Towing Tires?

[sack1]

I tow a relatively heavy 5th wheel. My '03 2500HD w/ 8.1 has a bit over 70k on it and I'm pushing the end of life on its 3rd set of tires. Of primary concern is tread life but realize that towing will reduce this quite a bit. What have any of you experienced that might help?

Also, I went to 265/75-16 tires from the OE 245's, should I adjust inflation some because of the different tire size? The 265's seem to be wearing more in the center of the tread indicating pressure is too high for load. While towing my practice has been to run 80 psi in the rear and 55 up front. Unloaded, most of the time I leave the front at 55 and lower the rears to 50. That worked well with stock tires it seemed but as I mentioned, maybe the larger tire can get by with less air?

 

Thanks.

[96chevy7.4L]

When going to bigger tires. I always go by the rating on the tire. The rating in the door is for stock or factory mounted size tires. What kind of tires are you running and what LOAD RANGE are they. Being a heavy 5th wheel I would recommend load range "E" tires at a minimum. The heavier load range is more money but worth it.

[sack1]

When going to bigger tires. I always go by the rating on the tire. The rating in the door is for stock or factory mounted size tires. What kind of tires are you running and what LOAD RANGE are they. Being a heavy 5th wheel I would recommend load range "E" tires at a minimum. The heavier load range is more money but worth it.

 

I have always stayed with load range E tires. I had the original Bridgestones which now seemed to have not done too poorly for towing, a set of Kumhos and now a set of Nokians. All load range E as stated. Fifth wheel weighs in at about 12k. Pin weight is in the area of 2,200#.

 

The Nokian tires are the first at the larger size and seem to be wearing faster in the center of the tread than the others which were 245's. This suggests to me they are over inflated for the load.

[96chevy7.4L]

I run BFG Commercial T/A's on my dually. they handle loads very well. I put as much pin weight on them as you do with your 5ver. You might look into them. Hope that helps. Also you said you run 80psi in them. Is that cold? If so I would put about 72-75 in them and let them heat up from there.

[markw8]

Take the truck and trailer to a scale and weigh the rear axle. You probably don't need 80# in the rear. Now that being said, I you still have the oem 6.5'' wheels, you might have to much squirm with lower air. I can tell you from experience 245s would not have a problem with the weight and will wear better.

 

Mark

[sack1]

Take the truck and trailer to a scale and weigh the rear axle. You probably don't need 80# in the rear. Now that being said, I you still have the oem 6.5'' wheels, you might have to much squirm with lower air. I can tell you from experience 245s would not have a problem with the weight and will wear better.

 

Mark

 

I am still running the stock wheels. You feel that by fitting the 265's I've introduced some squirm which may be adding to wear? Truck feels well planted however. In fact the Kumhos felt "greasy" at first, or as you say squirmy, but settled down with some miles. But again, those were 245's like stock. It was a little spooky at first feeling them move around some, even when not towing. Felt like the truck had a hinge in its middle. Not the most confidence inspiring.

[markw8]

Take the truck and trailer to a scale and weigh the rear axle. You probably don't need 80# in the rear. Now that being said, I you still have the oem 6.5'' wheels, you might have to much squirm with lower air. I can tell you from experience 245s would not have a problem with the weight and will wear better.

 

Mark

 

I am still running the stock wheels. You feel that by fitting the 265's I've introduced some squirm which may be adding to wear? Truck feels well planted however. In fact the Kumhos felt "greasy" at first, or as you say squirmy, but settled down with some miles. But again, those were 245's like stock. It was a little spooky at first feeling them move around some, even when not towing. Felt like the truck had a hinge in its middle. Not the most confidence inspiring.

 

 

You mentioned the 265s showed wear in the center, this is normally from over inflation. The 265s also call for at least 7'' wheels, with the 6.5'' wheels the tire is crowned in the center which is probably causing the wear. Because the 265s have a higher carrying capacity than the 245s, you might be able to safely lower your air pressure for better wear. This lower pressure though, might cause the tires to squirm when they otherwise won't. Also some tires will have the feeling and some won't.

 

I have a truck camper that weighs about 3500# loaded. my previous truck was a 2000 Silverado 2500. I used it for 9 yrs always with 245 tires aired to 80#. OEM tires were F-stone Steeltexes then 2 sets of Michelins and back to F-stones. Never any bad feelings from the tires. 3500#s in the bed will speed tire wear.

