Heimbig
Richland, Washington
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Joined: 09/19/2004
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I am planning on installing 245-19.5 XDE-19.5 tires on Vision wheels on my 2005 GMC 2500 HD Crew Cab Duramax.
What will that entail, I am looking at a 2 inch leveling kit as well as rear air bags.
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Matthew_B
The boonies near Dallas, Oregon
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Joined: 08/18/2005
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A co-worker of mine did the same on his 2006 F350. He's real happy with them. He found them to be far better than he expected in the snow.
He had the whole job done at Les Schwab.
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msiminoff
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 12/31/2006
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I have Michelin XDE's on Vision Type 81's and I did not need to make any modifications to my Dodge. Thy look GREAT and don't rub anywhere. I am sure a few other GMC owners will chime in with their results. The wheel & tire upgrade made a HUGE difference in how my truck handles while loaded and for the most part I am very very happy with my purchase. Keep in mind that these particular tires have been discontinued and replaced by the XDS2 so it may be difficult to find a dealer with XDE's in stock.
A couple of other important tidbits;
1- When the XDE's are new they exhibit a LOT of tread squirm. This goes away after a few thousand miles but it can be a bit disconcerting at first.
2- 19.5" tires really benefit from match-mounting. Be sure that your tire shop knows the in's and out's of 19.5 mounting (most don't!). Balanced properly they ride smooth as silk.
3- 19.5 CANNOT be aired down (for driving in sand, etc). This also means that they ride a bit harsher than your 17's do.
FWIW; Due to the tread squirm, my next set of tires (a long time from now) probably won't be Michelins... I think I'll go with the Goodyear G-622RSD's.
Cheers
-Mark
2004 Alpenlite Saratoga 935, 188w solar, RV-30S cntrl, Trojan T125, Prosine 2.0
2005 Ram 3500 QC, Cummins, Vision 19.5 w/Michelin XDE-MS 245's, RR airbags, Torklift w/Superhitch, Roadmaster sway-bar, Thuren trackbar, Rancho RS9000X, Modified bumpstops
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Reddog1
El Dorado, CA (above the fog & below the snow)
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Joined: 03/09/2004
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I also have Michelin XDE's on Vision Type 81's and I did need to make modifications to my 1996 Dodge, due to rubbing. My truck is 2WD. I am not aware of 4WD trucks having any problems.
I did not experience tread squirm. Mine were mounted by Les Schwab. I ask about match-mounting. The store manager told me it was seldom required with these tires, and only done if there was a tire that was difficult to balance. They would match balance them for me for $25 each, as I recall. I did not match balance, and have had no problems.
My only complaint is the road noise. I am getting use to it.
Wayne
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juschuman
Pasadena, CA
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Joined: 05/09/2008
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I am looking into the XDS-2's for my 19.5 visions... Reddog1, were you going from a stock tire to the XDS's? Wondering how bad the road noise is.
Right now I'm running Yokohama Geolander A/T LT285/75R16's, with a fairly aggressive AT tread pattern. Wondering how much worse the noise will be.
I found them at Costco, but they will not install them on my F250, because it is not a "recommended tire" for my truck. Sheesh.
2003 F250SRW 7.3 FX4 Shortbox Crewcab - Vision 81 19.5's / 265 Hankook DH01's - Powerslots / Hawks - Timbrens SES springs / Stable Loads - 2000 Lance 820 - Torklift Superhitch w/Supertruss - Torklifts w/Fastguns - 1988 Circle J 2-Horse BP Straight Load
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juschuman
Pasadena, CA
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Also, it seems like many DRW owners put these on the rear but put slicker tires on the steer wheels, like the XZE... Granted you can't rotate them, but I wonder if this would help with tracking issues.
Then again, I have a 4x4, so while the XDE's and XDS's are made for the drive wheels, TECHNICALLY, all of my wheels are "drive wheels" 
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Reddog1
El Dorado, CA (above the fog & below the snow)
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juschuman wrote:Also, it seems like many DRW owners put these on the rear but put slicker tires on the steer wheels, like the XZE... Granted you can't rotate them, but I wonder if this would help with tracking issues.
When I bought my 19.5's, the store manager stated it was very common to mount the 19.5's that way. Being 4x4, I think you would want to use the same diameter tire.
Wayne
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Hawthorne
Oregon
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Joined: 02/28/2006
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I'm running 265's on the stock-height 4x4 SuperDuty in my signature. It does have the 5200lb front end. Only time I've gotten a rub was bouncing around on cut up packed ice in a snowpark.
Juschuman - Will they just mount the tires on the wheels and load them into your truck?
2004 Ford SRW 6.0 PSD, Gauges, Ranchos, Airbags w/ Cab Controler, 4400lb Rear Springs, Torklift Superhitch & TieDowns,
19.5” Visions w/ 265 Hankook DH01's
2003 Lance 1030, Air, Gen, Etc.
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juschuman
Pasadena, CA
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Hawthorne wrote:Juschuman - Will they just mount the tires on the wheels and load them into your truck?
The one I called said they wouldn't, but that was after they already knew they were for my F250, so my cover was blown. I don't see why they wouldn't if you walked in and said you wanted them for a rig at home that was not able to drive or something like that... so much for being honest 
So you have the 265's? I've been thinking of going with the 245's. Wonder what the advantages/disadvantages are...
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Hawthorne
Oregon
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Joined: 02/28/2006
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Quote:So you have the 265's? I've been thinking of going with the 245's. Wonder what the advantages/disadvantages are.
Sorry if this gets off the OP's question.
I've had a set of both. The 245's were Toyo's. They wore very well and, had they been made in the 265 size, I would have bought another set. That said, the Hankooks have exhibited better traction in mud and snow; then again, that could just be the wider tread profile.
What bothered me most most about 245's on the Vision 7.5" was the side profile. With the 7.5" Vision wheel and the 245 profile, the tire sidewall is not proud of the wheel rim (what would be the bead on a conventional passenger wheel). Besides looking funny, this left the wheel vulnerable to rock, and yes lets face it - curb damage. I believe the recommended tire size for the 7.5" wheel is 265's, with 245/285's as alternates.
I also like how the 265's fill the wheel-wells, especially the rear. The 265's are wider, which besides being more stable, also looks better. I think the 225/245's look a little skinny compared to your typical light truck tire/wheel combo. The 265's also seem easier to find twisted link chains for.
Disadvantages are the comparatively small selection of 265/85's in the 19.5" size. They're also heavier, and obviously larger, which may be a fit problem for some, although I believe you'll find some folks running 285's on trucks with only a leveling kit.
Good luck to all.
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