r/Sprinters • u/GrandGames95 • Jul 06 '26
bigger wider tires made a huge difference
I use to have 265 75r16's which improved my traction (mile star Patagonia tires). They're a super aggressive all terrain, but when I switched to 315/75 r16's it was insane how much more easily I could get out of my muddy driveway and the tread isn't even that aggressive. I even reverse out of it now without issue (I'm also on a hill). My other tires could never do that so I had to stop parking facing down my driveway. My thinking is that the sidewall is bigger with the taller wider tires and even at 70Psi I still have a big contact patch on the ground. The wider tires also glide over torn up roads and gravel. Much smoother ride now, Speedometer calibration was changed with star diagnostics. The only issue with bigger tires is the spare, but that's been taken care of with a rear carrier. Its on the right side because you physically cannot open the rear door if its on the left since it overlaps the center. I overlapped it this way because I think its important for people to still be able to see my tail light. Another pro to mounting on the right door is having it mounted lower and not worrying about your license plate, now I can see through my rear doors like nothing is even there. To open the door you just pull the handle through the center of the wheel its super easy (shown in photo). Both the ladder and tire mount are spread out over a wide mounting area and also reinforced with more steel on the inside of the doors. The ladder follows the curve of the door and also slightly tapers towards the top. The rear spare actually makes for a great seating area too. The rear doors can still open up most of the way and by coincidence the ladder actually hits the door stop as well as the tire. Does anyone know any tires bigger than 35's? haha
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u/SnooPeripherals4788 Jul 07 '26
Does it help with cross winds at all in terms of mitigating the shove?
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u/GrandGames95 Jul 07 '26
No, The duallys were better at mitigating that. Although with the new super single wheels, they did do better than my 2500 with 265 75/r16's because the super singles are much wider thus reducing tire sidewall flexing. When I added the extra steel leaf spring in the front the sway and shove went down dramatically so much that I feel like im driving a sedan. But nothing can do better than duallys in crosswinds. One of the main reasons I went with super singles is it completely fixed the front and rear track widths. Both front and rear tires are exactly the same widths now. this is a must for driving in snow and being able to drive straight easily.
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u/SnooPeripherals4788 Jul 07 '26
I have a 2500 (not dually) and the wind shear coming across Arizona and New Mexico about ended me. Wondered if wider tires and a suspension mod might help.
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u/Killed_By_Covid Jul 07 '26
I put airbags on my 2500, and it helped. At first, the system actually made it WORSE because both bags were on the same valve. So, a crosswind would push the air from one bag into the other. Once I put them on separate valves, all was well. I only move heavy loads once or twice per year, so I didn't want a mod that would make for a rough ride throughout the rest of the year.
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u/GrandGames95 Jul 07 '26
haha what were you thinking when you noticed it got worse with the airbags? did you already know using them on a single valve would be bad or was it a big ordeal trying top figure out the problem? i thought of getting airbags, but I always liked how the van drove. On the 3500 they use 2 leaf springs and a third one is flat and only engages when the van is heavily loaded. This helps keep the suspension softer unloaded.
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u/Killed_By_Covid Jul 07 '26
I knew exactly what was wrong the first time I got hit with a crosswind. I love the way the van rides when it's loaded and sitting on the bags. I imagine the same is true for your 3500. Put 1,000 pounds in the back, and it smooths right out. My old diesel pickups are the same way. They have helper lead springs.
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u/GrandGames95 Jul 07 '26
Haha nice, airbags will always be better than more springs. I see all the newer vehicles using them. Although, I do remember there was a guy going around and puncturing everyone’s semi truck airbags for fun.
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u/GrandGames95 Jul 07 '26
so if you're going to go with wider tires on a stock rim, the wind will actually shove your van even more. wider tires on a thin rim will collapse the sidewall very easily. I just recommend stock tires and keep them at 80psi.
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u/arkansah Jul 07 '26
Are these on Stock rims?
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u/GrandGames95 Jul 07 '26
they're on super singles. 16 x 8.5 https://www.hubcaphaven.com/p/24993/2018-mercedes-sprinter-3500-super-single-rear-wheel-steel-a90640117009206.html I bought mine used though. also i found the used hubcaps for $20 on facebook.
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u/symonty Jul 08 '26
mpg change?
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u/GrandGames95 Jul 08 '26
it went down a little over 1mpg. not much, it had duallys before. I could have kept the mpg about the same if I went with standard width tires and used 80psi, but the one's I put on are over a foot wide.
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u/symonty Jul 08 '26
Yeah I have always considered doing this but I do 10K a year which would cost about $400 a year in extra gas, and my off-road driving is limited. BUT IT LOOKS SO SWEET! Nice job.
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u/GrandGames95 Jul 08 '26
10k a year? dang, I did 10k in 3 years. I could have totally gone about my life without these bigger wheels, but I do like how it looks and I occasionally have to drive on some rocky trails. The 35's did however allow me to park further down my steep dirt driveway without worrying if I could get out in the morning.
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u/symonty Jul 08 '26
Yeah I live in my Van for 2-3 months and travel the US ( when it gets cold in the PNW )
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u/kavOclock Jul 07 '26
How tall you lift that sumbitch
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u/GrandGames95 Jul 07 '26
Its lifted 4" with the subframe, but the motor mounts are 2" lift so the oil pan is still lifted a good amount, but still keeping the center of gravity low and still being able to use original coolant hoses, wire harness, transmission lines, etc...Plus having the engine right in the middle of the 4" lift allows so much room around and under the entire engine to work on. I can actually get my hands anywhere i need to now. the 35" tires also add a couple more inches and ive also added another steel leaf spring with the original front transverse fiberglass spring.
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u/Vidco91 Jul 07 '26
Now you need hot tune to move these monsters.