I just switched to Michelin LTX MS2's from GY's
03-01-2014, 07:03 PM
#41
Retired and loving it!
Thread Starter
How much air are you guys running in them, loaded and unloaded? I'm unsure if the stock wheels can handle 80 psi, which I assume is the max these LTs can take. We're looking at a 8,000lb trailer and I think LT tires are the way to go but, again, unsure if my wheels can take it.
Love my Michelins (P's)!
Love my Michelins (P's)!
I am going to keep an eye on the wear pattern every time I rotate them. If 45 is too much unloaded, then I'll back off some.
03-01-2014, 10:47 PM
#42
I replaced the stock Generals with those Michilin's on my 02 XLT, and was extremely satisfied. They had over 70K on them when they were replaced and still had quite a bit of tread left. But they were on my truck over 8 years and were starting to crack pretty bad in the tread area and a little weather cracking on the sidewalls. You won't be disappointed.
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Adobe2X (03-02-2014)
03-02-2014, 02:18 AM
#43
Retired and loving it!
Thread Starter
I replaced the stock Generals with those Michilin's on my 02 XLT, and was extremely satisfied. They had over 70K on them when they were replaced and still had quite a bit of tread left. But they were on my truck over 8 years and were starting to crack pretty bad in the tread area and a little weather cracking on the sidewalls. You won't be disappointed.
03-02-2014, 09:50 AM
#44
03-02-2014, 01:16 PM
#45
Senior Member
I always thought you went with what the door sticker says. 35 psi or whatever it says. If you over inflate don't you just wear out the center of the tire quicker???
03-02-2014, 01:24 PM
#46
Retired and loving it!
Thread Starter
From what I am reading, the psi requirements for a "P" rated tire are WAY different that for an "E" rated tire.
For the standard four ply MS2, you should follow the factory door figures. But when you convert to the LTX, which is 10 ply, I am thinking that you need to move closer to 75% of the rated maximum (which is 80 psi) for daily use, and closer to 85% or so of the maximum when towing.
Lots of folks are saying that they are running 60 to 70 pounds in their LT tires and getting close to 100K miles out of them.
I currently have 45 psi in mine and they "look" low to me on the sidewall shapes. If someone here is knowledgable about this issue, please advise ASAP, as I do not want to put many miles on these expensive tires with them under inflated!!!
Last edited by Adobe2X; 03-02-2014 at 01:35 PM.
03-02-2014, 01:42 PM
#47
Replacing Tires on Light Trucks
03-02-2014, 01:57 PM
#48
Retired and loving it!
Thread Starter
Have a look at this pdf document from Nitto. Very good info in there and outlines the dangers of running an LT tire under inflated.
Replacing Tires on Light Trucks
Replacing Tires on Light Trucks
I am very disappointed in my tire shop that they recommended 40!!!
There is an 800 number for Michelin that you can call for tire advice (though they are closed on Sunday...darn!!!), and I am not going to put even one more mile on my new tires until I put them up to pressure, and get some expert advice to do so.
03-02-2014, 02:39 PM
#49
I stepped up to a P275/65R18 & the truck handled better.
Sounds to me that IF you run a narrow tire that a LT or E tire handles better on a narrow rim due to reduced flex for cornering & reduced side-wall squish for towing BUT also if you just step up to a wider P-rated tire on a narrow rim then it will handle better in cornering also & add air psi to reduce side-wall squish for towing.
Adding rubber (say in wider for stability wise) adds weight & stepping up from a P-rated tire to a LT or E rated tire adds weight also.
From my researching stepping up from a P-rated tire to a LT-rated tire "in the same" size adds ruffly 10lbs to a tire which is more weight than say going wider.
The tire shop told me to run 40 psi when not towing and 60 to 65 psi when towing. I always believe in running a little more on the low end than the factory recommendation, so I have them at 45 psi right now.
I am going to keep an eye on the wear pattern every time I rotate them. If 45 is too much unloaded, then I'll back off some.
I am going to keep an eye on the wear pattern every time I rotate them. If 45 is too much unloaded, then I'll back off some.
I also notice that the speed-o-meter changes with the changing of psi (by GPS). (Minor but still shows).
Towing
I increase air psi for towing also to counteract the increased weight on the rear tires & its tendency to squish a tire more.
I pull a dual axle open car trailer that has radial tires & a single axle 18' boat trailer that currently has bas-ply tires (soon to have radials as bas-ply squish very bad & requires increased throttle).
TIDBIT-On a trailer its recommended to increase air psi if running over a certain mph.
Wear
I got 45,000 miles on my P265/65R18 Michelin LTX (wearing them out) & so far have gotten 35,000 on my BFG Rugged Trail T/A which are due for replacing this year.
(Even though the taller tire had less revolutions than the smaller tire LoL)
.
Last edited by Fordjunkync; 03-02-2014 at 02:41 PM.
