To those with 19.5" wheels..... I know most trucks came with Continetal HSR and HDRs. I recently repaced my fronts with the HSRs about 2k miles ago.... But my rears are in bad shape. I was going to just replace them with the HDRs, but continental has them on back order, so i may run a different brand tire back there. The options are VERY limited in this size. I would like to run a traction tire on the rear, and not just a steer or all position tire. What have you guys replaced them with? I am trying not to spend an arm and a leg, becuase they are not cheap as is, especially when buying 4. The continentals are about $300 each, but again, on back order. The Michelins are to expensive. So i been looking at the Kelly KTD, or maybe a Kumho or Sumitomo?

Any input is appreciated.

 

Well you might not like my awnser but im going to tell you what I did.... I bought my 08 450 with 65k miles. It needed 6 new tires so I went with the cheepies..I bought 6 hercules tires for 1000 installed. That was 1 year ago almost to the day. Now I have 155k miles on the truck and those tires look like they could go at least another 40k. I checked the tread depth all around and im at 8 and 7 back and front....so in my opinion the cheepies are just as good as the expensive ones

 

FWIW, I would never run Steer tires on the back... not a lot of traction to be gained. I have run several brands on big trucks, I like BFG, and Michelins easier to balance and run a bit truer than some of the cheeper brands. But in the end you get what you pay for. I have also gotten better mileage ( fuel) with the BFG/Michelin rubber on big rigs. Not sure it it will hold true for the 450. Still awaiting new wheels from Rickson to mount the 265's

Cheers

 

Wow, thats impressive. How is the traction? are they all the same? or traction tires on the rear?

 

I don't wanna run steer tires on the back because mine is only 2WD. So I can use all the traction I can on the rear if i am on a bad surface. But, my truck actually came with 6 steer tires on it. I have 6 Continental HSRs. I have seen some other early F450s with this too. So i am not sure why the HDRs which are the drive axle tires were not put on mine.....

I am still considering a set of 22.5 wheels eventually though! They just look so damn good! I know i will lose some MPGs.... But the looks make up for it. My only concern is not having a spare tire...

 

I need to learn more guys. I have an 08 job 1 truck that happens to be a 4x2 and after reading this post I checked my tires and I have HSR all the way around and that's the way Ford delivered it. How are the HDR tires different and what will they do for my truck?

 

Yeah it seems a lot of the early 08s have the HSRs all the way around. The HDRs is just a bit different tread design designed for rears to privide more traction.

 

This is waht we use on our 450 and 550 trucks all the way around at work. They also have the 245 tire but you have to call them to order!!! We average about 30k-45k out of these tires which is plenty for the abuse the trucks see. https://treadwright.com/p-19-225-70r19-5-crawler-f.aspx

 

Wow those are cheap! I assume most of these trucks are just on dirt/mud roads? not highway use?

 

30-45K..... I have 65K miles on my BFG's and they still have about 50% of the tread left.

 

22.5's you might actually gain some MPG's as long as you are mostly highway. Larger diameter lower rolling resistance should equal some better mileage, the ride might be more stiff as you will be in the G or H load range.

 

Eventually I would love to get a set of the 22.5s. I have read some say they may improve MPGs, I have 4:88 gears, so maybe it will help. I think it will be a wash though, becuase those things are just massive! i have a feeling the extra weight spinning may not give me much of a gain.

 

From a standing start you are right on, however, once rolling, mass in motion tends to stay in motion plus lowering the engine RPM is a plus. fuel mileage is best if RPM is kept under 2000 rpm and boost is under 10 psi. These trucks have the same areodynamic profile of Coke Machine or a small building. The taller tire effectivly reduces final drive gearing lowering engine rpm net result better fuel mileage. Big rig tires are design with rolling resistance in mind hence why they usually have less than the light truck tires.

Un sprung weight will be higher with a 22.5 setup butthat is another story altogether.

Cheers

 

For these trucks to go 30 to 45K thats pretty good!!! the trucks spend about 60% on the street and the other 40% in some very coarse granite rock. We also get about 50k out of the front suspension before its completely shot. but I have yet to find a cheaper supplier for those parts and that costs us almost 1500.00 in parts per truck. Our break even point on these trucks if all goes to plan is 90,000 miles and we try to run them to about 140k before they head to auction.

 

Well, being the HDRs are out of stock, i am actually now considering a cheaper tire for the rears now. I actually looked at the Hercules H803, it is a 14ply traction tire and i can get them for just under $200 each! Which model do you have? I never used a tire that was not a big name before, but i may try this....Thank god there are 4 tires back there just in case!