I carry my camper about 10K miles a year out of 16K miles total on my 2006 2500HD. I got almost 50K miles out of my OEM Bridgestone 245/75R16s with no flats. On the second set, the back 2 ruptured internally at 40K, developed high spots and wore down to no tread on one and the steel belt on the other. Yes, I know that I should have caught it, but based on the first set I didn't think I would have a problem at 40K
I've weighed my truck/camper combo loaded for long term travel and I'm just under the tire max (3042 lb per) on the back axle by 100 pounds per tire or so. I'm thinking the tires might have ruptured when I hit some uneven surface.
I know nil about what's involved in changing to a different tire size. A guy at a tire place suggested 265s and I see they are rated for 3472 lbs. That would give me a lot more safety margin per tire.
Any big disadvantages to going with 265s? I read something about having to get the truck internal computer reprogrammed by a dealer.
I have a 2004 2500HD and did exactly what you are considering except that I also upgraded the rims to 3400 lbs +. I did have to trim the front bumper side where they wrap around the wheel wells. I also get light rubbing if I cramp the wheels hard to right or left but otherwise no problems. The mileage with the camper off got slightly better and with it on slightly worse. I believe the ride is improved, it's just more stable with the new tires.
2004 Chevrolet 2500HD, 4WD, 6.0, ext.cab, SB, 4.10 Supersprings 265 Firestone tires, 8 X 16 rims 2003 Northstar Laredo SC
I had a 2001 Chevy 2500HD. I went to 265s with no problems whatsoever. Nothing was reprogrammed and the speedometer was still within 1 mph of the speed reported by my GPS.
06 Dodge 3500,Dually,CTD,Auto,QC,4X4,Torklifts,Fastguns
2008 Northstar 8.5 Arrow, 100W AM Solar
US Navy 1964-1968, 2-Tour Vietnam Vet
Ralph...we have same truck and made the switch to 265's last year. Single best mod we have made to the truck/camper.
Kept the OEM wheels...have put on ~ 10k with these tires...love 'em. It feels like these tires were designed for this truck.
Go for it...
Bill
2006 Chevy D/A CC
Adventurer 810WS
25'Airstream Excella
"Good People Drink Good Beer"-Hunter S Thompson
You should have no problem switching to 265's, only thing I would caution on is checking wheel specs if you decide to go to a higher load-range tire.
Also, if you chose a 70 series (26570r16), it would be almost identical in diameter to the 75 series 245's, so speedometer may not be affected and you would have slightly wider tires.
If you're intending to use the extra load weight capacity of the 265 tires, you need to also upgrade the wheels to higher weight rated wheels. The stock wheels from a GM 3500SRW have the correct weight rating for the 265 tires (3415 lbs), since those trucks come stock with 265 tires.
The 3500SRW wheels are also wider than the 2500 wheels and are the correct width for the 265 tires. The 2500 wheels are too narrow (6" or 6.5", depending on year) and fall outside of the acceptable width range (7" minimum wheel width spec for 265's), specified by all of the major tire manufacturers. Check your brand of tires' manufacturer website for wheel specs for your tires in 265 size.
We were advised by our tire dealer that the added height would cause our 2500 truck not to handle as well, more sidewall bulge. We live in truck camper country and they are used to dealing with a lot of trucks carrying campers. But listening to these responses, it sounds like they may not know what they're talking about. If we switched to the 265s, would the larger tire on the larger rim fit as a spare under the truck?
scout4trout wrote: We were advised by our tire dealer that the added height would cause our 2500 truck not to handle as well, more sidewall bulge. We live in truck camper country and they are used to dealing with a lot of trucks carrying campers. But listening to these responses, it sounds like they may not know what they're talking about. If we switched to the 265s, would the larger tire on the larger rim fit as a spare under the truck?
Yes, the spare will fit. The 3500SRW trucks use 265 tires on wider wheels as factory stock equipment and the spare fits fine on those trucks. The 2500 pickups have the same spare tire clearance area as the 3500 pickups.
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