LT265/75R16 load range E

Tires, shocks, sway bars, air bags... What crosswind?
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usachris
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by usachris »

After reading this thread, the wife and I decided to put BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 - LT265/75R16/E on our 1999 B190. Being larger than the original tire, like other posters, some trimming of the front wheel wells were required. To start, I found a tire comparison website that gave the measurements of the original tire and the larger tire side by side:
Size comparison #1
Size comparison #1
CA69FF5D-2551-4488-ACB1-8FC697FD6789.jpeg (82.59 KiB) Viewed 10194 times
Size comparison #2
Size comparison #2
D760D535-ED59-455C-9BCB-73F1FFEE9893.jpeg (78.62 KiB) Viewed 10194 times
And as a bonus, the difference in speed between the two tires as reflected on the speedometer. I haven’t seen much conversation on this topic but I haven’t dug around that much. Looks like 2 miles an hour roughly is the difference at freeway speed, I’m wondering if I could recalibrate my speedometer to match the new tires.
Bonus! Speed Comparison.
Bonus! Speed Comparison.
897ABBD6-DA3D-4C6C-96AF-5078F6F42787.jpeg (80.09 KiB) Viewed 10194 times
So glad I went through the extra effort, the new tires look amazing and I really, really feel the difference. Much more sure-footed.
Last edited by usachris on Sun Apr 15, 2018 7:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Christopher Salazar
1999 B190 #301352
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usachris
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by usachris »

After I trimmed the wheel wells on the driver and passenger side, I smoothed out the rough spots and hit it with a high heat rust blocker. Rustoleum.
The material cut is outlined in red.
The material cut is outlined in red.
521CD1B7-1E9F-483C-B74E-B9F5EC6D15C8.jpeg (113.03 KiB) Viewed 10194 times
The trimmed wheel well
The trimmed wheel well
68996D56-2EFA-4C6C-94FD-20D2552E216E.jpeg (111.26 KiB) Viewed 10194 times
Grace’s new shoes!
Grace’s new shoes!
B0B9F057-44AB-44A5-B5BD-5F610D5E90BC.jpeg (206.12 KiB) Viewed 10194 times
I’d be lying if I said the process was super easy, but I’d do it again after seeing the benefits. The max load rating of each tire is 3415 pounds @ 80 PSI :D
Christopher Salazar
1999 B190 #301352
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ZachS
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by ZachS »

usachris wrote:After I trimmed the wheel wells on the driver and passenger side, I smoothed out the rough spots and hit it with a high heat rust blocker. Rustoleum.
521CD1B7-1E9F-483C-B74E-B9F5EC6D15C8.jpeg
68996D56-2EFA-4C6C-94FD-20D2552E216E.jpeg
B0B9F057-44AB-44A5-B5BD-5F610D5E90BC.jpeg
I’d be lying if I said the process was super easy, but I’d do it again after seeing the benefits. The max load rating of each tire is 3415 pounds @ 80 PSI :D
Hey Chris. How about a wide shot of the rig! I want to put 265s on mine too, but I haven't pulled the trigger. I found out I can run the 245s on my Sprinter without mod, so I won't have to waste the almost new 245s currently on the Air2D2. I bought 8" wide 16" rims on CL this winter and I like the looks so far. I'm considering a lift from weld tech - the "ocotillo cruiser" package. I need new bushings in the front, so the lift only doubles the cost ImageImage

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usachris
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by usachris »

A bit overcast today but here it is:
A Very Capable Machine!
A Very Capable Machine!
3B9DEB1A-AEFB-422E-81EC-F6824C9C956F.jpeg (192.64 KiB) Viewed 10189 times
i had a choice to have the raised white lettering facing on the outside or turned in to show the all black lettering on the sidewalls.
I went with the black lettering facing out.
I went with the black lettering facing out.
5A136E72-AEF0-4FA6-8805-AC9B9560E4A2.jpeg (137.22 KiB) Viewed 10189 times
I choose the latter - because I though my wife would think the white lettering looked too aggressive. Turned out, she preferred if the white lettering was showing. :roll:

I’m planning on installing a 3” lift kit on the front to get rid of the slight forward pitch.
Christopher Salazar
1999 B190 #301352
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usachris
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by usachris »

ZachS wrote:Image
Looking Good, Air2D2!
Christopher Salazar
1999 B190 #301352
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usachris
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by usachris »

The sun came out. Here are some better shots.
Wide shot
Wide shot
4079D93F-EFEB-44EF-A988-0D5B6529ED58.jpeg (149.49 KiB) Viewed 10197 times
Passenger Front
Passenger Front
AA55C900-B613-4FF5-9FEA-537E67F54FC0.jpeg (135.76 KiB) Viewed 10197 times
Driver Front Tire
Driver Front Tire
ED9F2C21-9FB7-4D89-A7B1-36625E683F0A.jpeg (157.69 KiB) Viewed 10197 times
Christopher Salazar
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by Choptop »

Nice !! Thanks for the info.
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ZachS
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by ZachS »

usachris wrote:The sun came out. Here are some better shots.
4079D93F-EFEB-44EF-A988-0D5B6529ED58.jpeg
AA55C900-B613-4FF5-9FEA-537E67F54FC0.jpeg
ED9F2C21-9FB7-4D89-A7B1-36625E683F0A.jpeg
Yeah. That looks really great! Be sure to share what you learn about the lift and I will too. I'm probably not doing it this year, but might if I decide the front end needs attention right away. Ultimate plan is for a lift and locking rear diff.

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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by GJCamper »

Chris,
Was it the increased height or the increased width of your new tires that made it necessary to trim the wheel well? I wonder if I could go a little wider without needing to trim the wheel well.

Judith
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1996 Airstream B190 purchased August 2017
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usachris
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Re: LT265/75R16 load range E

Post by usachris »

Judith, the width of the tire was the cause to trim the wheel well. I drove it cross country just a few weeks ago, over the Colorado Rockies and didn’t bottom out once. :D
45CD7386-C442-462E-86BC-72FF1AFF7457.jpeg
45CD7386-C442-462E-86BC-72FF1AFF7457.jpeg (71.43 KiB) Viewed 10046 times
Christopher Salazar
1999 B190 #301352
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