E350 front tire size
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E350 front tire size
Sup van nation,
I'm planning on replacing all the tires on my E350 Centurion soon. Of the 6 tires it has 4 different brands in 2 sizes, 235/85R16 in the back and 215/85R16 in the front.
Along with the high-sitting 1-ton rear end, the smaller front tires give it a forward rake I'm not too much into. I'm wondering if anyone has put 235/85 on the front axle. so I can have one tire size all-round.
It LOOKS like it wouldn't scrub when turning, but will be marginal.
Data points along this front would be appreciated!
I'm planning on replacing all the tires on my E350 Centurion soon. Of the 6 tires it has 4 different brands in 2 sizes, 235/85R16 in the back and 215/85R16 in the front.
Along with the high-sitting 1-ton rear end, the smaller front tires give it a forward rake I'm not too much into. I'm wondering if anyone has put 235/85 on the front axle. so I can have one tire size all-round.
It LOOKS like it wouldn't scrub when turning, but will be marginal.
Data points along this front would be appreciated!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
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From: Roseville, MN
I don't know as much about E series as I do the Fs, but typically 215/85-16 is for duallies and 235/85-16 is for singles. The sidewalls of the wider 235s can contact each other in a dual application. If they do you are risking a double blowout.
So I'd suggest taking a real close look at your rears. Even if it looks like quite a bit of room sitting there, will there still be clearance loaded, going over a rock in a corner?
So I'd suggest taking a real close look at your rears. Even if it looks like quite a bit of room sitting there, will there still be clearance loaded, going over a rock in a corner?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
You need to rotate your tires for longer life, so I suggest the same size all the way around, you don't want the same 2 tires on the front for the life of them because they will go long before the rear wear down.
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That's a good point. It came with 235s on the rear, and they seem to have about an inch and some between them. I've personally not loaded it heavy enough for it to matter, I think, but worth factoring into the decision.
It seems like current Econoline DRW chassis use 225 for the rear, so that might be the best compromise.
Spacers!?
It seems like current Econoline DRW chassis use 225 for the rear, so that might be the best compromise.
Spacers!?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,298
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From: South central, Minnesota
My F450 dualie has 235's on the rear but it's a 10 lug Dana 80 so it's a different animal.
If you run spacers between the duals make sure they are good quality. Because if you loose the outer tire going down the road it could kill someone.
The problem I see with the narrower tires is they usually handle less weight. So if you plan on doing any heavy hauling that may be an issue.
If you run spacers between the duals make sure they are good quality. Because if you loose the outer tire going down the road it could kill someone.
The problem I see with the narrower tires is they usually handle less weight. So if you plan on doing any heavy hauling that may be an issue.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
Now that it's not dark out I checked the tire size on my E-450 motorhome. They are 225/75R16. There's about 1 1/2" between the tires up higher, but only about 3/4" at the bulge at the bottom.
People do put much wider tires on duallies using spacers. There's a guy who happens to be near me who posts You-Tube videos with his "off-road wrecker" that has military take-off 37x12.50-16.5 tires. I think he has a spacer bolted to the hub, then the inner wheel bolted to that, then another spacer, then the outside wheel. Every time he pulls the wheels off he says he has to go back and take the outer stuff off to retighten the inner stuff, so it's a long process to get everything snugged down. And he did lose an outside tire in one of his videos (his truck isn't driven on the highway so losing it was no big deal on a slow trail).
People do put much wider tires on duallies using spacers. There's a guy who happens to be near me who posts You-Tube videos with his "off-road wrecker" that has military take-off 37x12.50-16.5 tires. I think he has a spacer bolted to the hub, then the inner wheel bolted to that, then another spacer, then the outside wheel. Every time he pulls the wheels off he says he has to go back and take the outer stuff off to retighten the inner stuff, so it's a long process to get everything snugged down. And he did lose an outside tire in one of his videos (his truck isn't driven on the highway so losing it was no big deal on a slow trail).
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