Worried about legal issues with "lighter" tires on my F-350

[SwampSurvivor]

Got my truck back and it's ready for tires. Only half tread but the tires were installed in 2015. It also spent the last 18 months sitting so they're a bit shaky on the highway now.

Factory size is LT265/75R16 rated for around 3400 pounds each.
I like skinny tires and want to run a LT235/85R16 on it, rated for aroud 3000 each.

I can't imagine a scenario where I'm at 6800 pounds on the rear axle; I don't drag fifth wheels around and i'm pretty sure the truck would break in half anyway. I also can't realistically see myself having 6000 pounds on the rear axle.

Anyone think I'd have a bad time with ambulance chasers?

 

[burbguy82]

Got my truck back and it's ready for tires. Only half tread but the tires were installed in 2015. It also spent the last 18 months sitting so they're a bit shaky on the highway now.

Factory size is LT265/75R16 rated for around 3400 pounds each.
I like skinny tires and want to run a LT235/85R16 on it, rated for aroud 3000 each.

I can't imagine a scenario where I'm at 6800 pounds on the rear axle; I don't drag fifth wheels around and i'm pretty sure the truck would break in half anyway. I also can't realistically see myself having 6000 pounds on the rear axle.

Anyone think I'd have a bad time with ambulance chasers?

Sure. Lawyers can spin anything, but that is why we have insurance.

You have E load range tires correct? Drive on and dont worry about it. If you ever do load to the max, make sure you are at 80psi ice cold, and drive like a responsible human and not a retarded monkey.

Actually load weights vary amongst tires, but as long as you are in the E load range, you are good.

 

[IndyIan]

Practically no problems, if you don't over load them. I'm pretty sure if you look up your highway traffic laws, you need to at least match the factory tire load capacity. I guess tires are an easy thing to look at if lawyers are trying to find some sign of negligence, but I don't know how they would prove a slightly under rated tire would make a difference in any accident that wasn't obviously caused by a blowout, if you are loaded way under the tire capacity?

 

[Timmastertech]

not sure on NY state laws but that is an inspection rejection in pennsylvania. Tire size on a vehicle may not be smaller or of lower load rating than original equipment

 

[CKN]

" I like skinny tires". Translation - " They area cheaper"....

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

" I like skinny tires". Translation - " They area cheaper"....

And get better mpg, better snow traction, and better wet traction. They can even grant better off road grip. They make sense on trucks where tight handling in corners is not usually a priority.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

" I like skinny tires". Translation - " They area cheaper"....

If I could fit a much more expensive 255/85R16 on it, I'd run that size. With the low deck of the flatbed I'm having made, I don't want to go much over the factory 32'' diameter.

In snow and most situations that aren't a bottomless mud pit (this isn't an off road toy), skinny tires work better.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

And get better mpg, better snow traction, and better wet traction. They can even grant better off road grip. They make sense on trucks where tight handling in corners is not usually a priority.

Or, ones where the payload actually needs them... Like the OP's

 

[Bighorn2500]

I ran skinny snow tires for six years during the winter months. LT235/80R17 “E” Rated @ 3000lbs in place of LT265/70R17 “E” Rated @ 3195lbs without issue.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

Or, ones where the payload actually needs them... Like the OP's

I was explaining in general why skinnier tires can be desirable for some use cases.

OP is in a weird position with very limited sizes available. There’s no 255 option, for example.

 

[c502cid]

I switched to 235/85/16 on everything, including my trailers. Works for me. I think the OP will be ok.

 

[CapriRacer]

As someone who has been involved with accident investigation and litigation, here's how this will go down.

If there is an accident, an investigator will notice the difference in tire size. Yes, that will be something they will notice. The insurance company will deny coverage based on improper parts.

My advice would be not to do this. It could get really expensive.

 

[CKN]

As someone who has been involved with accident investigation and litigation, here's how this will go down.

If there is an accident, an investigator will notice the difference in tire size. Yes, that will be something they will notice. The insurance company will deny coverage based on improper parts.

My advice would be not to do this. It could get really expensive.

Wouldn't they pay out and then cancell?

 

[CKN]

And get better mpg, better snow traction, and better wet traction. They can even grant better off road grip. They make sense on trucks where tight handling in corners is not usually a priority.

You mentioned gas mileage and truck in the same sentence....

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

You mentioned gas mileage and truck in the same sentence....

Tire width, and by extension, weight, rolling resistance, and wind resistance can have a significant impact on truck fuel economy.

The fuel economy of a truck can change by roughly 10-30% just by changing tire width and model (even when keeping diameter constant). For this reason some people try to get every factor working in their favor.

Also, mpgs are an unintuitive nonlinear measurement system. The 3 mpg from going from 18 mpg to 15 mpg, for example, might not seem like much, but you’ll pay 17% more at the pump and cut your range on a 21 gal tank from 378 mi to 315 mi.

 

[camrydriver111]

Unless your insurance policy explicitly or implicitly forbids it it should be ok.

Here is the NY state inspection procedure for tires. Original size or load rating is not checked.

Tires
1. Tire tread depth readings shall be taken in
two adjacent major grooves showing the
most tread wear. Readings for a tire
which has the tread design running across
the tire or for a siped tire where such tread
design is permitted, shall be taken at or
near the center of the tire. Inspect all tires
mounted on vehicles (do not inspect spare
tire).
2. Inspect for breaks or cuts.
3. Inspection for bumps, bulges or knots.
4. Inspect for any ply or cord structure that is exposed.
5. Visually inspect for restricted usage marking on tires.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and buy the factory size for it.