Anyone regret going to LT Load E tires?

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LazSlate

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You wont notice any difference. I always get the higher rated. The load range has nothing to do with tire tread and compound (unless its a special load rated tire). Its strictly the amount of plys in the tire.
The amount of flex from the tire on the highway will not be felt and it also depends on the rim size. The smaller the rim the more sidewall you will feel. But you wont notice going up one or 2 plys in load rating.
 

Huntsw1

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I run Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 LT load range E tires. They're a little louder than the stock tires, but the ride isn't bad. I keep them aired down in the mid-upper 40s unless I'm towing.
What pressure when towing? How much weight are you towing?

I am going with these same tires towing 7500 lbs
 

Squark

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What pressure when towing? How much weight are you towing?

I am going with these same tires towing 7500 lbs
My trailer is about 7800lbs. According to my last visit to the CAT scale, my front axle is 3080lbs and rear is 4040lbs with the trailer hooked up and weight distribution engaged. I follow the load chart here for my size tires (LT275/55R20): https://tirepressure.com/lt275-55r20-tire-pressure. I also add a couple PSI for a safety margin, so I'm usually around 45psi front and 52psi rear when towing. Some people say to go higher for a stiffer sidewall, but I'm afraid of overinflating and reducing the contact patch on the road. I need all the grip I can get.
 

chuck s

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There's a tire pressure sticker in the door jam and that pressure will support the truck's GVWR. Increasing tire pressure or fitting LT tires does firm up the sidewall and will increase the tire's weight capacity but does not change the the vehicle's weight ratings. Look at the weight capacity of the OEM tires and they're more than competent and greatly exceed the axle weight ratings.

You're getting close to GVWR with a 7800 pound trailer and at least 780 pounds (10% is the minimum for a conventional trailer) on the ball. Your tongue weight is?

Seems most folks run out of cargo capacity before they run out of towing capacity towing conventional trailers due to tongue weight. (Motor) Boat trailers put much less weight on the ball due to their geometry and aft weight placement.

-- Chuck
 

Squark

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There's a tire pressure sticker in the door jam and that pressure will support the truck's GVWR. Increasing tire pressure or fitting LT tires does firm up the sidewall and will increase the tire's weight capacity but does not change the the vehicle's weight ratings. Look at the weight capacity of the OEM tires and they're more than competent and greatly exceed the axle weight ratings.

You're getting close to GVWR with a 7800 pound trailer and at least 780 pounds (10% is the minimum for a conventional trailer) on the ball. Your tongue weight is?

Seems most folks run out of cargo capacity before they run out of towing capacity towing conventional trailers due to tongue weight. (Motor) Boat trailers put much less weight on the ball due to their geometry and aft weight placement.

-- Chuck
Those are good points. My tongue weight is 900lb, which is the limit for my Expy. I shifted weight around in the trailer to get it down to 900lb. My GVWR is 7720lbs and I'm at 7120lbs with the trailer in tow. My front axle is rated at 3550lbs and I'm at 3080lbs. My rear axle is rated at 4380lbs and I'm at 4040lbs. I've made many visits to the scale to make sure I'm in line with the numbers.

But all that said, it's still a lot of trailer for the Expy. I'm looking at getting a Super Duty or RAM HD. My travel trailer is 33' long, and that big of a sail with that much weight pushes the Expy around (no sway, just push from wind and semis). I have a ProPride hitch, Bilstein shocks, and LT tires. All of that helps, and it tows fine in ideal conditions. But I've pulled in 35mph crosswinds and it's not comfortable.
 

Squark

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You've done the homework! Replacing the truck all depends on how often you tow plus spending $60,000 (?) for a few tows a year wouldn't make economic sense to me nor would driving -- and parking -- a F250 every day. :)

-- Chuck
You hit the nail on the head. We have 3 kids and don't want to lose the third row seating. Plus maneuvering and parking the truck in the city doesn't sound like fun. We looked at downsizing the trailer and keeping the Expedition, but then looked at fifth wheels and realized how nice it would be to have the extra space. We only camp 6-8 times per year, so is it worth it? I haven't decided yet. If I had the funds I'd keep the Expy and add a truck to the driveway. :)
 

chuck s

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We don't own an "RV" we have a camper. Roo 23SS hybrid is under 6000 pounds and 30 feet long when open with more floor area and sleeping space than a box travel trailer. Plus my wife insists on sleeping in a tent which in this case is just steps away from a full bathroom and kitchen. Two queen beds plus the dinette and sofa as needed and there are models with three queen beds. This camper is now on her 3d tow vehicle. First couple of years an Explorer did the work. Expeditions are overkill but overkill always works.

Our use may not be common or fit your needs. We rarely spend much time in the camper other than sleeping. We spend the days exploring and usually leave after breakfast and return for dinner. We don't need a house on wheels (5th wheel) for this.

-- Chuck
 

Polo08816

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You've done the homework! Replacing the truck all depends on how often you tow plus spending $60,000 (?) for a few tows a year wouldn't make economic sense to me nor would driving -- and parking -- a F250 every day. :)

-- Chuck
Is parking an F250 CCSB that much more difficult than parking a F150 CCLB? If the 1/2 ton and HD pickup are both crew cabs with 6.5-6.75 foot beds, I don't think it's that much more difficult to park. But if you're comparing against an F150 with 5.5 foot bed, then you have a point.

The exterior dimensions of 1/2 ton pickups have certainly increased over the years that I would argue they are not that much smaller than a comparable HD pickup.
 
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