BIG van seeking 20mpg loaded

[mwilliamshs]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Lose the car tires.

Upgraded to 225/75R16 Load Range E a while back. Had to find and buy 16" wheels first, which wasn't easy. Only came on these vans for 2 years as OE. Had to drive 4 hours to get them.

[oil pan 4]

Very good.
Passenger car tires tend to fail spectacularly on van, truck and suv applications.

[MobilOne]

Good luck with your project. Please keep us informed of your progress and ideas.

[elhigh]

I ran LTs on my Toyota for a few years and dropped about 10% fuel economy that whole time. The truck isn't heavy enough and is rarely heavily loaded enough for me to even worry whether passenger tires are up to the job, and I went back to passenger tires as soon as the LT tires wore out. Got my mileage right back on the next tank.

I'd be interested to see what effect yours have with your van.

[mwilliamshs]

Originally Posted by elhigh

I ran LTs on my Toyota for a few years and dropped about 10% fuel economy that whole time. The truck isn't heavy enough and is rarely heavily loaded enough for me to even worry whether passenger tires are up to the job, and I went back to passenger tires as soon as the LT tires wore out. Got my mileage right back on the next tank.

I'd be interested to see what effect yours have with your van.

I can't quantify the difference since what the van had when I got it was mismatched P235s. It should have had LT235/75R15 XL (extra load). Those are not common anymore and the availability is limited. I wanted a shorter sidewall for stability (this 5k lb pig doesn't even swaybars!) and stiffer sidewalls for stability (higher ply rating) and a commercial tread design for longevity/durability with solid shoulders to improve wear on a twin-I-beam frontend. 16" wheels and load e tires with closed shoulders fit the bill so that's what I got. I agree I may have sacrificed some mileage by going with a heaver tire/wheel package than absolutely necessary. My GVWR, calculated with those 235 XL 15s, is 6,200 lbs. My van empty, with a full gas tank and me in the driver's seat, weights 5,000 lbs. I've hauled 2,000 lbs of cargo in it at least twice with loads of known weights and an unknown number of times with loads of unknown weights. It's used to remodeling and construction jobs as well as just random moving/storage of bulky stuff or things I need dry or locked up securely. I'm more than willing to sacrifice a little mileage by using a more durable component for a heavy-duty work vehicle. Note: OE tires were also LT rated, now a 235 XL is a P-metric size.

New tire load rating: 2,680 lbs @ 80 PSI
OE tire load rating: 2,183 @ 50 PSI (door placard states 44 PSI normal pressure)

By using load tables I've determined my required PSI to meet the 44 PSI oe standard is 56 PSI. I run them at 60 and am very happy with the ride and stability. Load handling is of course, not a concern.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by cosmick

BULL!
My cost "estimates" aren't estimates at all, I go to Pick-N-Pull several times every year, doing these swaps myself for my own vehicles and for my friends. If you won't do the labor or can't choose good parts from a good yard, that's on you, not me.
.

Act like a dxxx very much.......

you are more than welcome to your opinion and thoughts on prices.
AND that might make you 'right' in your little square mile of your world....
But please don't try to impose your narrow knowledge of your neck of the woods as GOSPEL on the whole world....