F350 dump truck tire help

[zr900]

I have a 93 f350 with a 8x12 dump bed on it and am looking at new tires. The tires on it now a 215-85-16. The truck is a 2wd and I am looking for an aggressive tire. I would like to go to a 235-85-16 but don't think I have the clearance between the rear duals to do this.

If I went to a 235 how much of a spacer would I need between the wheels?

Either way I will be putting on load range E tires instead of the D's that it is currently wearing.

Will I gain much traction going from 215 to 235?

The tires I am currently looking at are the Goodyear Duratracks, and Firestone Destination MT's

Thoughts, Opinions let me hear um.

 

[cuznguido]

I would put spacers between the wheels as a last resort. If you put them in there don't be surprised if you start breaking lug studs.

 

[ShoerFast]

I not convinced they would hit?

The narrower 215 tires will have more traction.

 

[zr900]

I not convinced they would hit?

The narrower 215 tires will have more traction.

I have about 1/2 inch at most between the tires when it is loaded now and the 235 are around 1" wider so I don't think they are going to make it without spacers.

 

[treeoperations]

ya wont gain much by going to bigger tyres, youll get better floatation on soft ground and no more traction as such, stick with what youve got and just let your tyres down when needed for the extra floatation, breaking wheel studs suck arse and not worth the hassel for little or no gain

 

[ShoerFast]

I have about 1/2 inch at most between the tires when it is loaded now and the 235 are around 1" wider so I don't think they are going to make it without spacers.

That is close, rims with more offset would be a better long-term idea then spacers, or stick with the currant size.

An old friend of mine said you will never spend on safety items then what you will spend on one accident. Spacers can work, but the disadvantages been well covered.

 

[dingeryote]

zr,

How far out from Hartford are ya?

Tom Smith Tire stocks the Cooper AT's for a really good price, and they are really tough to beat off road with a load. A bit noisy, but they do well in the sand and Berry ground.

I had Destinations for a bit and they just aren't for anything but pavement.
Nice ride and quiet, but might as well be slicks in the sand and mud.

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[Maple Grounds]

Had 235-85-16 on my 90' f350 with no problems, they are only 20mm wider which is only slightly over 3/4 inches. So if each side of the tire protrudes out 10mm more, you should still have 1/4 between the tires.

reread your post and saw you only had 1/2" , i thought you had 1" ,

 

[Chris Crouse]

I think the Desitnation MT would be a good choice for more summer time / off road driving. Plus they are studdable if you so desire. Not many people know about that tire in this area which is too bad. They would be really popular if they were advertised like the BFG AT and MT tires.

If you plan on driving in winter conditions more often than not I can recommend the Cooper Discoverer M+S in that size. I run that tire on my 2wd, open diff F250 and they work as well as I could have ever hoped in the slick. They also make them in your stock size. I have 10,000 year round miles on the tires which always has a 1,000 pound camper on the back of it and they still have 12/32" of tread on them. They can get greasy quick if you have to slam on the breaks on hot pavement though. Rain driving is excellent.

For winter traction, your are better off with the narrower tire. Also remember that the 235/85 will be taller than your stockers which will throw off your speedometer and sap some power. They will drop your revs at any given speed but if you have really low gears that may be a positive for you.

 

[Racerboy832]

Hey ZR900, I just picked up a 94 f350 with 12 foot mason dump. Still working the bugs out like (rebuilt tranny). How do you like driving that with a long wheelbase. I just wanted a reg one but the price was right. Mine is 4wd with plow but I can't imagine it's easy to plow with. The turning radius seems to suck just moving it around the parking lot.

 

[zr900]

The turning radius on mine doesn't seem to bad, but my everyday truck is a 99 silverado ext cab with 35" tires and that seems to have a wider turning radius than the 350.

Other than gas mileage I really enjoy driving that dump truck.

 

[Racerboy832]

I'm thinking of selling the f350 onces it's all done. Someone told me they saw a 1950 Chev dump for sale for $500. Since I don't use the truck often I was thinking it would be neat to have a old truck. Paint it up like a rat rod with Slate Gravel co on it (flintstones)

 

[olyman]

I'm thinking of selling the f350 onces it's all done. Someone told me they saw a 1950 Chev dump for sale for $500. Since I don't use the truck often I was thinking it would be neat to have a old truck. Paint it up like a rat rod with Slate Gravel co on it (flintstones)

KIDS!!!!!!!

 

[loadthestove]

How do you like driving that with a long wheelbase. I just wanted a reg one but the price was right. Mine is 4wd with plow but I can't imagine it's easy to plow with. The turning radius seems to suck just moving it around the parking lot.

try mine if you want something with a awful turn radius I have an 06 f-350 supercrew with 8 ft bed.friend of mine was with me the other day and made the comment ,he could turn his dump truck around where I cant turn my pickup.
When I use the truck for what I purchased it for(Tow family F'ver) its great.but as a daily driver --forget it.