Changing out 16.5 tires....

[Julie Houser]

Hi All-

   I might get this right yet - though I apologize for posting a question on the main page.   I just bought a little 1977 Dodge that has newer 16.5 tires.  I know this tire size is harder and harder to come by (heard they have been discontinued??)- my question is that when I go to change the tires out, can I merely put 16s on the rims, or will I have to change out the hubs too?  Might get even more expensive someday....  Your input is appreciated.  thanks

 

Julie

[John "T" Nordhoff]

  BTDT   Been there done that n' got the T Shirt

 

 NO you CAN NOT put 16 inch tires on those 16.5 wheels

 

 HOWEVER, You can buy new or used 16 inch wheels with the same 8 lug bolt pattern (like many 1 ton trucks use) quite easy n not too expensive. Check at local salvage yards (where they have salvage one ton trucks) and tire shops (can get a new set of 16 inch wheels for one ton trucks) for a set of 16 inch wheels to fit your rig then buy new 10 ply Load Range E 16 inch tires.

 

  Sure this is gonna cost some bucks, but consider the alternative????????  If you break down on the road finding a 16.5 tire is very tough while 16's are common as apple pie, I RECOMMEND CHANGING WHEELS N TIRES TO 16 INCH. If you dont wanna spend the bucks, at least get a new or like new 16.5 spare tire n wheel to carry and keep all tires inflated to the labeled "max load at X PSI" air pressure which is like 65 PSI for 8 ply or 80 PSI for 10 ply tires. NOTE on RV's after 5 or 6 years, ESPECIALLY if they set in the sun, the tires start to weather crack n dry rot (even if tread is fine) and that can get you killed dead !!!!!!!!! 

 

  Best wishes, travel safe....

 

  John T 

[Julie Houser]

Thanks- your input makes everyday safety sense~

 

Julie

[0ic943wdlq63y]

you ought to see the serious dry rot on my sterring tires on my old beast . I'm afraid to drive it down the driveway . Grouches me up too . The tread is like brand hammer new but the sideways are .... well , I wonder how they even hold air . Time to shop around and my old gal has those getting hard to find , 8X19.5's as well . GGGGRRRR .

BE SAFE ABOVE ALL THINGS ! It's hard to have fun when dead !

 

[terry]

Julie,

    I just went through the whole tire thing. There are still 8.00 x 16.5 bias plys out there. You will have to deal with a commercial tire store, but you can also change to 8.75 X 16.5 radials. The 8.75 size replaced the 8.00. They will fit tighter but will work. I ended up with 8.75 on the rear and two 8.00 on the front, found  the 8.00 in new york by the mechanic who worked on my RV