19.5 wheels

[trackspeeder]

I've got a set of Hyrail rims I've thought of installing on my rig. I've really thought about it a lot. I understand the concept of getting better mileage. I understand the concept of getting more life out of the tires. I understand the cool (to me) factor. Here's the rub.

1. I've heard Calvin mention that the 4 wheel 450's eat 19.5 front tires like there's no tomorrow. I would imagine that to be similar to a 250 or 350 with a D60. Maybe Chris can weigh in on this.

2. At roughly $225-$250/tire lasting 100,000 - 120,000 miles You can almost buy 2 sets of 235/85R16 that will last half that long each. I don't really consider this to be getting more miles for the money.

3. If you ever had tire problems on the road, you're a lot more likely to find 16" rubber than 19.5" rubber.

I got a heck of a deal on the hyrail rims, so I'm not really out much for the rims. You fellas buying new 19.5 rims are looking at over $2,000 for rims. They say the mileage increase is 1-2 mpg. You're better off using 2 grand to get an overdrive tranny and save mileage that way.

Just my thoughts,

Paul

The only time the hyrailer will eat tires is when it hits the ground. Darn joint bars and bad spikes will do numbers on the tires. As for wear. Make sure the front end alignment is correct. They will easily out last a 235/R16 tire.

 

[harrisford]

i thought i saved the page on my favorites but i cant find it. crap. there goes my in.(205) 595-2453 i think. im not sure im gonna have to do some digging tommorow

 

[tuckerd1]

For all the guys that bought their wheels from rickson, i talked to the guy from ealge's in LA and he said that rickson buys the rims from them at $150 a peice.

i thought i saved the page on my favorites but i cant find it. crap. there goes my in.(205) 595-2453 i think.

FUNNY! LA in the first quote and area code 205 in the second quote. 205 is an Alabama area code. Is that LA = Lower Alabama??!!

 

[troupp]

not to sound dumb, but what is a hyrailer?

 

[RedTruck]

I'll let Track Speeder answer what a hyrail setup is. I think he's got a picture of one.

As for the fronts wearing out, I would tend to agree with the masses here. I've just seen Calvin mention on a few different occasions that he's seen some problems.

No doubt the truck tires would outlast a set of 235/85R16's. But you're getting pretty close to equal with two sets of 235/85R16's to one truck tire.

How do the 19.5's behaved in ice and snow conditions?

Chris, if I've never mentioned it before...you're rig is the bomb man Old school power...new school ride.

I know I'm sounding a little bit like a nay sayer. I really do think the 19.5 are the cat's a$$. I'm just playing devils advocate here.

Paul

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

not to sound dumb, but what is a hyrailer?

Tia a vehicle or piece of equipments that has been equipped with rail wheels allowing it to run on the rails that utilizes the vehicles own drivetrain to motor along.

 

[trackspeeder]

not to sound dumb, but what is a hyrailer?

Hy-rail is a Fairmont trade name for a set of railroad wheels that mount to a vehicle. So a hyrail truck is basicly a pickup truck that can be driven on railroad tracks. When your done riding the rails you can fold the gear up and drive down the road.

The easy life for track repair.

 

[troupp]

Oh, I've seen these before, just didn't realize they were called a hyrailer. also didn't know that they had 19.5s on them, I might have a source for some of these. I'll have to check. the offset on those looks horrible for a 4wd, but could you reverse them?

 

[RedTruck]

They use a 90° tapered lug nut, so they can't be reversed.

Paul

 

[harrisford]

I cant find that AE wheels #. im gonna keep try tho cause that was an awsome connection.

 

[u2slow]

I went with 19.5's on my E350 SRW because it was getting scary-heavy for the stock 10/E tires. The chassis would have fit DRW's no problem... but the body wasn't. It would have meant gutting the van and hacking up the floor for wider inner fenders. That led me to getting only a pair of 19.5's for the back.

The 225/70 and 245/70 tires are the cheapest. I got my 245s for $240 CDN each. They are 16/H rated and good for 4805 pounds. They are on the Vision 81s from Rickson. (4500# rated)