Posted 2013-02-23 7:17 PM (#150110) Subject: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Regular
Posts: 82 Location: Massachusetts
I have a 2006 GMC 2500HD 4x4 4 door ex cab 6 foot bed that I haul a 2012 Merhow Verylite 2 horse slant load with 6ft LQ weighs 12,000 loaded.Every time I haul my trailer my GMC Hub caps in the back fall off.I called GMC on this and They told me that the chrome facing on the steel wheels are flexing causing the hub caps to fall off.I replaced 3 already at 85.00 each.What I want to know is ,Is there a wheel out there that I should get that will be extra strong to support the weight of my trailer without flexing.I also make sure that my tire pressure is right where it asks for trailering.Also Im going to need new tires soon so what type is the best for trailering.
Posted 2013-02-24 8:00 AM (#150114 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
What size tire are you running? 245/75R16 lr-E? If so run them at 80 psi. If you have tires on the stock rims that are wider than 245's then the tire is too wide for that rim and the tire itself is probably working the hub caps off. What air pressure are you running on the rear and what size are your rear tires.
Posted 2013-02-24 8:31 AM (#150115 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
There are a multitude of hub caps and SIMS that could be installed that would alleviate your loss problem. Many of the SIMS bolt on, so there is no chance of them coming astray. The cost is much less than your OEM replacements.
The best trailer tires in your trailer's weight range would be an "E" range, American made LT truck tire. It is better made, longer lasting and has no speed limitations, when compared to any Chinese sourced ST tire.
I would suspect that with the proper sized tire on your present rims, and if they are not over weighted, that they should function without having to be replaced. Changing to a different style of hub cap may eliminate many of the problems. I have lost hub caps on many types of vehicles, and I couldn't contribute the problems to wheel flexation. By changing the cap styles and types, the problems were eliminated.
Posted 2013-02-24 5:15 PM (#150128 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I don't have answer for you, But wanted to raise your awareness of a question you should ask your tire/wheel dealer
Most aftermarket wheels that are designed to fit your pick up will have a 3,000lb lbs rating. My Ford F350 OEM wheels have a 3,500 lbs rating. I have not done the research to see if GM is similar. Or whether GM has lighter duty wheels on their 3/4 ton trucks vs their 1 ton trucks. But I have found it hard to find after market wheels that are rated as high as my OEM wheels.
Look at some of the common tire manufacture websites and see what the weight rating is for your size of tire. If you tires are rated in the 3,000 lbs range the most of the after market wheels will be just fine. If like my Ford, your tires are rated at 3750 lbs. Then most of the after market OEM wheels will be under rated for the tires you probably will be using.
There are numerous tires manufactures you can choose from. Most of us prefer long time well know brands of tires vs the cheap Chinese tires. Brands like Gooodyear, BF Goodrich, Cooper, Michelin, Bridgestone are well respected and should give you good service. Some of the tires from Japan are selling well and seem to be holding up. Nitto and Toyo are two of these. All of these have website where you can check out the tire specs and ratings to see if they are rated high enough to serve your needs.
Posted 2013-02-25 8:59 AM (#150142 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
I'd be real curious to see what the rear axle on your truck weighs with the trailer hooked up and loaded. Maybe it is overloaded, and the flex is "normal" given the situation. If the trailer is 12K, then depending on configuration a portion between 25-50% of that is going to pin weight.
Posted 2013-02-25 4:23 PM (#150159 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Regular
Posts: 82 Location: Massachusetts
All I know that the trailer rides smooth.I can have a full cup of coffee on the counter in the LQ drive 2 hours up and down hills and not spill a drop. It rides level.I've had a level on it when loaded. I decided to go with the BF goodrich commerial T/A All seasons 245/75R16 I looked at my tires and I have the same tire on there now but one size up.maybe thats the problem? I went to Pep boys and the guy told me he uses a silacone on his large truck lug nuts and they stay on.Ill try that before spending another 1000.00.
Posted 2013-02-25 5:13 PM (#150161 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
If you have one size up, then it's a LT265/75R16... That tire requires a 7" rim minimum.. Your rims are 6.5" wide.... Tire is hanging over the rim just enough to push at the hubcap as the tire rotates. As long as you try to use stock hubcaps with stock rims with the oversize tires it will continue to push them off. Did you have this trouble before installing the new 265 tires..?? Airing the rear tires to 80 psi may help.
Posted 2013-03-02 12:53 PM (#150304 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Member
Posts: 16
I have had issues with aluminum wheels on pickups used for hauling a lot of weight. This was the older style acorn nuts. Even with retorque they would loosen and shear off studs. After going to a stock steel wheel those issues are gone.
I would love to have aluminum wheels on my trailer but am hesitant to put them on because of that issue. The weight rating on most aluminum wheels will be fine if the studs don't loosen up.
Posted 2013-03-02 3:48 PM (#150308 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Steel wheels typically require cone-shaped lug for a proper fit, while aluminum wheels may require cone-, acorn-, or washer-type lug nuts. It is not recommended to use the wrong type of lug nuts to attach your wheels. The wrong type of wheel lug nuts can damage the wheel, and if not torqued properly, which can be unsafe. Lugs also come in different sizes, depending on the vehicle. Getting the right combination of size, type, and finish, is critical in assuring the proper fit and finish.
Posted 2013-03-02 7:34 PM (#150309 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Regular
Posts: 82 Location: Massachusetts
I have the same wheels that came with the truck new Its a steel wheel with a chrome facing with a GMC hub cover with 8 black lug nut covers one piece. GMC is telling me that the rust and dirt over the years between the chrome facing and the steel wheel is causing chrome facing to flex causing the hub cover to come off when weight is added.and that the treads on the plastic lug nut covers are only screwed on only a few threads and they tend to fall off.
Posted 2013-03-03 12:42 PM (#150329 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Try putting a dab of plumbers pipe dope on the threads. You will still be able to undo the lugs, and they may not flex and come loose.I had to do this to my Jeep after airing down off road, and then pumping back up when entering pavement. Kept losing lug covers, and now they are fine.
Posted 2013-03-03 2:33 PM (#150336 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We used to use a factor of ~25% higher for a wet torque. Some manufacturers publish both wet and dry torque values. Some are as low as a 10-15% difference.
Posted 2013-03-03 7:50 PM (#150345 - in reply to #150110) Subject: RE: what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
Regular
Posts: 82 Location: Massachusetts
Well im getting my new tires put on next week. Yay!And I will try that little diddy of a trick with the plumers goop stuff.that will save me a hell of a lot of moola.thanks for all your imput and I will let y'all know if the new tire size works as well as the goop.. Y'all remember to trailer safely....and Happy trails
what type of Wheels and Tires are Best for Hauling
