Another @$##%& tire question

[Archg38r]

I have a 2014 F150 w/5.0 V8 3.55 electronic rear axel 8000# tow rating and P rated 275/55/20 tires. Truck equipped with tembren springs, hitch is Anderson No-Sway trailer weight is 7000# loaded (we travel light), tongue weight is 900#. Trailer tows fine on good roads but tends to wander a bid on rutted roads i.e. interstates, I drive 60-65 mph. Question is will going to a extra load (XL) tire reduce the wandering or is it a function of the rutting? LT rated tires are hard to come by in 20" and expensive also hate to get rid of tires with only 7000 miles. I have read posts about Michelin LT but all 20" I have seen are rated the same as XL tires and max tire pressure of 44psi. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[dustman_stx]

I had Cooper XL range tires in that size that would accept 50psi. Now have BFGoodrich TA KO2's that are LT tires and load range D. Only LT tire I know of in that size. I am very happy with them. Excellent winter traction. Only set of tires I've ever had that for compliments from strangers, too. I personally think you would be happier with the LT tire- I know I am.

[Jim34RL]

This is the problem most user face when buying a TV vehicle that is meant for city/highway driving and not towing a trailer.


Now Did you check out a Nitto tires a 420S-All Seasons tire? As I see there is a XL275/55R20 117H tire that is rated to support 2833 @50 PSI. These might work for you or you could go for an 18" tire and find more LT tires in a size that could work on your truck.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

This is the problem most user face when buying a TV vehicle that is meant for city/highway driving and not towing a trailer.


Now Did you check out a Nitto tires a 420S-All Seasons tire? As I see there is a XL275/55R20 117H tire that is rated to support 2833 @50 PSI. These might work for you or you could go for an 18" tire and find more LT tires in a size that could work on your truck.

Keep in mind that those XL tires are still a passenger tire and you must deduct 10% of the load rating for towing. And, regardless of what the number on the sidewall says, the LT tires are much better suited for towing. As per the comment about a half ton not being intended for towing- that's like saying the 4x4's on the lot aren't intended for going off road because they come with street tires. My half ton has proven itself to be very capable of much more than getting groceries. They put tires on half tons that offer the best possible ride and fuel mileage- they are still under CAFE standards.

[Tom48]

I would take a real look at the wheels and tires. I have to wonder if 20" rims are more about beauty than load. First find out the load rating of the rims. S/b stamped or marked on the inside. Then read the load rating on the tire. Weigh the rear axle when hooked up loaded, kids gear, water and all. Go to a CAT truck scale. Then if need be. Sans the pretty rims in favor of a set of rims and tires that exceed your load.

[B and B]

I towed just fine with 20 inch rims, stock Ford and LT tires with my Ecoboost and 9000b fiver. Do not need to get ride of the rims. They are more than up to the job.

[Crockett]

I wonder if its a function of not enough weight distribution. anyone else running anderson with a 150 and 900 pounds TW where they went to an LT tire and made a difference with the symptoms op described? I would imaging side wall rigidity with the LT but hes running on 20s already.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Crockett

I wonder if its a function of not enough weight distribution. anyone else running anderson with a 150 and 900 pounds TW where they went to an LT tire and made a difference with the symptoms op described? I would imaging side wall rigidity with the LT but hes running on 20s already.

Very possible he's not getting enough weight transferred as that is a common complaint on the Andersen. Having had both XL and now LT LRD tires in the same size(275/55-20), you can see a huge difference in how much the tires ballon when under load. The LT tires are obviously much stronger and capable of supporting their rated load even though the rating between them and the XL is very similar.

[silverback 35ts]

Originally Posted by Archg38r

I have a 2014 F150 w/5.0 V8 3.55 electronic rear axel 8000# tow rating and P rated 275/55/20 tires. Truck equipped with tembren springs, hitch is Anderson No-Sway trailer weight is 7000# loaded (we travel light), tongue weight is 900#. Trailer tows fine on good roads but tends to wander a bid on rutted roads i.e. interstates, I drive 60-65 mph. Question is will going to a extra load (XL) tire reduce the wandering or is it a function of the rutting? LT rated tires are hard to come by in 20" and expensive also hate to get rid of tires with only 7000 miles. I have read posts about Michelin LT but all 20" I have seen are rated the same as XL tires and max tire pressure of 44psi. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Yes you could waste a ton of money on tires and people will tell you to buy this brand or that, but from what you explain you have nothing more that trailer SWAY, so if you want to get rid of it add a sway bar and the ruts will go away. Had one on a pop-up I owned and worked like a dream, and because of the way tag trailer tow they are available in most any rv dealer.

SO stop worrying about tires when all you need is a simple sway bar and you are set, Happy Camping

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by silverback 35ts

Yes you could waste a ton of money on tires and people will tell you to buy this brand or that, but from what you explain you have nothing more that trailer SWAY, so if you want to get rid of it add a sway bar and the ruts will go away. Had one on a pop-up I owned and worked like a dream, and because of the way tag trailer tow they are available in most any rv dealer.

SO stop worrying about tires when all you need is a simple sway bar and you are set, Happy Camping

The Andersen hitch he has uses friction at the hitch head to control sway. It's not even possible to add a friction bar to his hitch.

[DocGTO]

On my 2500HD, when you want the highest tow rating, you have to get the 18 inch wheel/tire instead of the 20 inch wheel/tire. Mine came with the 17s so I found the 18 inch takeoffs with 50 mile Michelins off a 3500 SRW for a gat price. You may look for some 18 inch factory take offs and sell your 20s to recoup the $.

For towing the LT is just a better, safer option.

[Archg38r]

I measured the height change at the truck fenders with the TT hooked and loaded. Rear drops 1.5" and front is raised less than .5". That seems to be in line of what I would expect and not out of line. I would not think a .5" rise on the front axle of the TV would be an issue, but I could be wrong.