Needing advice on tires for my Truck to tow Camper

[cbe]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a Heartland Wilderness camper. It is 35' long and weighs 6550 dry. I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab that I will be towing it with. I need to get new tires for the truck and a friend told me I should get a 10 ply tire for the truck. I have spoken to a couple of different people and have been told different things. I wanted to check with people who actually tow campers and get their input.

Thanks in advance

Brian

[bikendan]

I don't think getting 10 ply tires is going to help much, with a 1/2 ton towing a 35ft trailer.
But it certainly can't hurt.

[myxkp]

I also tow a 35 foot trailer with a F-150
The stock light truck tires serve me well.

My personal preference is a tire with flex while still meeting load requirements.

Trailer weighs 6700 on the scales and towing capacity is 7700. Drives more like a bus now that I’m using a ProPride hitch.

[Thurman]

I tow a 31 ft. TT with dry weight posted at 7200# with a '14 GMC Sierra CC short bed. When I first got the TT I had a problem with a funny little sway that seemed to appear anytime a tractor-trailer truck passed me going the opposite way. I just assumed that it was the wind the truck rig was pushing ahead of it. I also noticed that sway when a cross wind hit my rig. An older camper (and I'm 71) told me that it was my rear tires that were causing this sway. The stock tires do not have sufficient sidewall strength to support the TT's weight when the TT was moved by wind etc. After doing my own research I went with TOYO M/T tires with 8 ply's. There's not many tire shops around here and the TOYO's were available and affordable. Since I had those put on I have not had that mysterious sway and the entire rig travels better. On TOYO's advice I use 60# in the tires daily driving and 80# when towing. The truck does ride just a bit rougher but is comfortable. It feels more like a truck now than with the stock tires.

[Jeffjeeptj]

I tow my 30’ Surveyor with a 2003 Sequioia with 10 ply tires. I used to have a serious sway problem with a 23’ Jayco and the Sequoia with factory passenger tires. I wound up adding a Hensley which solved the sway problem. Then I sold the trailer.

I replaced the factory Sequoia tires with Goodrich AT ko in 10 ply. This was done for the multi-purpose use of on and off- road use of the Sequoia. Plus I get 65 to 80K miles on a set.

When I got the Surveyor it came with an E4 equal-i-zer. Once the hitch was properly adjusted, the sway issue does not exist. We are very close to full towing weights on the Sequoia, GCWR and Rear GAWR.

I do vary the Sequoia tire pressure to 35 psi when not towing and 65 psi front and rear when towing. The 65 when not towing is a bit “coarse” but tolerable for me. If I am going to unhooked for less than a couple of weeks, I do not adjust the,pressure. I do keep a Viair compressor in the Sequoia. It has been helpful over the years.

[phillyg]

It's possible your 1500 came with P-rated tires. Look on the sidewalls to determine the load rating at "x" pounds. If they're not enough to carry the truck rear, passengers and tongue weight, you need to go to an LT, load range E tire.

[rsdata]

Specifically Michelin Defender LTX tires are great with good tread longevity... I am at 65,000 miles on mine and will be getting a new set in the next 5,000 miles. I am at 41# at all four corners. I might go up to 55# in the rear with a heavier camper through. I got a great deal at Costco.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rsdata

Specifically Michelin Defender LTX tires are great with good tread longevity... I am at 65,000 miles on mine and will be getting a new set in the next 5,000 miles. I am at 41# at all four corners. I might go up to 55# in the rear with a heavier camper through. I got a great deal at Costco.

x2! I went with 8 ply D range.

[rlocicero]

Originally Posted by cbe

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a Heartland Wilderness camper. It is 35' long and weighs 6550 dry. I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab that I will be towing it with. I need to get new tires for the truck and a friend told me I should get a 10 ply tire for the truck. I have spoken to a couple of different people and have been told different things. I wanted to check with people who actually tow campers and get their input.

Thanks in advance

Brian

I always go to E rated 10 ply. Coopers are pretty good. A little shot=rt on mileage but very good on ride and traction,

[K5460]

I have run coopers on my silverado 1500. First set towing my 28 ft trailer. Tires went over 70,000 miles with 55,000 miles towing. Second set now has 85,000 miles on them with about 60,000 towing. Trailer weighs in at 7200lbs ready to travel. I like them because they are quiet and have great traction on wet roads.

[rsdata]

I have run coopers on my silverado 1500

Coopers... was there a model name on that tire?

[K5460]

The coopers that I have are the Discoverer AT3 LT. They are a load range e tire. Much cheaper at discount tire than the comparable Michelins.

[Mandog]

Michelin’s LTX’s are D load range I believe. Great tire but just not heavy enough for my 05 Chevy 2500HD and my 39 foot long Vibe 32BH. I’ve been running Cooper AT3 LT’s and love them. Good mileage and great stability.
Yes you will be better off with a suitable LT 10 ply tire rather than a P tire. The Michelin Defender LTX’s are a superior tire but just not heavy enough for my application. I run them on my Tahoe though.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by Mandog

Michelin’s LTX’s are D load range I believe. Great tire but just not heavy enough for my 05 Chevy 2500HD and my 39 foot long Vibe 32BH. I’ve been running Cooper AT3 LT’s and love them. Good mileage and great stability.
Yes you will be better off with a suitable LT 10 ply tire rather than a P tire. The Michelin Defender LTX’s are a superior tire but just not heavy enough for my application. I run them on my Tahoe though.

Michelin defender comes in a LRE 10 ply . 121/124r tire . you may have look at the lighter load 116 defender . the LRE are out of stock across the country . Was looking for a set 10 days ago and the soonest available was middle of December . Ended up with Continental terrain contact . a little cheaper then the michelins , good reviews , and so far am pleased with them . expect tread wear to be around the same as the michelins . we shall see .

[cbe]

I ended up going with the Michelin LTX AT 10 ply, got a really good price. I can tell a little bit of difference riding unloaded but not much.

[Jstamm2001]

Ugh - that’s a lot of trailer for that truck but my tires of choice are the BF good rich KO2. Thicker side walls helps with towing. I used those on my half ton truck and I use those now on my 1 ton diesel.

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by MR.M

Michelin defender comes in a LRE 10 ply . 121/124r tire . you may have look at the lighter load 116 defender . the LRE are out of stock across the country . Was looking for a set 10 days ago and the soonest available was middle of December . Ended up with Continental terrain contact . a little cheaper then the michelins , good reviews , and so far am pleased with them . expect tread wear to be around the same as the michelins . we shall see .

They do really? Dang I didn’t know that. Jeez I’d have purchased them if I’d have known that. Well maybe if the snow traction was as good as the AT3’s. Thanks..

[Mandog]

Originally Posted by cbe

I ended up going with the Michelin LTX AT 10 ply, got a really good price. I can tell a little bit of difference riding unloaded but not much.

Aww you won’t be sorry. Those are the mother of all tires. I wish I’d have found the 10 ply before I bought mine. You are way better off now...