shop. If not try on line like four wheel parts supplyers.

Mike

[MikeT]

My brother has a 01 GMC dually and he still has the original book that he got in the showroom when he was shopping. The book shows that your truck originally had 245/75/16 tires on the front and rear. It doesn't even show an option for another size. How did you end up with 215/85/16s? Are you still running the original rims?

[DmaxMaverick]

My brother has a 01 GMC dually and he still has the original book that he got in the showroom when he was shopping. The book shows that your truck originally had 245/75/16 tires on the front and rear. It doesn't even show an option for another size. How did you end up with 215/85/16s? Are you still running the original rims?

No duallies came with 245's. All were/are 215's. The 2500's and HD's (even the 1500HD's) are all OEM with 245's. The newer 3500SRW's come with 265's.

[Dave]

My brother has a 01 GMC dually and he still has the original book that he got in the showroom when he was shopping. The book shows that your truck originally had 245/75/16 tires on the front and rear. It doesn't even show an option for another size. How did you end up with 215/85/16s? Are you still running the original rims?


In 1996, 2001, 2005, and 2006 there were no optional tire sizes on a DRW GM truck. The only sized available was a 215/85/16. I know as I ordered a new truck each one of those years. That has always been my biggest complaint with the GM DRW trucks.

[Heartbeat Hauler]

...The only sized available was a 215/85/16. I know as I ordered a new truck each one of those years. That has always been my biggest complaint with the GM DRW trucks.
Same here. My 2001 3500 (bought new) came with the 215s and no optional tire size available. I believe there was a choice as to tread type, off-road vs. All-season.



I thought I read on this forum that modern DRW wheels are hub centered and as a result no weight is actually carried on the lugs. Wouldn't a spacer change that fact for the outer wheel?

Seeing how close 215/85/R16 tires are unloaded I can't imagine fitting a 245/75R16 on my truck stock, maybe the front but not the rear.
As far as the spacers go, the ones from Fred will maintain hub-centric fitment of the ouutside wheel, and in the 2" size will allow even a 265/75/16 to be mounted with no clearance issues....although the outside tire may stick out past the rear fender by a 1/2 inch.
JP

[jsmiracle]

... The newer 3500SRW's come with 265's.

Are the OEM wheels on the newer 3500SRW's the same width as the 2500HD's? 6.5"?

Thanks,
Jim.

[DmaxMaverick]

Are the OEM wheels on the newer 3500SRW's the same width as the 2500HD's? 6.5"?

Thanks,
Jim.

No. They are wider (7", I think) and only available in steel, so far.

[Mark Rinker]

Camp somewhere else and invite your friends. Offer to buy ALL the beer with the money you saved on wheels, tires, or trading campers/trucks. :)

[bigbluefj]

My brother has a 01 GMC dually and he still has the original book that he got in the showroom when he was shopping. The book shows that your truck originally had 245/75/16 tires on the front and rear. It doesn't even show an option for another size. How did you end up with 215/85/16s? Are you still running the original rims?


well i'm not a tire expert but on my 04 gmc the little sticker say's 215/85/16 and i have on 245/75/16 on stock rims's don't no if that help's..

[MaxACL]

I run 235/85s on my 3500 DRW. No touchie.

Mike