Stance/Wheels/Tires/Tow Dilemna

['02 H-D #677]

OK. The scenario is:

Truck stance is currently 0/3. Had JJ .357’s with Toyo Proxes 305/40-22. Changed wheels to Millanni 554 – Valkyrie with same tires. Tires clear under the front at stock height. I want to go lower to a 2/5 stance but want to maintain towing capacity (occasionally tow 6K lb. boat/trailer and 3.7K enclosed 3-bike trailer). I do plan on Airlift helper bags on the rear. I know that 30% sidewall will not deliver needed tow capacity. A 35% sidewall will be marginal for 6K.

Question 1: Will 285/35-22 clear under a 2” front drop?

Question 2: Is 35% just too “slim” for what I need?

Question 3: Should I just put the stock wheels and stock size Proxes back on it with the stance I want? (I know this would deliver tow requirements)

What do y’all think?

[N2BOOST]

not possitive but I thought stock towing capacities were only 4500 think I read that somewhere?

['02 H-D #677]

Yeah, they say it's like 4550 or something like that due to the tires/wheels. That's why I went with super huge 305/40. In order to get the tires under the front I needed to leave it at stock height. But I really want it lower! ... that's the dilemna! The truck will pull substantially more than the rated tow capacity if it were not for the 275/45-20's. I guess I could get a second set of regular E load F-150 tires/wheels for when I tow?! ... lot of hassle to change tire/wheels just to tow the boat occasionally during the summer months?!

[2002GreyHD150]

Lee... I can tell you what I wnet through & why the air ride os off my truck permanently...

I ahve Acero Megastars 20" x 9.5" 1/4 more offset to the outside of the truck 295/45/20's. with the hotchkiss, the front rubbed on big dips & rail road tracks. when I finally got the Air Ride all sorted out the wheels stuck the tires out too far & the bed hit the side walls.

2/5 is going to be 275's especially if you are going with 22"s & then you will want that 45 aspect if at all possible. so its going to get hectic & pricey. All of the Air Ride guys are going to 265's The 285 will be very close. out back is not a problem... maybe run staggard sizes? I am running 295 out back & 275 up front now with the hotchkiss.

Rob W

['02 H-D #677]

Rob,

That's what I have been thinkin' ... also why I been thinkin' it's probably just best to go back to the stock wheels and size of tires. Think I'm gonna try that first (after the drop) before I go out buying new tires for the 22's. If it works out OK, then I've got a buddy with an L that has wanted the Milanni 22's since he first saw 'em!

[edit: Rob, I really don't want to do staggered tires ... thought about it though!]

[Harley#356]

got any pics of your current setup?

['02 H-D #677]

Josh,

I might. Will look through 'em tomorrow. If not, I can take some this weekend. The Milanni wheels look sweet ... very much like the stockers (split five-spoke) but much more "shaped/smoothed/stylized".