Towing With Michilen Ltx M/s (e Code)

jlucas · April 2, 2009

Just replaced the stock tires with the LTXs which have always gotten great reviews. However there is a really bad front end wander while towing now on the new tires, it requires constant adjustment. It's really noticeable since the truck was very stable before on the crappy no traction stock Bridgestones. Even after 2000 miles of towing the feeling is still there. Anyone have a similar experience? is there another tire pressure that will work better? I'm currently running the recommended stock pressures. Truck is used almost exclusively for towing a 6000lb race trailer.

mr_bots · April 2, 2009

Might want to check the balance on them. I don't tow very often, but I have Micheline LTX M/S tires and have never had a trouble and my parents have had them on their last 4 trucks/suvs and have never had any trouble towing with them. What size are yours to look up the load rating?

Z45 · April 2, 2009

What tire pressure are you running? Sounds like you might have the front tires over inflated? Check to make sure all your tires are the same load range. I had a GY dealer put 3 LR E and 1 LR D on my 99 K2500 work suburban (gov't leased fleet-Wheels). At first it was on the back and I never noticed. Then after 10,000 miles the tires were rotated and it ended up on front and it caused steering problems. Since the SUV was used off-road on GPS surveys I just assumed it needed alignment but they spotted the wrong tire. That load range D tire was pumped to 80psi for 10,000 miles and pulled a 5,000 trailer all over without a problem till it got rotated to the front and caused the suv to drift.

Curious, what kind of vehicle is the tow rig?

I have used the LTX's on my last 3 trucks. I got ride of the oem tires soon after I got the truck and never had any problems with the LTX. They have always balanced up perfect the 1st time. I got load range B though, the LTX was not available when I bought my tires in 12-inc in any other load range, I wanted C.

Zembonez · April 2, 2009

LTX Michelins have pretty squishy sidewalls which result in good ride quality but not such good support when loaded. Make sure the rears are at peak recommended pressure when loaded and it will help some. I think what you feel is the soft sidewalls in the rear.

svensk · April 2, 2009

Make sure your towing with the inflation at max. 50+psi. if your are still having this issue you need to take them in and have them rebalanced.

Shaners · April 2, 2009

When I ran those tires I never had an issue while towing. Like mentioned before, some air pressure adjustments are probable necessary. If you went to a 265 versus the stock 245 you would have an even higher load rating on the new tires than you did with stock skins....

jlucas · April 3, 2009

This is on an 2004 2500HD. 20ft enclosed car carrier, the only trailer I've towed with on this truck for the last 10,000 towing miles. 245/75/16s all around. I just double checked the sidewalls, all are E rated so there's not an oddball causing the problem. Fronts are at 50psi cold and the rears are at 75psi. It's not a balance issue: 1) I was standing right there when there were balanced, even helped a bit and did a check spin after the weights were on, 2) there tires ride smooth as can be, no vibrations at all. Truck tracked straight and true even when towing at 75mph on the stock Bridgestones, put these on and instantly the front is wandering about 55mph.

I have a lot of towing experience (~100k over the last 6 years) and if it had not towed fine the week before the new tires I'd think something was wrong with the steering/suspension/etc.. up front.

I think that answers all the questions you guys posted. Any other ideas on what pressure to try? If no one has any specific pressures, I'll try dropping the front pressure by 10 psi next time out.

Mike2500HD · April 4, 2009

This is on an 2004 2500HD. 20ft enclosed car carrier, the only trailer I've towed with on this truck for the last 10,000 towing miles. 245/75/16s all around. I just double checked the sidewalls, all are E rated so there's not an oddball causing the problem. Fronts are at 50psi cold and the rears are at 75psi. It's not a balance issue: 1) I was standing right there when there were balanced, even helped a bit and did a check spin after the weights were on, 2) there tires ride smooth as can be, no vibrations at all. Truck tracked straight and true even when towing at 75mph on the stock Bridgestones, put these on and instantly the front is wandering about 55mph.

I have a lot of towing experience (~100k over the last 6 years) and if it had not towed fine the week before the new tires I'd think something was wrong with the steering/suspension/etc.. up front.

I think that answers all the questions you guys posted. Any other ideas on what pressure to try? If no one has any specific pressures, I'll try dropping the front pressure by 10 psi next time out.

