1/2 ton Tow Vehicles, what size tires are y'all using?

[Gbreaux3]

Just trying to find out from the folks using 1/2 ton trucks to pull those 7k to 8k lb trailers. What size tires are y'all using?

I have the Yokohama Spectra X, 275/55/20 XL/RF 117V, maximum pressure 50 psi. Was thinking of trading for Nitto Ridge Grappler 275/55/20 Load E, maximum press 85 psi., but was told that might not be necessary and would add weight to my tow vehicle negatively impacting mpg unnecessarily. ??

I am planning on getting the tire minder monitor system for the trailer and tow vehicle to keep an eye on inflation and temperature while towing.

Any thoughts from the 1/2 ton guys and gals would be appreciated.
thanks

[Riverman]

I would never tow a 7-8k pound trailer with a 1/2 ton truck.

[geezerbob]

Originally Posted by Riverman

I would never tow a 7-8k pound trailer with a 1/2 ton truck.

How do you feel about that?

[wags999]

Originally Posted by Gbreaux3

Just trying to find out from the folks using 1/2 ton trucks to pull those 7k to 8k lb trailers. What size tires are y'all using?

I have the Yokohama Spectra X, 275/55/20 XL/RF 117V, maximum pressure 50 psi. Was thinking of trading for Nitto Ridge Grappler 275/55/20 Load E, maximum press 85 psi., but was told that might not be necessary and would add weight to my tow vehicle negatively impacting mpg unnecessarily. ??

I am planning on getting the tire minder monitor system for the trailer and tow vehicle to keep an eye on inflation and temperature while towing.

Any thoughts from the 1/2 ton guys and gals would be appreciated.
thanks

You need to check the drivers door post and get the cargo capacity of your truck. You deduct from that number, passengers, cargo, hitch and balance of cargo capacity will give you the tongue weight of the RV you can tow. You can't accept the tongue weight in brochures as you will need to add Batteries, propane and the amount of cargo in the RV. This will give you an idea of what size RV you can safely tow. You typically will run out of the cargo capacity long before you run out of tow capacity.

Good Luck.

[Gbreaux3]

Trailer is 6700 lbs, but was asking the question in general to all the people who do tow trailers in this range, up to 7800 lbs or so, with 1/2 ton trucks, what type tires they were using. Trying to see if some of them are using the 10ply Load E tires on the 1/2 tons and how do they like them.

[Gbreaux3]

@ geezerbob, How do I feel about what ?

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by Gbreaux3

@ geezerbob, How do I feel about what ?

As you can see the Friday night idiots are out and its hard to understand what they are talking about. I would not waste my time asking this type of question on here, most just answer to be posting something. Talk to a local trusted tire dealer, you will get better answers

[redsnapper]

LT truck tires are fine......ie: LT275.70R17/18 10 ply rated.

Weight a bit more....yes.
Fuel econ......you won't even notice.
MUCH more weight capacity YES


Get them.....YES.....Nittos are great tires........wear like iron.

[Gbreaux3]

@sundancer330 -agree with you 100%.
@redsnapper -that's what I was thinking. I know the 3/4 tons use them, but haven't seen a lot of the 1/2 tons rolling on 'em and was just wondering how they liked them.
The trailer has 10 ply, so I thought the truck could benefit from them too.

[redsnapper]

Originally Posted by Gbreaux3

@sundancer330 -agree with you 100%.
@redsnapper -that's what I was thinking. I know the 3/4 tons use them, but haven't seen a lot of the 1/2 tons rolling on 'em and was just wondering how they liked them.
The trailer has 10 ply, so I thought the truck could benefit from them too.

Had LT size on my last F-150......seriously.....I noticed very little difference with the ride or the mileage........

P sized tires means PASSENGER...

[Bilz]

285/65/18 BFG KOs load range E(10 Ply). Great tire usually get 35 to 45 K. 85 psi max Typically run 60-65 in rear 55 in front when towing. Pulled a 9500 toyhauler for 10 years with the Tundra. Truck originally had SL load tires. The E range has less side wall flex. Also they are tougher when you air down to go in the sand in places such as Glamis or Pismo. Toyhauler are a different animal then TTs since you add a significant amount in concentrated areas. I put 10 ply tires on the toyhauler as well.

