Do I need new tires?

[gspot01]

Newbie TT owner here! Saturday I'm going to pick up our first, a Salem Cruise Lite 261bhxl. My TV is a 2012 Ram 1500 with tow pkg., bought new a few years ago, in great shape with only 26k miles. The dealer will be installing a WD hitch and brake controller. The factory-installed truck tires are in pretty good shape with plenty of tread. I estimate they've probably got about 25k left on them before they need replacing. Unfortunately, though, one tire has a couple of plugs due to a close encounter with some nails in the road. We're going on a 4k-mile trip in June to the Grand Canyon. My question is, in light of this, should I plan on getting new tires (or at least one to replace the one with plugs) before we embark for safety's sake? Or is the plugged tire completely safe?

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[Oaklevel]

If you truck is not a 4x4 you can replace two tires if it is a 4x4 you would need to replace all 4........ Not a good idea just to replace one tire.

Lots of opinions will come in on plugs but tire stores in Virginia can not legally plug tire so ...................... So no plugged tires here.

[5picker]

Tire plugs are a tough call.
Sometimes the tool can cause belt/structure damage before the plug is inserted and sometimes not. No real good way to tell except when doing the plug.

If it doesn't leak, I would keep a close eye on the tire with the added loading. You may be just fine.

Another thought to consider, many of us have switched from the stock P tires on our trucks to LT tires and it has made a world of towing difference for the better.

[gspot01]

Thanks for the advice. I forgot to add that it is a 4x4, so it would be all four at once or none, then? I guess I could go to Sam's and get four new LT tires. Otherwise I guess it's a crapshoot. I just wasn't planning on having to do that so soon (tires are expensive! ). I did buy an aftermarket TPMS for the trailer though. Don't want any blowouts!

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[Tfort]

As long as it is not an all wheel drive or full time 4wd or auto 4wd you can replace them in pairs without a problem. The slight difference in tire height from tread wear does not make a difference to a normal shiftable 4wd especially in slippery conditions when you would be using it. Also plugs have been used for years without issue. It is illegal for professional shops in the state of FL as well but can be used by the owner. Your call on the plugs but I have never seen issue with them as long as they seal.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

[gspot01]

Thanks! So assuming I did want to put new tires on, I'm having a hard time identifying exactly what constitutes a LT tire. Are those the ones that do NOT begin with a P (for passenger), such as : Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure - 275/60R20 115T ?

Right now they have Goodyear Wrangler SR-A - P275/60R20 114S.

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[trbomax]

The only tires that have plugs in them around here are on the quads,never on a TV.I wont even run a inside patch repaired tire on the steering axel,and only on the drive axel to get somewhere and replace it.

[Crusadernoob]

The tire will specify LT or P, always check the load rating to verify. Plugs have been used for years, now, legally, can't use them, the only correct and APPROVED method is a plug/patch, honestly, I've patch many tires over the years with no problem. Done correctly, it is good to go. Also, just because a tire is an LT or even a P tire the load rating still varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and Good Year's suck for even wear, just my observation's.

[Dannimal]

Originally Posted by gspot01

Thanks! So assuming I did want to put new tires on, I'm having a hard time identifying exactly what constitutes a LT tire. Are those the ones that do NOT begin with a P (for passenger), such as : Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure - 275/60R20 115T ?

Right now they have Goodyear Wrangler SR-A - P275/60R20 114S.

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Light truck tires will always begin with LT such as LT285/70/17. From there you have to look at different load ranges. For example, my F250 uses load range E tires which are 10 ply. I believe LT tires begin at load range C and go on up from there i.e. D, E, F, G etc. Do some googling it is pretty easy to figure out. As you increase the load range, the tires are stiffer lending itself to a more harsh ride when not towing. However, when towing higher load range tires provide more stability.

[gspot01]

Well the problem seems to be with the Sam's website. Several of the tire choices don't begin with anything, neither a P nor an LT, which leaves me confused. Maybe I'll do some looking on tirerack.com

These will be the first tires I've put on this truck. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good set? I've always heard you can't go wrong with Michelins.

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[Crusadernoob]

No, you can't go wrong with Michelin's LTX M/S 2, you get what you pay for. I've seen time and time again when someone comes into our shop with a tire problem and we can't match what they have on the vehicle, it's always when they got them at a low end store like a Sam's, BJ's. Remember, the tires are the only thing hitting the road, don't skimp on them, you are towing.

[gspot01]

Good advice! Thank you! Problem is going to be finding those around here.

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[Crusadernoob]

Unless you are inside the Arctic Circle, Michelin can be found anywhere!

[gspot01]

Close: Mississippi River Delta Everybody's out-of-stock, but will special order them.

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[RSchleder]

Michelin LTX defenders---Best tire you can buy for a pickup, especially if you tow. Depending on the size/weight of your trailer, go with either D or E load range. I tow a 33' Wildcat MAXX with my Ram Laramie, it weighs 7,700 lbs empty with 900 lbs tongue weight. I put load range E Defenders on my truck recently and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!

PS
As suggested above, the Michelin's LTX M/S 2 tires are a terrific tire too!

[RSchleder]

Originally Posted by gspot01

Close: Mississippi River Delta Everybody's out-of-stock, but will special order them.

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Special order on Michelin tires should be no more than a couple/few days to receive them!

[bfhammer]

The Michelin's are decent tires. I've run Goodyear, BfGoodrich, Nitto in the E range tires. Nitto with a aggressive pattern and more weight dropped mileage 1-2 MPG. I get 70-80k out of a set of tires and brakes but I know people that kill tires before 50k and brakes before 20k. Anticipating stops and gentle braking make mine long lasting. And those miles are including snow plowing and towing. Foot off the gas is the best brake.

Proper tire pressure checked when you fill up with gas or once or twice a month is a good practice and saves gas. The goodyears rarely leaked, the bf goodrich's I have to top off monthly for some reason. Although a lot of that is those bloody sensors leaking. They rust out inside the tire and leak air. I've had them all replaced on warranty twice already.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by RSchleder

Michelin LTX defenders---Best tire you can buy for a pickup, especially if you tow. Depending on the size/weight of your trailer, go with either D or E load range. I tow a 33' Wildcat MAXX with my Ram Laramie, it weighs 7,700 lbs empty with 900 lbs tongue weight. I put load range E Defenders on my truck recently and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!

PS
As suggested above, the Michelin's LTX M/S 2 tires are a terrific tire too!

A Michelin dealer told me just last week, the LTX M/S2's are now only available in 4 ply.

To get to the the 8 (D) or 10 (E) ply range you must buy the newly introduced Defender LTX M/S.
Only downside... black sidewall only. No ROWL.

[gspot01]

Unfortunately they don't seem to make the Defender in 275/60r20 that I can find.

Pardon my newbie questions, but is it possible to use a slightly different size?

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[clr]

On my old truck I replaced the OEM firestone tires with a set of the Michelin tires and they were a good tire. The truck did ride much better with the Michelin tires. I had no problems with the Michelin tires at all.
On my current truck when it was time to replace the tires I went the BFGoodrich route. This was mainly because of the cost difference between to two and a sale on them at the time. But the tires have worked very well so far about 10K on the tires. I have had no problem with air leaks from the tires and I check them often.