Your right that balance has nothing to do with a wondering condition. Zembones sidewall comment makes sense but the other guy says he has towed with those tires for years. Wandering to me is a castor issue or sidewall flex. Too much air in the front might cause the tire to run on the center of the tread but I hardly think 50 psi could be too much pressure. 75 could be low in the rear if max press. is 80 psi. If its a pressure issue the only way to know for sure is to air the rears up to 80 and keep dropping a 5 or so pounds and trying it. Back in the 80's some guys in 18wheelers didnt like the michilens because of sidewall flex making them feel like they were wondering. Sidewall flex at either end will feel like wondering. My 07 2500 on stock Bridgestones feels to me like it wanders empty on the highway. Whenever I get an alignment Im going to have them dial in as much castor as possible. How about this?? The old tires didnt have enough traction for you to feel the relatively minor tracking issue in the front end and now with brand new tires the problem has become evident??Good luck.M.R.

jlucas · April 4, 2009

How about this?? The old tires didnt have enough traction for you to feel the relatively minor tracking issue in the front end and now with brand new tires the problem has become evident??

Actually you might have something there. The grip could be amplifying something I could not feel before. I'll fiddle with the pressures and if that doesn't help, I'll have to do an alignment. The grip level difference in the tires is huge. Previously with no trailer, even on just damp pavement the tires would slip (in the full wet, going away from stoplights, they would slip even with the trailer!!), now even full throttle launches with no trailer have no slip at all.

How often are you guys finding that an alignment is needed on these trucks? I bought this one used about 10k ago.

Shaners · April 4, 2009

You didn't change the weight around inside the trailer did you?

Do you have a weight distributing hitch? If so you may want to try a different link on the chains. Maybe a little more/less tension on the chains will solve the problem... I had a '97 F250 that gave me fits and was white knuckle driving when I had the RV in tow. I kept readjusting the chains and finally solved my problems. I could go down the road at any safe speed with just one hand on the wheel!

Mike2500HD · April 4, 2009

How about this?? The old tires didnt have enough traction for you to feel the relatively minor tracking issue in the front end and now with brand new tires the problem has become evident??

Actually you might have something there. The grip could be amplifying something I could not feel before. I'll fiddle with the pressures and if that doesn't help, I'll have to do an alignment. The grip level difference in the tires is huge. Previously with no trailer, even on just damp pavement the tires would slip (in the full wet, going away from stoplights, they would slip even with the trailer!!), now even full throttle launches with no trailer have no slip at all.

How often are you guys finding that an alignment is needed on these trucks? I bought this one used about 10k ago.

I dont believe guys are having alignment problems but some people would say when putting new tires or shocks on any vehicle they do an alignment. I had been using a 1/2 ton van for contracting for a couple of years. I had enough tools in there to be at load capacity or above. The truck was sagging somewhat in the rear and it wondered all over on the highway. I had the caster adjusted to the limit and it helped a lot...your truck might have needed alignment when you bought it. If nothing else I would do that just to help tire longevity. My stock Bridgestones feel slippery in the wet however in the pooring rain on the highway they are amaizingly stable and do not hydroplane.

TyeeMan · April 6, 2009

How about this?? The old tires didnt have enough traction for you to feel the relatively minor tracking issue in the front end and now with brand new tires the problem has become evident??

Actually you might have something there. The grip could be amplifying something I could not feel before. I'll fiddle with the pressures and if that doesn't help, I'll have to do an alignment. The grip level difference in the tires is huge. Previously with no trailer, even on just damp pavement the tires would slip (in the full wet, going away from stoplights, they would slip even with the trailer!!), now even full throttle launches with no trailer have no slip at all.

How often are you guys finding that an alignment is needed on these trucks? I bought this one used about 10k ago.

I dont believe guys are having alignment problems but some people would say when putting new tires or shocks on any vehicle they do an alignment. I had been using a 1/2 ton van for contracting for a couple of years. I had enough tools in there to be at load capacity or above. The truck was sagging somewhat in the rear and it wondered all over on the highway. I had the caster adjusted to the limit and it helped a lot...your truck might have needed alignment when you bought it. If nothing else I would do that just to help tire longevity. My stock Bridgestones feel slippery in the wet however in the pooring rain on the highway they are amaizingly stable and do not hydroplane.

TyeeMan · April 6, 2009

Howdy,

First reply on this sight and messed up already.

Any way, I might be a little late on this reply but wanted to throw my .02 cents in. I have a 2002 GMC 1500 HD with Michelin LTX M&S, 265/75/16s on it. I'm either towing 6000 lb travel trailer or a 5-6000 lb enclosed snowmobile trailer. I don't use any load distrubuting hitch (although I think I'm going to get one to improve the ride) or any thing special. When I am towing I air up the rear tires to 80 psi and leave the fronts at 50. The rig is rock steady at any speed! Someone before mentioned a possible caster adjustment. I think he's on to something, cuz if your camber/caster is off I believe you might be minimizing the total road/tire contact surface.

Aside from that those tires are awsome, if you rotate/balance them frequently you should be driving them for a good long time. Enjoy.