Thanks! I always carry my tools with me the quality of these trailers can be pretty poor. Yes, I repack the wheel bearings every second year.

I'm actually trying to decide on new tires right now and can't choose between the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 XL (275/65R18 XL) and the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 E (LT275/65R18/E). On one hand, the XL should provide a better ride and handling when the truck is empty. On the other, the E-rated tire may offer better stability and confidence while towing. Since I only tow 5–6 times a year, I'm not sure which trade off makes the most sense. Any thoughts?

 

Goodyear Duratrac RT E-load rated at 37psi are the best tires I have ever run on my truck. Great in rain, snow, and are pretty quiet with Kevlar and aggressive treat. I have run BFG, General Grabber, Blizzak DMV2 for ice, original Duratrac, and now these Duratrat RT which beat them all and they were all on the same truck over 200k miles time. They are on the pricey end of what you can buy, but seem to be worth the extra cash. I run 275-55-20 in the winter and 305-55-20 outside of snow season. On an ecoboost running hard, I would think about changing spark plugs since the 3.5 turbo is a bit hard on plugs. I have had that engine in a Expedition and an Explorer sport. They like to carbon track and misfire at times so I don't run them to 100k but do them every 50k to be safe and only run Ford plugs.

 

Thank you. Any idea what the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 XL (275/65R18 XL) actually is? I can't seem to find any useful information on the XL version. Based on the specs, it looks almost identical to my OEM tires, but AI keeps telling me it's a stronger tire. I was hoping to find something a bit stronger than stock without stepping up to an LT tire.

Spark plugs are next on my maintenance list as well. I've read that the EcoBoost can be pretty hard on spark plugs, especially when towing.

 

Tire Rack shows the specs. 2756 pounds load rating per tire. (Which is the same rating as the OEM tires.)
Compared to the same tire in load range E with 3417 pounds load rating.

Pretty good tire test report from Tire Rack - https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests...tires?ttid=335

If you're asking specifically what the XL designation means it stands for eXtra Load and is explained in this article. Every tire in the OEM sizes is at least an XL rating.

 

9000 lb trailer is going to need at least 900 to 1000 lbs on the hitch for safely towing. Kind of in F-250 land there. Weight distribution hitch? I know on mine, I added a leaf and then installed air bags along with it to kind of get away with towing heavy sometimes without a weight distribution but the trailer had good brakes and the truck has an excellent brake controller from the factory that works very well. My leaf add on increased spring rate by 750 lbs and I run the air bags at 35 all the time due to all the crap I carry in the bed permanently to keep it leveled out and looking like it is empty. The aluminum trucks were sprung a lot softer than the 2014 and before steel body ones were. I know when I moved all my stuff between a 2006 and my new 2015 at the time, it really sagged. I had to do leaf and bags on that one also to use it like I would use it. I know they say some F-150 configurations can tow 12k lbs, but in the real world, that is a lot of weight on a F-150. Yea it might pull it and get it moving fine, but control and braking are a different story. Then throw in hills, wind, curves, and wet conditions, white knuckle baby.

I had a travel trailer that weighed 8k lbs. I also have a 2022 F-350 with the 7.3 gas and 4.30 gears that I used. One day I was lazy and thought I would just move it 20 miles with the F-150. Pulled fine, just it was not nearly as stable even on flat Illinois land. Trailer was totaled by thieves stripping it out where I parked it for storage when they cut all the wiring so the F-350 just sits now without a job to do anymore. The F-350 pulled it like really nothing even in the mountains out West.

 

Thanks for the detailed input. I’m already using a weight distribution hitch and trailer brakes, and the setup has been working within ratings on my 2018 F-150 3.5 EcoBoost, but it’s definitely close to the limits.

I am also considering moving to an F-250 at some point, but the prices...

Right now I’m mainly focused on choosing between an XL and an LT Load Range E tire for a bit more towing stability versus everyday comfort.

 

Also if you want, Helwig makes a rear sway bar that really helps a lot for stability pulling trailers and cornering when not pulling a trailer. I have put the sway bar on the last 4 F-150s I have had and will do in the future on any new ones I get. Also a good set of rear shocks like Fox or Bilstein really help a lot. The super 8.8 rear axle seems to be ok. I had one in my 2015 and had zero issues with it for 130k miles before totaling it. The 9.75 on the other hand seems unable to get past 100k miles without a rebuild. I rebuilt my 2006 four times in 400,000 miles and my 2018 was rebuilt at 100k and now has 200k with no issues. Once I changed to Amsoil severe gear 75-140 in front and rear axles on every truck I own, I have not had a single bearing failure. I know Ford says 75-90 on the fronts, but seeing how many front diffs fail, I run 75-140 there. Same on my Expedition that runs AWD mode a lot in the winter and no front axle problems now at 100k miles. I have used Ford, Red Line, Royal Purple, Valvoline, BG, Mobil 1, and all have failed except for the Amsoil. I don't know what is in their special sauce, but it holds up and works. Ford Performance make a rear diff cover for the 9.75 that has a drain which makes it much easier to do the rear. I have not found a front cover with a drain yet I can use. I don't push transmission, axles, or transfer cases past 50k miles even on my F-450's. Transfer cases for some reason get really bad looking fluid which surprised me running LV oil.

 

Thanks, appreciate the advice. I already have Bilstein 4600s, but they're about 6 years old now and getting pretty rusty, so a replacement may be in my future. I'll definitely look into the Helwig sway bar. For some reason, I seem to see rear sway bars mostly on Ram trucks.

 

Bridgestone Weatherpeak might do it. This is what I replaced the OEM load range "C" tires with. They are an XL rated 18" highway tire. My truck being an HDPP came with Wrangler LR C tires. With the Bridgestone tires I can run lower pressures without loosing handling or having a squishy ride yet pump them up enough I can pull my boat. I Don't tow heavy any longer but I do have a set of LR C tires on the original rims. I was tired of the ride and noise of the LR C tires and since they could only be had in an AT tread I wasn't keen on doing it again.

I'd pass on the sway bar and get the Roadmaster Active Suspension. The SD version is more than adequate.