Which solution for towing a trailer
07-06-2014, 05:32 PM
#11
Grumpy Old Man
Also, do you have P-metric tires? You might consider LT tires; load range C would likely be enough. Our newer F150 is nearly identical in configuration to the previous model. One difference, the newer truck has LT tires. We have discovered that there is a LOT less rear bounce with LT tires due to the stiffer sidewall.
Example: 275/65R18 is standard on a lot of our F-150s.
P275/65R18 has weight code of 116 = 2,756 pounds @ 44 PSI.
LT275/65R18C has weight code of 113 = 2,535 pounds @50 PSI.
To improve on the weight capacity of the stock P-series tires, you have to move up to the LT with load range E, weight code 123 = 3,415 pounds @ 80 PSI.
So if you have a late-model F-150 4x4 with P275/65R18 tires, you can move up to LT275/65R18E.
But my 4x2 has P265/60R18 tires, with revs/mile of 681. Nobody I can find makes LT tires that size. I could go to LT275/65R18E, but they have revs/mile of 651. So my speedo/odo/trip meters would be slow by 4.6% unless I paid my Ford dealer to recalibrate the speedo for the taller tires. And unless the dealer is a dear friend, he will charge you a minimum of one hour labor to do that little deed.
Granted, 18" LT load range C tires will weigh about 8 pounds more than P-series tires of the same size, so maybe that translates into a stiffer sidewall. But it does not translate into a stronger tire with more weight capacity.
07-06-2014, 06:55 PM
#12
Senior Member
Disagree. Tires of the same size, P-series compared to LT load range C tires, the P-series tire will be stronger.
Example: 275/65R18 is standard on a lot of our F-150s.
P275/65R18 has weight code of 116 = 2,756 pounds @ 44 PSI.
LT275/65R18C has weight code of 113 = 2,535 pounds @50 PSI.
To improve on the weight capacity of the stock P-series tires, you have to move up to the LT with load range E, weight code 123 = 3,415 pounds @ 80 PSI.
So if you have a late-model F-150 4x4 with P275/65R18 tires, you can move up to LT275/65R18E.
But my 4x2 has P265/60R18 tires, with revs/mile of 681. Nobody I can find makes LT tires that size. I could go to LT275/65R18E, but they have revs/mile of 651. So my speedo/odo/trip meters would be slow by 4.6% unless I paid my Ford dealer to recalibrate the speedo for the taller tires. And unless the dealer is a dear friend, he will charge you a minimum of one hour labor to do that little deed.
Granted, 18" LT load range C tires will weigh about 8 pounds more than P-series tires of the same size, so maybe that translates into a stiffer sidewall. But it does not translate into a stronger tire with more weight capacity.
Example: 275/65R18 is standard on a lot of our F-150s.
P275/65R18 has weight code of 116 = 2,756 pounds @ 44 PSI.
LT275/65R18C has weight code of 113 = 2,535 pounds @50 PSI.
To improve on the weight capacity of the stock P-series tires, you have to move up to the LT with load range E, weight code 123 = 3,415 pounds @ 80 PSI.
So if you have a late-model F-150 4x4 with P275/65R18 tires, you can move up to LT275/65R18E.
But my 4x2 has P265/60R18 tires, with revs/mile of 681. Nobody I can find makes LT tires that size. I could go to LT275/65R18E, but they have revs/mile of 651. So my speedo/odo/trip meters would be slow by 4.6% unless I paid my Ford dealer to recalibrate the speedo for the taller tires. And unless the dealer is a dear friend, he will charge you a minimum of one hour labor to do that little deed.
Granted, 18" LT load range C tires will weigh about 8 pounds more than P-series tires of the same size, so maybe that translates into a stiffer sidewall. But it does not translate into a stronger tire with more weight capacity.
Reset for different size tires and pick up some extra HP, TQ and MPG!
07-07-2014, 12:01 AM
#13
Senior Member
07-07-2014, 09:12 AM
#14
Senior Member
Disagree. Tires of the same size, P-series compared to LT load range C tires, the P-series tire will be stronger.
...
Granted, 18" LT load range C tires will weigh about 8 pounds more than P-series tires of the same size, so maybe that translates into a stiffer sidewall. But it does not translate into a stronger tire with more weight capacity.
...
Granted, 18" LT load range C tires will weigh about 8 pounds more than P-series tires of the same size, so maybe that translates into a stiffer sidewall. But it does not translate into a stronger tire with more weight capacity.
I also suspect that the LT's heavier construction translates into a tire more resistant to punctures, pot-holes and road debris. In that sense, I suspect they are "stronger" even if they have the same weight capacity of a P tire.
07-07-2014, 10:59 AM
#15
Senior Member
I replaced the RSA's with LT Falken Wildpeaks and they give a much crisper feeling. The RSA's were floaty.
07-07-2014, 02:34 PM
#16
Member
Thread Starter
When I purchased the boat, the dealer adjusted the tongue weight to what I remember as 10% of the boat weight. I remember it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 lbs. I pulled a double axle uhaul trainer several hundred miles and had similar bounce feeling. Depending on the road conditions, its not always pronounced. Just trying to resolve with the least out of pocket and DYI. Thanks for the feedback.
