Dually tire replacement question - Ford Forums

netwayne · 10-14-2009, 02:24

I have a '04 F350 dually that I am thinking about tire replacement on. Am thinking I would like to just replace 4 of the 6 and put the 2 best of the current tires on the inside of the rear axle. Ok to do or not recommended? Also, any tire brand/model recommendations? This truck's primary function is towing a 3 horse gooseneck trailer.

Thanks!

**jwko** · 10-14-2009, 03:15

I don't see why you couldn't run the 2 best on the inside rears. But it would be better to replace all 6 so you will have a fresh even start.

Have a look at our sponsor, Discount Tire. They currently have several promotions going on Current Promotions - Discount Tire they have GREAT prices and offer free shipping on every order.

You can also read reviews on tires that are recommended for your vehicle. Just enter your vehicle info, click on Shop Tires and a list will come up that are sized specifically for your F350.

We've got a 05 F350 4WD & been running Firestone Transforce HT. It's an all season tire and seems to be wearing very well. We have around 35k on them and still have plenty of tread. I expect we will make it to 50k. Firestone Transforce HT with Uni-T

**360ci** · 10-14-2009, 16:22

Run the best two tires on the front (providing they're not retreads which are illegal to run on steering axle; a lot of people are cost cutting with light commercial vehicles these days). I'd replace the drive tires, all four to keep the diameters the same. Why? The main reason is safety, and the second is, is that I'm sure if the DOT ever did a roadside inspection, they'd notice it right away. Running old, worn tires with new inside tires allows the outside tires to get minimal load, putting say, 85% of the payload on the inside tires, which of course can lead to excessive heat buildup and premature tire failure. Airing down the newer tires to match the diameter of the old tires is also a bad practice, as it lowers maximum payload (not significantly mind you) and can make for some interesting handling if the pressures get too low.

As for tires, there are quite a few available. If I'm not mistaken Toyo has a H/T tire for the dually trucks. You can also check out Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels for tire reviews on nearly any tire that's out there.

netwayne · 10-15-2009, 11:19

Hey thanks for the replies, guys. I appreciate the insights. I hadn't thought about the tire diameter issue especially in a dually situation where I can see it would cause an imbalance. I also didn't know about retreads on a steering axle but that makes sense, too. I have never dealt with a retread and probably never will. I hope the big truckers are adhering to that law! Also, with what we are towing, I don't want any tire problems.

Well, I am definitely leaning towards just replacing all 6 but I still may go with just the rears. I need to start pricing them out and figuring out what the damage is going to be. I just did tirerack for a set of 4 on another vehicle. Getting them installed tomorrow. That's my 2nd time with them and it seems to be a good deal.

netwayne · 10-15-2009, 11:23

I forgot to mention that the OEM tires on there now are Generals and there is some dry rot starting to happen. Somebody said that is common with those tires. I just wonder about the tires being 5+ years old if that is the real reason.

**360ci** · 10-15-2009, 18:18

I'm certain General Tire has fixed a lot of their problems that they've had over the last ten years. If the front tires still have adequate tread, I'd leave them alone and just buy four new rears.

The purpose of retread is to save tire shells that would otherwise go to a landfill. For the most part, drive tires will wear evenly enough that that they can be retreaded with minimal fuss. The downside, is that if the shop doesn't adhere the retread properly onto the old shell, the retread can come off, which is what you would see along the side of the highway. The tire doesn't necessarily blow as some people think, the retreaded part heats up the glue (or however they keep it on the shell) if the vehicle runs at higher than normal speeds (over 75mph) or it runs overloaded or loaded improperly. There are a lot of factors for failure, but heat is the most common. Retreads are illegal on steering axles for this reason, the tires have to be fail-safe; or at least as safe as possible. All retreads are generally stamped with a symbol or design on the sidewall (could also be a sticker which is generally green), so the DOT/MTO can easily spot a retreaded tire. On some tires, the retread is installed poorly enough that you'll be able to see the seam of where the retread was attached to the shell.

Back to General Tire.... My '99 Taurus SE came from the showroom/factory with basic, everyday General Tires. I looked them up online at the time and they were a mid-model in their tire line so I left them on, as I haven't heard anything good, or bad about them since the brand was relatively new to me at the time. After 90,000kms or roughly 60K, they wore evenly with rotations every 6K, however, brown spots were a common sight, and one of the front tires had two mumps in the sidewall that were quite noticeable. I had originally thought the tire was flat as the mump was on the bottom making it look worse. After checking the pressure and adding a few PSI, I found out that it was indeed a bump on the sidewall. It still drove fine but that's when I replaced them. Useable tread was 3/32 still, so I could have pushed for 70K wear, but safety came first and I had them replaced.

Also, you'll have to check with your state on this one, but I know in Canada, most vehicles that have dual rear wheels are considered "a truck for commercial use". It's a bit controversial as a lot of dually trucks are used for personal use, you know, to get groceries and go visit the folks. So the MTO/DOT doesn't pull them over for not going through a scale when the lights are on to do so. However, commercial vehicles (class 6/7/8 for sure in Ontario) have to have the front (steer) tires replaced when they have 4/32" of tread left, and the rear tires can run until they hit the wear bars but cannot go under 2/32" of tread, or one can get fined.