[geezerbob]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

As you can see the Friday night idiots are out and its hard to understand what they are talking about. I would not waste my time asking this type of question on here, most just answer to be posting something. Talk to a local trusted tire dealer, you will get better answers

You are correct I was not helpful with my comment, it was a very poor attempt at humor and I apologize. I will be more careful with my responses.I have Goodyear Wrangler AT/S p 265/70r17. I have pulled the tt that you can see below and haven't had any problems if that helps
Bob
p.s.
I didn't appreciate being called "a Friday night idiot" though.

[SkyBound]

Alright my man, I can help you out with this as I learned a ton a few years ago when I was faced with the towing and tires dilemma.

My truck came with P rated Pirelli Scorpion tires from the factory. Max inflation pressure was I believe 44psi. They were 275/55/20 if I recall correctly. They were rated to handle the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) but not much more.

They were terrible in the snow and even worse towing. They felt like I was rolling on marshmallows when loaded up. I pulled them off when my truck had 6,000km and went up to a LT tire in Load Range E.

I increased tire size to 285/60/20 which equates to a 33.4 inch outside diameter. I chose to go with the Goodyear Duratrac. They are the lightest mud tire out there in load range E in their respective size. While outside diameter does affect your towing ability and fuel economy, tire weight also has a big factor in this as well.

For every pound that you increase your wheel weight by (unsprung weight) it simulates a 9lb load on your truck. For example, if you get new tires and each one weighs 20lbs more than the originals, you have added 80lbs of unsprung weight, multiplied by 9, gives you a 720lb result. That means your truck will *feel* like it's hauling around 720lbs all the time.

A 20lb/tire increase is not an exaggerated figure either. Some tires I looked at in my size were over 70lb/tire which is more like 25lb increase.

Taller tires, heavier tires, and wider tires all make the engine work harder to turn them. Asthetically I would have loved to put a bigger lift and 35s on my truck but I wanted to maintain good towing ability. I noticed probably 2L/100km drop after the lift and 33s which isn't bad. I also have 3.73s and the large tow mirrors which create drag.

I tow around 7,000lb loaded and it's a beast. I did decide to tune it to get some power back and a little extra, but it wasn't demanding it. I have about 70,000km on these tires and there is still about half life left. Good alignment and habitual rotation is key with tires like the Duratrac. They provide great traction even in the winter (snow flake rated) because of their softer compound, but that can cause fast wear. My brother in law scrubbed his off in less than 40,000km on a heavy diesel with an off alignment.

I believe there is nothing to lose and everything to gain by going with a tougher tire. Running a Load Range E on a half ton to me is good insurance, good performance, and the firmer ride is welcomed. I run 45psi unloaded, and for towing I run 50psi front, 60psi rear.

Hope this helps, any more questions, fire away.

[Gbreaux3]

@geezerbob thanks for getting back with me. Pretty sure that comment was directed for that guy above you you, but thanks for the apology. I do know all my towing numbers, payload included, and my truck does pull my 7400lb trailer (loaded) satisfactorily. BUT, I've only pulled it on short runs so far. That's why I was posing the question on this forum, before I shell out $1100. to upgrade to the heavier, load E range tires. Tire people aren't out there pulling these trailers, so I was asking the 1/2 guys pulling the 1/2 ton towables. thanks

[Gbreaux3]

@SkyBound thanks for taking the time to share so much great information. I learned from your response. Very much appreciated.

[Gbreaux3]

@Bilz big thanks to you too.

[Quantum]

My truck came with P rated 18" Goodyear Wranglers. My trailer weighs around 8000lbs and seems to tow really well.

We just completed a 5500km trip from Ontario to Florida and back and I had no issues.

The Equal-i-zer WDH is the key to keeping everything stable. The Ecoboost walks away with with my trailer.

When I change tires, I may go to an LT, but really I have no complaints with my P rated tires.

My tongue weight loaded for the road is 950lbs (690 dry). I'm nicely under the payload of my truck when we're all loaded up, so maybe that's why the P-rated tires are fine.

I'm sure if you're overloaded, LT will make a difference.

[SOMBATFAMILY]

IMHO. LT or P make no difference. Find out your axle weight rating. My P tires are rated 2601# each and my front axle rating is 4000# and my rear axle rating is 4250#. My P tires are well over my axle rating, no point in getting LT tire rates at 3600# each. If my axles were rated for 5000# or more then I would get LT tires.

[homer1959]

What was the question ??

Originally Posted by Riverman

I would never tow a 7-8k pound trailer with a 1/2 ton truck.

[rgchak]

I've been towing a 2015 White Hawk 27DSRL at 8,000 lbs for the past 3 years. 2015 Toyota Tundra with Bridgestone Dueler tires at 45 psi. Have never had problems with tires overheating.