Maybe EarthRoamer used the wrong tires???

[saintnomad]

Hi,
I still don't get why EarthRoamer used the Continental 335/80R20 tires. Ford F-550 4x4's maximum rear GAWR is 14706 lbs. 14706/2=7353. The max load capacity of one Continental 335/80R20 Tire is 6779 lbs [3075kg][6779x2= 13558 ＜ 14706]. 4 of 335 Continental tires can handle Ford F-550's max GVWR but not rear GAWR. Over a 1000 lbs difference in weight is dangerous? Or my technical understanding is wrong? Or maybe F-550 with payload downgrade package [17500 lbs of GVWR]?

 

[Darwin]

Earthroamer uses Continental because they have a partnership with them.(I'm guessing) same with Ford, not because it makes the most sense.

 

[saintnomad]

Earthroamer uses Continental because they have a partnership with them.(I'm guessing) same with Ford, not because it makes the most sense.

Safe or not, it can handle or not, they use continental tires because of a partnership with Continental?... OMG

 

[charlieaarons]

The F550 chassis is, for instance, used as a small dump truck for stuff like gravel. If for some reason an Earthroamer owner wants to utilize full rear GAWR but still have 335 singles, they could find and purchase
Michelin 335/80R20 XForceZLs with rating 150K = 3350kg = 7386 lb/tire or 14792 lb. Happy?

 

[saintnomad]

The F550 chassis is, for instance, used as a small dump truck for stuff like gravel. If for some reason an Earthroamer owner wants to utilize full rear GAWR but still have 335 singles, they could find and purchase
Michelin 335/80R20 XForceZLs with rating 150K = 3350kg = 7386 lb/tire or 14792 lb. Happy?View attachment 715220

According to Buckstop, Michelin tires are not available, and they are fully allocated to the military. https://www.buckstopinc.com/single-wheel-conversion-1769.html [Tire]

 

[charlieaarons]

Tyre wheel size 20 inch

Tire wheel size 20 inch

vrakking-tires.com

I couldn’t find the XZLs in LI 150, but they have Pirelli and Dunlop 335s in LI 149 (3300kg; 14553 lb/axle, with K speed rating = 68mph). You could call them or email (they answered my email about XZL2s) ask about dating and the LI 150 335s. When obtaining tires of this size, I’d recommend buying 8 at once. 4 plus 1 each mounted and unmounted spare to carry on vehicle. 2 more to store indoors so you have 4 new ones for second go-round. I’d guess the Pirellis would wear better than Dunlops, which look like Conti MPT81s. Also, depending on the vehicle, axles and gearing one could always think about 365/80R20 (not recommended for vehicles as light as F550). Don’t even think about 365/85R20; even owners of lighter Unimogs have regretted buying these.
I fantasize about “upgrading” from 395/85R20 to 14.00R20, but I’m rational enough not to do it.

 

[Darwin]

According to Buckstop, Michelin tires are not available, and they are fully allocated to the military. https://www.buckstopinc.com/single-wheel-conversion-1769.html [Tire]

Unfortunate they are not available in 2022 but a possible blessing in disguise if they are getting allocated to the military. In a few years maybe they will be as easy and cheap to purchase as some the larger sizes now available.

 

[saintnomad]

Tyre wheel size 20 inch

Tire wheel size 20 inch

vrakking-tires.com

I couldn’t find the XZLs in LI 150, but they have Pirelli and Dunlop 335s in LI 149 (3300kg; 14553 lb/axle, with K speed rating = 68mph). You could call them or email (they answered my email about XZL2s) ask about dating and the LI 150 335s. When obtaining tires of this size, I’d recommend buying 8 at once. 4 plus 1 each mounted and unmounted spare to carry on vehicle. 2 more to store indoors so you have 4 new ones for second go-round. I’d guess the Pirellis would wear better than Dunlops, which look like Conti MPT81s. Also, depending on the vehicle, axles and gearing one could always think about 365/80R20 (not recommended for vehicles as light as F550). Don’t even think about 365/85R20; even owners of lighter Unimogs have regretted buying these.
I fantasize about “upgrading” from 395/85R20 to 14.00R20, but I’m rational enough not to do it.

Thanks for your advice. How about F600 + 6:17 [or 5:71] Front & Rear Gear Ratio without swapping the axles + Goodyear G275 365s?

 

[saintnomad]

Unfortunate they are not available in 2022 but a possible blessing in disguise if they are getting allocated to the military. In a few years maybe they will be as easy and cheap to purchase as some the larger sizes now available.

I hope so!

 

[charlieaarons]

Thanks for your advice. How about F600 + 6:17 [or 5:71] Front & Rear Gear Ratio without swapping the axles + Goodyear G275 365s?

What axles? What is original tire size? 365s are 43”, a bit taller than 11R22.5 (would be duals in rear) or 11.00-20.
What I meant in previous comment was putting heavy 365s (~70kg + wheel) on a front Dana 60 (even if “Super”), especially with funny offset is potential trouble. Plus the gearing issue.
No problem on a vehicle designed for bigger tires as long as offset isn’t too different from original. Which can be a problem going from rear duals to singles and keeping wheels interchangeable.

 

[saintnomad]

What axles? What is original tire size? 365s are 43”, a bit taller than 11R22.5 (would be duals in rear) or 11.00-20.
What I meant in previous comment was putting heavy 365s (~70kg + wheel) on a front Dana 60 (even if “Super”), especially with funny offset is potential trouble. Plus the gearing issue.
No problem on a vehicle designed for bigger tires as long as offset isn’t too different from original. Which can be a problem going from rear duals to singles and keeping wheels interchangeable.

Got it. Thank you.

 

[saintnomad]

What axles? What is original tire size? 365s are 43”, a bit taller than 11R22.5 (would be duals in rear) or 11.00-20.
What I meant in previous comment was putting heavy 365s (~70kg + wheel) on a front Dana 60 (even if “Super”), especially with funny offset is potential trouble. Plus the gearing issue.
No problem on a vehicle designed for bigger tires as long as offset isn’t too different from original. Which can be a problem going from rear duals to singles and keeping wheels interchangeable.

Then, is it still a bad idea to go with Dana 80 front steering axle with 11,000 lbs capacity plus front 6:17 gear ratio & rear 6:17 gear ratio what DBL Design offers? [Ford F600 Original Specs: 7500 lbs Front GAWR / 15500 lbs Rear GAWR / 22000 lbs GVWR / 4.88 Gear Ratio]

 

[Darwin]

Have you thought about going with a different chassis? It seems like a lot of unnecessary work. Perhaps the GM/international 55/6500

 

[saintnomad]

Have you thought about going with a different chassis? It seems like a lot of unnecessary work. Perhaps the GM/international 55/6500

No, I have not. Well... Chevy 55/6500 and International CV look so ugly to me What other options do I have? Isuzu Gas, Kenworth K2/370, International MV or HV 607... I'm not sure about these trucks. So far, I want to stick with F600.

 

[180out]

i still run 6 toyos on 19.5s. never have an issue. can air them down to 65 for a nice off road ride, 130 on the hyw for millage. can get them in lots of places and can run one single on the rear should the day get real bad. this set up works fine for me in the CAL.NAV desert where i do most of my off pavement roaming BTW i am 8 tons all wet and loaded!