New Tow Vehicle tires

jmnsn57 · 07-30-2019, 05:20 PM

It's becoming time to replace the tires on my 2011 Chevy 1500 4 WD short box regular cab with 30K miles. They are currently P265-70x17 Wrangler AT/S. I have a porpoising problem when trailering that I have been battling on rare road conditions since I purchased this unit. I would like to upgrade to a LT, Load range C, or 115 class tire. Do you experienced folks think this would help? I want stiffer sidewalls that I think might alleviate the problem. I also love the P rated tires for their grip characteristics here in Northern NY during our annual winter trials! Any advice is greatly appreciated.

660catman · 07-30-2019, 06:28 PM

I replaced my P rated tires with LT rated Michelin LTX AT2’s. Best thing I did for handling. Load range is E. Ride quality will suffer a bit but I’d rather tow with ease than white knuckle it. I have 154k kilometres on those tires. I will replace before winter as tread is around 5mm now.

**mark5w** · 07-30-2019, 07:00 PM

I'd go with the LT's. I would also add on either a Roadmaster active suspension https://activesuspension.com/ or a pair of airbags to help with the load. The Roadmaster will help with front to back and side to side bouncing.

Russb · 07-30-2019, 07:44 PM

Just took my first trip with new LT tires, Cooper. Noticeable improvement.Much more stable, no buffeting from passing 18 wheelers. I previously switched to Goodyear Endurance tires for the RV.

**dagst1** · 07-30-2019, 08:13 PM

You will not be disappointed with the LT tires. P or passenger tires are not rated for heavy towing. As to brand 6 of one and a half dozen of the other. I run Cooper Discoverer AT3 and have had good luck with them.

jmnsn57 · 07-31-2019, 02:27 PM

Thanks all.
Mark5w - I added coilovers per a family member suggestion - helped a bit.
Dagst1 - What rating on LT3's? there are at least 2 different load ratings I have found.
RussB - What model Coopers and what load rating?

The weights on my trailer are 4812# dry with a GVW of 7598#. I am at 6200# loaded. Tongue weight is 800# loaded - 13%. Weight distribution is 2 dangling links and right on level.

I am really wanting to avoid 10 ply for the Rochester winters and am hoping there is a 6 ply equivalent in one of your suggestions. Load range C or 115 are kind of where I'm at unless you good folks all agree that E's are the only real good choice.

**Lloyd** · 07-31-2019, 02:46 PM

I'm running LT's also. (10 ply)
You don't have to pump them up to 80# when you are not hauling or towing It just isn't necessary. If you drop the pressure down when running empty, it will really help in the winter. Give a better ride also. Granted, it probably won't be like your P rated tires, but it will be a lot better then running around with 80# in them. Is your truck 4 wheel drive? If so, you might have to use it a little more in the winter.

**dagst1** · 07-31-2019, 02:59 PM

My truck came with and calls for load range E tires. As stated you do not have run them at 80 psi. My 2500hd calls for 60 in the front and 72 in the rear. My 5th wheel puts over 2000# in the bed and the Cooper tires ride good when loaded. Empty it rides like a truck. But with the crew cab and a long bed its not too bad.

Just a side note the cooper tires do very good in our Mo. snow.

Russb · 07-31-2019, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmnsn57

Thanks all.
Mark5w - I added coilovers per a family member suggestion - helped a bit.
Dagst1 - What rating on LT3's? there are at least 2 different load ratings I have found.
RussB - What model Coopers and what load rating?

The weights on my trailer are 4812# dry with a GVW of 7598#. I am at 6200# loaded. Tongue weight is 800# loaded - 13%. Weight distribution is 2 dangling links and right on level.

I am really wanting to avoid 10 ply for the Rochester winters and am hoping there is a 6 ply equivalent in one of your suggestions. Load range C or 115 are kind of where I'm at unless you good folks all agree that E's are the only real good choice.

Cooper Discover AT3, 265/60/R18 load E Discount Tire was the best price in my area.

Papa-T · 08-01-2019, 07:31 AM

Just put new Michelins 265 70/R17’s on my 2500 yesterday. I only use my big truck to tow the 5er. The rest of the time it stays in the garage. I have to admit I hadn’t kept the tires rotated. So when I had the old ones taken off. We noticed a little wear on the inside of the front tires and the rear tires had been more worn flat. So, front end alignment scheduled for Monday and tires will be rotated like they should be from now on.

**DavisK** · 08-02-2019, 08:20 AM

Like everyone else, I also recommend LT tires. My 2500HD came with 10-ply load range E. I keep my tires at 60 psi front and 70 psi in the rear. Of course, when empty it rides like a truck. I bought it to be a truck, not to ride like a car.

JDCWI · 08-08-2019, 02:24 PM

Goodyear Duratrac

jmnsn57 · 08-08-2019, 04:28 PM

Thanks to all for your advice and experiences. I am having 4 Kuhmo AT51's (load range E) mounted on Saturday morning. Our trek from NY to VT to NH to ME to MA and home again will tell the tale.

Keithdodge2001 · 08-08-2019, 06:01 PM

10 ply to stop the sway

jmnsn57 · 08-12-2019, 02:53 PM

Not trying to fix sway keithdodge 2001. It's not my problem. Porpoising is.

A question for the masses. New tires came inflated to door tag spec by installer that is for original P rated tires - 36 psi. Rode like originals - kinda nice. I inflated to 60 psi to compare. Rides like a truck with 10 ply. But that's what I expected. Question is will running at original pressure cause overheating of tire? I suspect so. And is 60 psi good enough when towing? Tongue weight of trailer is about 800 lbs.

Russb · 08-12-2019, 03:53 PM

My tire dealer said to go by the door sticker which was 35. I bumped it up to 40-45 for towing with excellent results.

660catman · 08-12-2019, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmnsn57

Not trying to fix sway keithdodge 2001. It's not my problem. Porpoising is.

A question for the masses. New tires came inflated to door tag spec by installer that is for original P rated tires - 36 psi. Rode like originals - kinda nice. I inflated to 60 psi to compare. Rides like a truck with 10 ply. But that's what I expected. Question is will running at original pressure cause overheating of tire? I suspect so. And is 60 psi good enough when towing? Tongue weight of trailer is about 800 lbs.

Towing I run 60 up front and 65 in the rear with an 858 lb tongue weight. Empty I will run 50 all around. Max on my tires is 80 psi. Michelin LTX AT2 LT rated.

jmnsn57 · 08-28-2019, 12:16 PM

1550 miles on the new Kuhmo AT51's. Set tire pressure to 50 psi for the trip. Man do they ride hard. I am lowering them to 40psi and try out around town for a bit and then use that pressure for next trip. Hard to say if they made any difference. I can say we endured 30 mph side winds from Albany to Rochester and while there were a few significant sway events the truck and trailer recovered nicely. Don't know if that would have happened with P rated tires.

A short word about the state of the roads throughout our swing through NY, VT, NH ME, and MA. Wow are there some very poor stretches everywhere. Poorly done bridge expansion seams, crumbling asphalt, and NY has found a way to do a concrete roadway that will shake out your fillings out due to the porpoising I get. These new concrete sections is the only surface that causes my problem. These conditions made for very stressful road days.

Keithdodge2001 · 08-28-2019, 12:40 PM

For about 3 years I Ran P236/70/17 Cooper HT. And at 35 lbs it road like a Dream but with a 5 the wheel I went to LT Firestone and yes it fixed like a buck board but for my own happy feeling I do feel safer the (,P's) really were worked hard on the sidewalk That is why I found that 10 ply are a better deal. Don't need a blowout ...that would suck

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