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Old 10-03-2016, 12:37 PM   #1
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E tires vs P tires

Again, I am hoping to use the wisdom of this group. We currently have a 2015 F-150 Max tow, but it has P rated tires. The truck pulls great going 55 or less. Once I start getting up to 60 or so, I notice the tires feel a little "squishy" It's not sway, but its kind of like the tires are gripping the road but I feel a minor side to side motion. That or when a semi is coming to pass me on the left, if he's going at a good clip to pass, I get a sucking pressure towards him so I tend to compensate by either moving over further away from him or providing wheel pressure the other way to compensate.

By no means is it bad, and it's definitely not trailer sway because the truck and trailer move as one during increased speeds or when being passed by the big boys. So my question is, will E rated tires really help with that, or is it just the nature of the beast when towing 7,500lbs with a 1/2 ton?

My 2010 F-150 is about due for new tires, and the 2015 I use to tow only has about 14K on the tires. Both trucks have 275/65R18 tires so I am thinking of swapping the 14K tires on my 2010, and getting E-rated tires for the 2015. I'd hate to spend over a grand on tires if it's only going to marginally improve the somewhat squishy feel I have right now at highway speeds.

Any recommendations on tires, or ones I should avoid?
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Old 10-03-2016, 03:40 PM   #2
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Get the real LT tires and you will not regret it for your tow vehicle. Like you said , put the "car"tires on the other truck.
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Old 10-05-2016, 12:37 PM   #3
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I had the same set up as you but 20's. I now have an F250. But before changing trucks I put E rated tires and air bags on the F150 and it helped tremendously.
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Old 10-05-2016, 07:47 PM   #4
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I had the same set up as you but 20's. I now have an F250. But before changing trucks I put E rated tires and air bags on the F150 and it helped tremendously.
X2 on the tire and airbag combo. We have 20" wheels on our Sequoia and I swapped out the stock P tires with E rated and added 1,000lb airbags on it and I can honestly say the difference in towing was amazing. I know exactly what you mean when you say it feels "squishy" because I dealt with the same thing the first couple times I pulled our camper before the switch. It never felt unsafe before but now I am steady as a rock as semis pass me (or I pass them ) get 8 ply LT tires at the least, you won't regret it.
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Old 10-06-2016, 06:13 AM   #5
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X2 on the tire and airbag combo. We have 20" wheels on our Sequoia and I swapped out the stock P tires with E rated and added 1,000lb airbags on it and I can honestly say the difference in towing was amazing. I know exactly what you mean when you say it feels "squishy" because I dealt with the same thing the first couple times I pulled our camper before the switch. It never felt unsafe before but now I am steady as a rock as semis pass me (or I pass them ) get 8 ply LT tires at the least, you won't regret it.
Thanks for the info. I think that seals the deal for me! Before we picked up our camper in June I opted for the Roadmaster instead of the airbags, and have to say I love it. I just didn't want to mess with either having an on-board compressor, or having to air up each time I was towing.

Thanks all for your input! It has been really helpful. I just didn't want to spend over a grand on tires, sacrificing the soft ride quality from everyday driving we currently have with the P tires if E tires were going to not noticeably help our towing experience.
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Old 10-06-2016, 08:10 AM   #6
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For towing - load range E will be your best bet - look at some cooper tires - I put on a set two years ago and they are wearing good and work good for towing. Cooper Discoverer A/T3 -

My air bag fill solution - rear bumper area
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Old 10-06-2016, 05:29 PM   #7
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For towing - load range E will be your best bet - look at some cooper tires - I put on a set two years ago and they are wearing good and work good for towing. Cooper Discoverer A/T3 -

My air bag fill solution - rear bumper area
My question is why does everyone go with A/T tires and not H/T???

The only time our princess is off the pavement is when we are hooking up or backing into our campsite. Does the A/T handle better? I would think because of the tread pattern, they would wear quicker. I guess I need to be enlightened/educated.
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Old 10-06-2016, 05:43 PM   #8
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AT will probably wear quicker. Rotate mine every 7000 miles - recommended by the shop that installed them. I am not getting any "excessive" road noise from them.

I need an AT because we can get anywhere from 100 to 250 inches of snow every winter (each winter is a little different) . Live along the south eastern side of Lake Ontario.
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Old 10-07-2016, 01:01 PM   #9
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On my 2014 Tundra, I went with the Michelin MS2s in an E rating. Made a noticeable difference. Also went from 32" diameter to 34".
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Old 10-12-2016, 02:27 PM   #10
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My question is why does everyone go with A/T tires and not H/T???.
Not everyone here. No need for all terrain here is So Cal.

Also, the feel you described is the draft/side draft created due to pressure changes when big rigs push so much air. I too feel it very noticeably when pulling my rig with LT tires, etc.
Some say they notice a difference But don't be fooled into thinking that pretty much goes away...it doesn't.
Agree that more stable tires will help and will improve the safety issues but just like NASCAR, the side draft works really well for them to manipulate airflow.
Upgrading from P tires is a must when the max air pressure is usually about 44 lbs vs LT's at 80 psi due to tire construction. That helps to stabilize.
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Old 10-13-2016, 09:33 AM   #11
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E vs P Tires

Quote:
Originally Posted by NorskeNY View Post
For towing - load range E will be your best bet - look at some cooper tires - I put on a set two years ago and they are wearing good and work good for towing. Cooper Discoverer A/T3 -

My air bag fill solution - rear bumper area

The Cooper discover looks like a good tire for the money. I am looking at the AT/3 or HT /3. If you are pulling a 5th wheel, what is your pin weight?
I am very concerned about load rating on tires. Especially rear tires on my F250.
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