Tire Shopping

Bart2500HD · August 26, 2005

I'm currently looking into getting new feet for my HD and am wondering if load range E tires are really necessary? I tow a fifth wheel that weighs in at around 10000# and would like a little softer tire for daily driving. Would a 6 ply or 8 ply tire be good enough? What tires do you all have and/or recommend? Thanks.

496 CUBIC INCHES · August 27, 2005

Get the "E"s and air them down when not towing. There is a major difference in ride quality when I have my tires aired up for towing. I usually run 45-50 on the street and 65 when towing.

When their aired up my truck rides much harsher unless I have the trailer on.

The 6 plys won't be nearly enough and would be a safety hazard,you MIGHT get away with the 8s,but why take that chance?

mmmikkke · August 27, 2005

Towing a 10k pound trailer would be more difficult when you have LR C tires.

The sidewall stiffness will diminish as you move downward in the load ranges. That means that you'll have more squirm, and when your truck squirms with a trailer behind it, you have to correct by moving the steering wheel.

I support 496's suggestion that you just lower the air pressure when not towing.

Bart2500HD · August 27, 2005

Towing a 10k pound trailer would be more difficult when you have LR C tires.

The sidewall stiffness will diminish as you move downward in the load ranges. That means that you'll have more squirm, and when your truck squirms with a trailer behind it, you have to correct by moving the steering wheel.

I support 496's suggestion that you just lower the air pressure when not towing.

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I agree 100%, but I was looking to save a few bucks. You guys do bring up some good points. I currently do air down my tires when not towing. I run about 52psi in the fronts and 50 in the rear. Thanks for the input.

Bart2500HD · September 2, 2005

Got new rubber. I went with Multi-Mile Wild Country XTX's in LT 265/75/16. They look really nice and are somewhat aggressive but quiet on the highway.

Daubs · September 7, 2005

I checked BFG AT/KO site (couldn't find payload numbers for my REVO's).

245 E rated tires have payload of 3,042 @ 80 psi

265 E rated tires have payload of 3,415 @ 80 psi

285 D rated tires have payload of 3,415 @ 65 psi

285 E rated tires have payload of 3,759 @ 80 psi (highest rated tires on the sheet)

Wish GM would stop putting those wimpy 245's as the stock tire.

Bart2500HD · September 7, 2005

I checked BFG AT/KO site (couldn't find payload numbers for my REVO's).

245 E rated tires have payload of 3,042 @ 80 psi

265 E rated tires have payload of 3,415 @ 80 psi

285 D rated tires have payload of 3,415 @ 65 psi

285 E rated tires have payload of 3,759 @ 80 psi (highest rated tires on the sheet)

Wish GM would stop putting those wimpy 245's as the stock tire.

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I agree, most everyone switches to 265's when they get new tires. BFG's are a fine tire, but I can't afford them. Shouldn't your REVOs have the payload printed on the sidewall?

496 CUBIC INCHES · September 7, 2005

Got new rubber. I went with Multi-Mile Wild Country XTX's in LT 265/75/16. They look really nice and are somewhat aggressive but quiet on the highway.

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Where did you buy them at?

I bought the XTXs two Summers ago and had them on my truck for less than a week. Even with 80PSI they felt like they were about half flat,my truck handled like crap. It squirmed all over the road. The tire shop moved them around,changed pressures,re-balanced and finally I had enough and switched to a different tread design.

Hopefully you won't experience any of the issues I had with the XTXs.

Bart2500HD · September 8, 2005

Got new rubber. I went with Multi-Mile Wild Country XTX's in LT 265/75/16. They look really nice and are somewhat aggressive but quiet on the highway.

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Where did you buy them at?

I bought the XTXs two Summers ago and had them on my truck for less than a week. Even with 80PSI they felt like they were about half flat,my truck handled like crap. It squirmed all over the road. The tire shop moved them around,changed pressures,re-balanced and finally I had enough and switched to a different tread design.

Hopefully you won't experience any of the issues I had with the XTXs.

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I bought them at a tire shop here in town. So far I have about 600 miles on them and I don't notice any of the issues you had. I run about 50 psi all around not towing and I air the rears up to 70 psi with the trailer hooked up.