Question about tubes for 395/85R20s with stock rims.

[Boosted_Nelson_Inc.]

Alright, I've been reading some other posts about mounting 395/85R20s on stock deuce rims, and I'm a not sure which tubes I need. I've seen people saying they used stock 9-20 tubes with these tires, 11-20s, 12.5-20, and 13-20s. What do I need? It seems like the ideal setup would be the 13-20s, but if I can save some cash using smaller tubes, I'd like to. The M35 only gets driven a couple times a month, rarely more than 50 miles a day, and normally less than about 2,500 lbs of cargo. If the only real advantage to larger tubes is increased load carrying ability then it doesn't really matter to me. I just need to be able to go down the road at 55 mph without losing a tire.

Also, my brother and I are fairly mechanically competent, and we'd like to try to mount the tires ourselves. Do we actually need specialty tools or will prybars and hammers get the job done? The local Ag tire place said it'd probably cost about $350 in labor to mount 7 tires.

Thanks

 

[Billy Bobbed]

I called Goodyear about tubes they have them.About $60.00 each.

 

[gimpyrobb]

You will be able to do them yourself with hand tools. The CORRECT tube to use is a 13/14r20 tube, make sure it is a radial rated tube. They are not cheap.

I got mine from here:
http://tireinnertubesforsale.com/

ask for Rusty.

$400 for 7 delivered.

 

[nk14zp]

If you mount them your self be extra safe when you inflate them they can KILL you!!!

 

[Boosted_Nelson_Inc.]

11-20 from a 5 ton

I can get 11-20 tubes from a 5 ton for free (assuming I buy 14-R20s for my 5 ton), because I already have the combat rims for that. So I'll have 11 11-20 tubes sitting around. Couldn't I just use those? Does anyone who did use smaller tubes (9.00-20, 11-20, 12-20) have any problems? Prone to getting flats, poor handling, something like that.

 

[Rossman]

What you are planning sounds like a bad idea...

 

[Bob H]

Radial Tires require radial tubes, use the size recommended for the tire regardless of rim size.

 

[Boosted_Nelson_Inc.]

Oh yeah, I completely forgot about the fact they're radials.

 

[Wolf.Dose]

Radial tires may only use tubes if they are marked TT/TL.
Wolf

 

[rorybellows]

If you mount them your self be extra safe when you inflate them they can KILL you!!!

yes, if yer gonna do it alot make/invest in a tire cage. or in a pinch a heavyish chain bolted to the wall will work

 

[Boosted_Nelson_Inc.]

Ended up just having the local tire shop order me new tubes and they're going to install them. I'd rather have saved the money and done it myself but I just wanted it done now and didn't want to wait. Hope to pick them up in a day or two.

 

[cbvet]

What local tire shop agreed to do them? Did they quote a price?
I'm just south of you in Knox.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[Boosted_Nelson_Inc.]

Shaffners tire in LaPorte Indiana. $350 for 7 tubes and another $200 to swap them over. Might be a little cheaper than that, thats what they told me at most.

 

[cbvet]

Thanks for the info! I'll keep them in mind to do mine.
Eric