My 94 suspension is replaced now with heavy duty springs and etc.
The problem I'm having is the tires.
I have 15 inch rims and tried to find a E rated tire and could not.
I went to several places and they all said the same.
I would have to go to 16 inch rims for this duty rating.
My van sits up higher than it use to because of the new suspension but the tire dealers did not think a 245/75/16 rim and tire would fit.

I've got to do something because I almost wrecked the van towing my 12 foot trailer yesterday.
I stopped and checked the van and I could push the rear of the van back and forth and watching the rims float inside the tire.

I really need advice on this one.
Thanks

 

You should be able to fit 30" outside diameter tires without much problem. I am running almost 30.5" tires (265/65/17) with HD rear springs and 0 offset rims.

Check with a tire calculator: Tire Calculator

Your gearing will change a little. Check the load rating of the new tires.

 

have you measured the circumference of your current tire ?
I'd start there

 

What tires do you have on the van now? What load rating do they have? If you don't have LT tires with at least a C rating that will make a noticable improvement.

 

I have 235/75/15 Firestone Destination Le2.
I'm pretty sure they are rated C.

I'll measure my tires tomorrow.

When it say's 235 does it make a difference between 15' and 16' rims

 

if you can find some newer E150 16" rims, 225/75/16s come on many cubevans and they can be purchased in 8ply Drange and 10ply Erange tire. an option for you if you are worried about how tall the tire is.


just a bench mark for you..... C range 6ply are always rated at 50psi, D range 8ply are always 65psi, and E range 10ply are always 80psi max.


you might want to read up on tire profiles also.


get those tires sorted before somebody or something gets hurt

 

All good advice above, but something isn't adding up to me.

Our E-150s of this vintage are factory rated using P235/75/15 XL (extra load) rated tires. Many tire shops will put the standard passenger tire replacement, reducing the carrying capacity/safety of the vehicle (and of course the trailer as well).

Copied from Firestone Destination LE2 specs: If your tires have "XL" on them, you should be fine as far as tires go. If this is your tire, use the factory door sticker air pressure ratings. (I know the sidewall has a higher rating, so flame away...)
<table class="specs"><tbody><tr class="header"><th class="firstColumn">Tire
Size</th><th>Service
Desc</th><th>Load
Range</th><th>Speed
Rating</th><th>Sidewall
Styling</th><th>Article
Number</th><th>Appr. Rim
Width</th><th>Overall
Tire Diameter</th><th>Tread
Depth</th><th>Tire
Weight</th></tr></tbody></table> <table class="specs"><tbody><tr><td>P235/75R15</td><td>108T</td><td>XL</td><td>T</td><td>OWL</td><td>097623</td><td>6.0-8.0</td><td>28.86</td><td>12</td><td>31</td></tr></tbody></table>
Sure we can upgrade, but I routinely pull a 7x16 enclosed tandem trailer most anywhere on the factory style XL tires without issue.

If you are having towing issues can you describe further what's happening? trailer sway? Is there enough tongue weight? (trailer loaded properly, trailer tire air pressure, etc) With your new leaf springs and increased rear van height, is the trailer now towing "nose-up" when using the same draw bar? Last, which leaf springs did you put in?, and what else have you upgraded/changed?

I know this is the simple stuff, and you've probably already covered it, but this is usually what gives me the most trouble.

Good Luck

 

While doing all that suspension work, did you pull the axles and inspect the shafts for wear ? The axle is the inner bearing race and once the bearing wears through the hardened surface portion, it's a short matter of time before it wears through the rest of the shaft. If your van has more than about 125K on it, it's time for new axles and bearings, especially if you're going to tow with it. A 235/75 tire on a 16" rim is 1" taller than the same size on a 15" rim. To figure the diameter, multiply 235 times .75, then take the answer and multiply that times 2. Then divide by 25.4 (millimeters in an inch) then add that to the rim diameter to get the diameter of the tire. 235 is the width of the tire, 75 is the aspect ratio (75% of the sidewall width)

 

I run a 225/75 16 10ply on my work van. Wouldn't be much different then a 235-75 15
Capitol I think is the brand.

 

Hey Guys,
I haven't been ignoring you all, I've been out of town.
And I'll show you why.
I'll get all the info you asked for because I still need the help with this van.

 

New Toy

I hope this shows up.
It's a 91 E250
It drives great needs some clean up but I hope it pulls the trailer good.
This is what I had to go get in Ocala Florida, 200 miles from me.
I'll still need help with the 94 E150 if you guys don't mind.
Calvin

 

Clean!!

 

I've got an '88. That just gives me quite a few ideals. thanks

 

Btw got any pics on the interior or is it bare?

 

245/75/16 should fit fine - that's what's on my 97 E250