 

Mark

[sack1]

Take the truck and trailer to a scale and weigh the rear axle. You probably don't need 80# in the rear. Now that being said, I you still have the oem 6.5'' wheels, you might have to much squirm with lower air. I can tell you from experience 245s would not have a problem with the weight and will wear better.

 

Mark

 

I am still running the stock wheels. You feel that by fitting the 265's I've introduced some squirm which may be adding to wear? Truck feels well planted however. In fact the Kumhos felt "greasy" at first, or as you say squirmy, but settled down with some miles. But again, those were 245's like stock. It was a little spooky at first feeling them move around some, even when not towing. Felt like the truck had a hinge in its middle. Not the most confidence inspiring.

 

 

You mentioned the 265s showed wear in the center, this is normally from over inflation. The 265s also call for at least 7'' wheels, with the 6.5'' wheels the tire is crowned in the center which is probably causing the wear. Because the 265s have a higher carrying capacity than the 245s, you might be able to safely lower your air pressure for better wear. This lower pressure though, might cause the tires to squirm when they otherwise won't. Also some tires will have the feeling and some won't.

 

I have a truck camper that weighs about 3500# loaded. my previous truck was a 2000 Silverado 2500. I used it for 9 yrs always with 245 tires aired to 80#. OEM tires were F-stone Steeltexes then 2 sets of Michelins and back to F-stones. Never any bad feelings from the tires. 3500#s in the bed will speed tire wear.

 

Mark

 

 

So I might just want to think of a set of wider wheels if I intend to run 265's or go back to 245's? Other than the additional cost, which would be better overall? The wider/higher weight rated 265's with wider wheels or fall back to 245's and call it good? Thanks guys, I'm just trying to make the best decision for tire wear and safety, etc.

[Diesail]

Assuming both tires are an E load rating, your OE tires where rated for 3042# at 80psi, the new tires are rated for 3415# at 80psi. Load capacity is reduced by about 140# for every reduction in pressure of 5psi. So running your new tires at 65 should put you pretty close to the same capacity. Here is a chart that might help Goodyear tire inflation chart

[JoJoJim]

I have a 2001 2500 HD 8.1 and just recently put my third set of tires on it. The first two I put 80,000 miles on each of them and still plenty of tread. More worried about the weather cracking on the side wall. The tread wear was perfect on every tire with no abnormal wearing. I do keep the tires rotated and balanced. I put Michelin 275 LT Load rating E 10 ply when new and the same since. The most recent set is there updated model. I sometimes pull a heavy gooseneck flatbed which takes me up to maximum GVW. I run 60 psi front and 55 psi rear when not pulling. If pulling I take the tires up to the 80 psi. My wheels have always been since I bought it American Racing mags.

 

Hope this helps.

[steiny93]

i have a 03 with the 6.0 engine (so similar rig) and just turned over to 82k today

I have a 5er that weighs ~ 14k lbs so very simlar to your setup

 

factory tires went to 64k miles then I put on BF AT's in 265

with 18k on the tires I have 8/32's in the front and 11/32's in the rear rotated once

tires are wearing great, reason for rotate is because the fronts have been wearing faster then the rears

 

i run 55psi in the rear and 50psi in the front when empty and 65psi when towing

[sack1]

i have a 03 with the 6.0 engine (so similar rig) and just turned over to 82k today

I have a 5er that weighs ~ 14k lbs so very simlar to your setup

 

factory tires went to 64k miles then I put on BF AT's in 265

with 18k on the tires I have 8/32's in the front and 11/32's in the rear rotated once

tires are wearing great, reason for rotate is because the fronts have been wearing faster then the rears

 

i run 55psi in the rear and 50psi in the front when empty and 65psi when towing

 

That's with the stock wheels? I'm willing to try another set of 265's on the stock wheels at reduced pressure if that's what does it. Otherwise, I'll need to decide if to go back to stock 245's on the stock wheels or pony up for wider wheels.

[steiny93]

both the factory 245's and the BF AT's 265's have been on stock wheels

 

i do have a topic going on the BF tire wear here: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=115444

 

basically,

for the mileage I think i'm getting 'ok' life out of the BF's

odd that the fronts are wearing quicker tho