Finalizing My 16” Wheel & Tire Size Decision

[Shocker]

I would be leery of the Mojave I think. 3100 pounds just seems a bit light to me considering the loaded weight of our rigs.

Just my 2 cents. I am running the 16x7 Alcoa's rated at 3750. They would be just wide enough to fit the 285.

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by Shocker

I would be leery of the Mojave I think. 3100 pounds just seems a bit light to me considering the loaded weight of our rigs.

Most of the wheels around aren't even rated at 3100. I've driven over all kinds of awful roads on the Mojaves, no issues. My rear axle scale weight with gear is around 5600.

My recollection is most GAWR's for the rear are 6084 ish. So if you're going over 3100lb per wheel, you need to start thinking about your axle setup, not just your wheels.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Originally Posted by ANZAC

My recollection is most GAWR's for the rear are 6084 ish. So if you're going over 3100lb per wheel, you need to start thinking about your axle setup, not just your wheels.

6084# is the combined rating of two 245/75-18E tires (3042 ea @80psi). Ford has to rate the capacity at the weakest link in the system.

The SF rear axle is rated at 6340#.

Mike

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

6084# is the combined rating of two 245/75-18E tires (3042 ea @80psi). Ford has to rate the capacity at the weakest link in the system.

The SF rear axle is rated at 6340#.

Mike

OK, in that case if you are going over 3170lb per wheel, you need to be thinking about your axle setup. Mojave's are easily ok for most rigs. Of course, getting a higher rated wheel can never hurt.

[geoffff]

Originally Posted by Shocker

I would be leery of the Mojave I think. 3100 pounds just seems a bit light to me considering the loaded weight of our rigs.

On my RB my rear wheels are only taking 2800 and 2650 lbs, van loaded.

Originally Posted by Shocker

Just my 2 cents. I am running the 16x7 Alcoa's rated at 3750. They would be just wide enough to fit the 285.

16x7 isn't large enough for 285/75R16 tires. That's how this whole new wheel business got started for me! I'm currently running 16x7 steel wheels, and they're too narrow for 285/75R16 tires.

See the Tire & Rim Assoc Load Tables...



-- Geoff

[depark]

I have one comment in regards to your chart. Check the manufacture's specs about the tire that you choose. In my case I have LT275/70R18 Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ's which have a listed rim width of 7.0 - 9.0. Just something to be aware of.
Cheers
Darryl

[geoffff]

I ended up going with General Grabber AT2 tires (size LT305/70R16) on American Racing Teflon Mojave rims.

(I moved up from BFG TA KO size LT285/75R16 on steel rims. The new tires are the same diameter as before, but about an inch wider.)

And I now finally got a chance to try them out, with a couple nights camping in the Wenatchee National Forest.

Wow, driving on the rough stuff is so much better with these new larger tires!!! Roads with 3-inch-rock bumpy stuff used to bring my van to a crawl, lest I get the whole thing oscillating and bounce itself to death. But now I can cruise at 20 MPH on this stuff. This was while aired down to 28 PSI front, 32 PSI rear.

These larger tires now totally blow away any pretense of a stealth "normal" van I thought I might have had, but the improved ride off pavement is so worth it.

The only other disadvantage I can find is that airing up now takes me somewhat longer.

[windyhill]

Originally Posted by geoffff

On my RB my rear wheels are only taking 2800 and 2650 lbs, van loaded.

16x7 isn't large enough for 285/75R16 tires. That's how this whole new wheel business got started for me! I'm currently running 16x7 steel wheels, and they're too narrow for 285/75R16 tires.

I've been running 285x75x16 on stock ford aluminum rims since 1997! It's just not true that they don't fit, thy work very nicely.

[geoffff]

Originally Posted by windyhill

I've been running 285x75x16 on stock ford aluminum rims since 1997! It's just not true that they don't fit, thy work very nicely.

Though they appear to fit, it is not an officially approved size (as discussed earlier -- see the table I posted). It might not be safe.

I ran 285x75x16 tires on stock 7-inch rims for a decade as well.

-- Geoff