Do I need LT tires to tow?

[DatacomGuy]

Mods, please do not move.

Do i NEED LT tires for towing? All the LT tires are 10-20lbs heavier than the stock tires. It's really going to impact towing performance by switching to a LT.

What would you do?

 

[MiRamDriver]

Depends on how much you tow. Personally, I would - I have LT tires and still have a considerable about of sidewall flex.

Personally, I think you're way over thinking the additional 10-15 of rotating mass with tires.

 

[loveracing1988]

What are you plannimg on towing? For a small trailer or boat don't worry about it. But for a travel trailer or bigger enclosed trailer I would just to be safe.

 

[DatacomGuy]

Depends on how much you tow. Personally, I would - I have LT tires and still have a considerable about of sidewall flex.

Personally, I think you're way over thinking the additional 10-15 of rotating mass with tires.

I'm sure thats the case, i over think everything to begin with.

I think i'll go with the Toyo OC's and call it a day and move on to something else.

What I do need to figure out next is inflation.

 

[MiRamDriver]

I'm sure thats the case, i over think everything to begin with.

I think i'll go with the Toyo OC's and call it a day and move on to something else.

What I do need to figure out next is inflation.

Good choice. Have you ever heard of the chalk test? That's what I do - my Duratracs are rated up to 65 PSI and I run 45 in them.

 

[DatacomGuy]

Good choice. Have you ever heard of the chalk test? That's what I do - my Duratracs are rated up to 65 PSI and I run 45 in them.

No i haven't.. off to google i go!

 

[RangerGress]

You're worried about the weight of your tires? That's silly.

 

[audio1der]

I'm pretty settled on a set of General Grabber HTS's to replace these rubbish Goodyear P-rated wiggle rounds.
They're rated 119XL load, not sure how that compares to an LT tire.
I also consider weight when tire shopping. I don't get the 20 mpg some of you do so anything I do which would throw away precious mileage is a consideration.

 

[loveracing1988]

Good choice. Have you ever heard of the chalk test? That's what I do - my Duratracs are rated up to 65 PSI and I run 45 in them.

Mine are the stock silent armor 265 width and are load range e tires rated for 80 psi. I run them at 55 and have a full contact patch and still a pretty good ride.

 

[h2oman]

I only run "D" and "E" rated tires. They help towing. Keeps the mush and sway out. Air them up to tow and air back down for normal driving.

 

[DatacomGuy]

I'm pretty settled on a set of General Grabber HTS's to replace these rubbish Goodyear P-rated wiggle rounds.
They're rated 119XL load, not sure how that compares to an LT tire.
I also consider weight when tire shopping. I don't get the 20 mpg some of you do so anything I do which would throw away precious mileage is a consideration.

Agreed. As mentioned in other threads, i live in the App foothills.. I need all the power i can get.

Best tire, weight wise, that i've found is the Bridgestone Revo 2. LT275/65R20, and its 53lbs. Thats the lowest weight thus far, and a larger size at that..

Toyo OC AT2 in a LT275/65R20 is 57lbs.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 in a LT275/60R20 is 58lbs.

Bridgestone Revo 2 in a LT275/65R20 is 53lbs.

Michelin LTX A/T2 in a LT275/60R20 is 61lbs.

I know everyone pushes Toyo.. but if could save 4lbs per tire (AND $40-50 per tire as well), why not?

 

[DatacomGuy]

Of course i say that, and now it appears Kauffman has a better deal on the Toyo's than Firestone has on the Revo's. $1300 vs 1500. Screw it, Toyo it is. Tired of dealing with it.

 

[audio1der]

Wow- those are HEFTY tires; I guess when you stated LT, you meant LT and AT? The Generals I'm looking at are 51psi so a 'C' rated,and nly 43lb (2990lb/ea or so rated) but I don't want AT;s, just all season street tires.

 

[MiRamDriver]

Of course i say that, and now it appears Kauffman has a better deal on the Toyo's than Firestone has on the Revo's. $1300 vs 1500. Screw it, Toyo it is. Tired of dealing with it.

You won't regret the Toyos. I had them on my 2006 and they were a really good tire. The Revos were alright but I liked the Toyos better in any snow/off road condition.

 

[DatacomGuy]

Wow- those are HEFTY tires; I guess when you stated LT, you meant LT and AT? The Generals I'm looking at are 51psi so a 'C' rated,and nly 43lb (2990lb/ea or so rated) but I don't want AT;s, just all season street tires.

Yes sir.. AT's. Even though I have a 2WD, i'm SICK of getting stuck in wet grass and gravel. I need a real tire.

Looks like Toyo's will be cheaper.. by about $60 total.

Still nervous about the weight Once i buy, there is no going back.

 

[Andy578]

You're worried about the weight of your tires? That's silly.

not silly at all. you'd be surprised what effects tire weight can have

 

[RangerGress]

not silly at all. you'd be surprised what effects tire weight can have

I am a mechanical engineer. I also spent a year teaching HS physics, which is where rotational inertia is often taught. I've been racing BMWs for 7yrs. I probably wouldn't be surprised. Being concerned re. a couple of lbs of weight of truck tires is silly.

 

[audio1der]

I am a mechanical engineer. I also spent a year teaching HS physics, which is where rotational inertia is often taught. I've been racing BMWs for 7yrs. I probably wouldn't be surprised. Being concerned re. a couple of lbs of weight of truck tires is silly.

Good to know; thank you for sharing your first hand knowledge.

 

[Andy578]

I am a mechanical engineer. I also spent a year teaching HS physics, which is where rotational inertia is often taught. I've been racing BMWs for 7yrs. I probably wouldn't be surprised. Being concerned re. a couple of lbs of weight of truck tires is silly.

fuel economy, ride quality, and steering are all effected. it's usually not noticeable but it does make a difference. as for fuel economy it's generally not much but every bit adds up just like better air filters/intake it's not a huge fuel saver but it's still a fuel saver

 

[loveracing1988]

Reading your other thread regarding the open countrys. They seem to have a very soft sidewall. Going from a load range d goodyear to a load range e open country the toyo's had a lot more sidewall flex to them. It was a little unsettling while towing. We always ran 55 while towing with the goodyears, they toyos required 70 to eliminate the flex.