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Dodge Wheels on the Front [message #81453] Thu, 22 April 2010 10:46 Go to previous message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma:
Senior Member
Okay Guys,

I did something unusual. Not unique. Not revolutionary. Not even new. Just different.

Background: Before I even bought my coach, I did some research into the traction issues these GMCs have. One of the reasons I wanted a Motorhome was for my annual trip to Southeastern California's Imperial Sand Dunes. To get to our preferred camping area, we have to negotiate a sandy, loose,gravel road. This has not really been much of a problem, but I can't go as far back the road as I used to and have to be really careful to not get into the really soft stuff. Add to this the fact that I am towing a trailer with a Jeep on it with a total weight of about 3,800 pounds. I have consistently gotten stuck when I have pulled off the road into the dirt campsite.

I talked to, and e-mailed various people and found out that some have run wider tires on the front (Jim B. on Larry for instance), so I knew it was possible. I also saw, on The photo site, a coach with 16" X 8" Dodge truck wheels all the way around:

<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=8352&cat=3731>

It just so happened that Dan G. was parked a few coaches from that coach at GMCMI-Dothan. I asked Dan to ask the owner about them and he said they worked well, so I kept a look out for a set of them on Craig's List. In very short order, I found a set that were in very good condition for a fair price, bought them and split the set with another GMCer.

After doing extensive research, I narrowed down my choices of tires using the following criteria:
As low profile as I could find (closest to the 225/75R16)
Would have to fit on an 8" rim
Relatively wide tread
Able to handle the weight.
Here is what I found:

<http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=33298&title=dodge-front-wheels&cat=3>

There are five photos.

Here are the specs on the tires:

<http://www.jackfurriers.com/productdetail.htm?productId=10693050&catalogId=321&width=255&height=70&diameter=16>

I just put the wheels on the coach last night and took the pics this morning, so I haven't had a chance to drive it yet. I'm confident it will improve the overall handling characteristics of the coach and provide more traction in the loose stuff. My next mod will be to install one of Jim K's 3.70 posi final drives.

I'll let you know the results as soon as I'm able to get it out on the road and go for a test drive.

Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

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