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Jul 25, 2004 | 11:01 PM

colour

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Need tire advice

I'm thinking of changing the rims on my 95 E150 from 15" to 16". right now I have 235/75/15's I would like to have shorter sidewall and wider tread. My concern is the load capacity of a wider tire such as a 235/70/16. I do carry a load and sometimes pull trailers. I'm having a hard time finding an extra load tire in that size. I would not mind having a wider tire. I did find some 235/75/16's but I'm not sure that that will be too tall and skinny. Any suggestions?

Jul 26, 2004 | 07:12 AM

86rustbucket

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From: Metamora

You could go with the 235/70 but you would lose about 200lbs of load capacity per tire (or about 400 per axle). I know that they 2004+ E150's are now coming with a P235/70R16 but I'm not sure if it is an XL or not. You might want to take a trip to your local Ford dealer to find out.

You could also try a 245/70R16 standard load, they are rated at 2094 lbs @ 35 psi (about a 89 lb loss over the 235/75R15 XL) or a P255/70R16 which is rated at 2271 lbs @ 35 psi. Obviously, the P245 and P255 will be wider and taller. The 245 will be about 0.5 in wider and about 1 in taller and the P255 will be about 1 in wider and about 2 in taller than the P235/75R15.

The P235/70R16 will not be wider than the P235/75R15. The tire sidewall will only be shorter. The 235 designates the tire width at the widest point (235 mm or about 9.25 in) the 70 is the aspect ratio, or the percentage of the sidewall height to the width. In this case, the sidewall should be about 235 * 0.70 = 164.5 mm or 6.5 in.

Jul 26, 2004 | 04:26 PM

Mustang 5.0

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Virginia Beach, VA

Michlen has 245/75-16's rated for 3000#

in the LT category, I've found that the 16's are ususlly rated for more capacity than the 15's. Check the manufacturerer's spec sheet for details

Jul 26, 2004 | 04:52 PM

85e150

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Aren't there 17" on F150 starting in '97? Will they fit the E150? If you're going to go to a bigger wheel anyway.....

Jul 27, 2004 | 11:38 PM

colour

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Well I can't seem to find any 235/70/16's extra load tires? Looked at fords website and they are XL's on the 2004's. How much will the extra height effect the speedometer? What I was hoping to do was get a tire with a shorter sidewall than a 235/75/15 A little taller and/or wider would be okay but I can't seem to find a tire that is of the same height or close with the load capacity required.

Jul 28, 2004 | 12:16 AM

pfogle

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Joined: Feb 2003

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From: Oak Harbor, OH

the 235/75/15 has a 29"diameter, get a 16" tire with the same diameter and you will be fine. Make sure it has the same load capacity, the local tire shop should be able to help you in selecting the right tire.

Jul 29, 2004 | 03:11 PM

83Van

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From: Nashville

Best bet on the tires themselves are the Yokohama Geolandar H/T. In the 235/75-15 size, heavy duty 6 ply "C" load rated version they are only $73 ea from tire rack [my local tire shops wanted $120-$130 apiece]. They don't stock the 70-16 in a "C" rated version, but sure they could special order them.

I asked around gobs of Truck/Van owners before choosing the Yokohama's. They have great grip wet or dry, good tread life, and are very quiet. Have run them for 3 years now and couldn't be more pleased. In the "C" load versions they're rated for 50psi which helps mileage and gives you much better stability while towing. The previous tires were regular load 35psi and felt like mush while driving unloaded, downright scary when loaded or towing. Same size in the 6-ply C rated version and it feels rock solid. The "SL" and "XL" versions of the Yokohama's are rated for a slightly higher load weight wise, but aren't the heftier 6-ply construction and can't take the higher pressures. The C version also has a full half inch wider contact patch in the same "rated" 235 width. The stiff sidewall does make them ride a bit rougher when pumped up, but you can run normal pressure for everyday driving then go to max pressure on the rears when it's time to haul a load or tow.