Tires for Towing Travel Trailer

[rollinstone]

I think my Defenders are going on 3 years. Very satisfied. I check pressure and rotate on a regular schedule. I’m towing about 3500 lbs. Pressure stays at 35 psi. towing or not.

 

[VBreithaupt]

Just put on Defender LTX from Costco. Way better ride and did great job with my 28ft trailer this summer. Way better then factory tire.

 

[Pawpaw]

275x70x18 BFG KO2's on stock wheels. I run 65 psi when towing and 40-42 psi for daily driving. Almost 20K miles on them now and very satisfied with them. Good traction on and off road.

 

[JasonH]

275x70x18 BFG KO2's on stock wheels. I run 65 psi when towing and 40-42 psi for daily driving. Almost 20K miles on them now and very satisfied with them. Good traction on and off road.

What tire did you run before and how are the KO2s on noise? My Coopers are nearing end of life and are getting progressively louder. But I was very happy with them for the last 60K miles. No punctures and good tread life.

 

[Pawpaw]

What tire did you run before and how are the KO2s on noise? My Coopers are nearing end of life and are getting progressively louder. But I was very happy with them for the last 60K miles. No punctures and good tread life.

My FX4 came with Michelin Primacy 275x65x18 P rated tires. Had a little over a thousand miles when I took them off and sold them. Had the BFG TA/KO's in the past and were the best tires I ever owned. Son in law runs the KO2's on his 3/4 ton trucks and swear's by them. Almost 20 K miles on mine and they've been great so far. Not noisy on the road and running at 40-42 psi for daily use not too rough at all. I went up one inch in height but the same width as the stockers to help hydroplaning on our crappy SE Louisiana highways. Only lost about 1 mpg but I still get 17 mpg around town and up to 21 mpg hwy. Mine is a 4x4 but has the AWD instead of 4Hi which I really like. 3.73 gearing with E-locking limited slip rear. Only 1 mph under using GPS so speedometer is close enough for me. Getting ready to hook up the camper and air up to 65 psi for towing. Goodyear Endurance on the camper set at 80 psi. I had Michelin LTA AT2's E rated on my dually that I really liked also. More of a highway tread design. Had almost 40K on them when I sold the truck over 2 yrs ago. Pulled a 17K pound Solitude 5th wheel with the dually. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[ACJ990]

My FX4 came with Michelin Primacy 275x65x18 P rated tires. Had a little over a thousand miles when I took them off and sold them. Had the BFG TA/KO's in the past and were the best tires I ever owned. Son in law runs the KO2's on his 3/4 ton trucks and swear's by them. Almost 20 K miles on mine and they've been great so far. Not noisy on the road and running at 40-42 psi for daily use not too rough at all. I went up one inch in height but the same width as the stockers to help hydroplaning on our crappy SE Louisiana highways. Only lost about 1 mpg but I still get 17 mpg around town and up to 21 mpg hwy. Mine is a 4x4 but has the AWD instead of 4Hi which I really like. 3.73 gearing with E-locking limited slip rear. Only 1 mph under using GPS so speedometer is close enough for me. Getting ready to hook up the camper and air up to 65 psi for towing. Goodyear Endurance on the camper set at 80 psi. I had Michelin LTA AT2's E rated on my dually that I really liked also. More of a highway tread design. Had almost 40K on them when I sold the truck over 2 yrs ago. Pulled a 17K pound Solitude 5th wheel with the dually. Good luck with your decision!!

Do you feel the weight of the tires have impacted your daily driving and/or towing experiences? I've been looking at the new Falken Wildpeak AT4W, but those things are coming in north of 60lbs.

 

[Pawpaw]

Do you feel the weight of the tires have impacted your daily driving and/or towing experiences? I've been looking at the new Falken Wildpeak AT4W, but those things are coming in north of 60lbs.

I probably lost about 1-1/2 mpg due to tire weight and rolling resistance. Tires are 33x11 so they're one inch taller then stockers but same width. BFG shows weight as 57 lbs so they are not light either. Much better when towing vs the stock P rated tires due to the stiffer sidewalls and heavier construction to avoid punctures. Falken makes some great AT tires also. I bought a set for my grandson's '09 Pathfinder years ago and they were still on when he traded it in. I've got the 3.73 gearing with the max towing so the vehicle has no problem turning heavier tires. Best of luck with your decision!

 

[ACJ990]

I probably lost about 1-1/2 mpg due to tire weight and rolling resistance. Tires are 33x11 so they're one inch taller then stockers but same width. BFG shows weight as 57 lbs so they are not light either. Much better when towing vs the stock P rated tires due to the stiffer sidewalls and heavier construction to avoid punctures. Falken makes some great AT tires also. I bought a set for my grandson's '09 Pathfinder years ago and they were still on when he traded it in. I've got the 3.73 gearing with the max towing so the vehicle has no problem turning heavier tires. Best of luck with your decision! View attachment 80540

Thanks!!

 

[ACJ990]

Ended up finding a set of black OEM 20’s on marketplace and fit E rated Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLTs to them. The difference between this setup and the 22” wheels + Hankook tires is night and day with regard to stability. Non towing, I’m at placard numbers for PSI. Towing, I bumped to 50 front and 60 back, cold. If anyone has better thoughts for PSI on these, let me know.

Really happy with this setup. Putting on Sumo Springs today and ordering the rear Hellwig this week.

 

[JasonH]

View attachment 80640

Ended up finding a set of black OEM 20’s on marketplace and fit E rated Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLTs to them. The difference between this setup and the 22” wheels + Hankook tires is night and day with regard to stability. Non towing, I’m at placard numbers for PSI. Towing, I bumped to 50 front and 60 back, cold. If anyone has better thoughts for PSI on these, let me know.

Really happy with this setup. Putting on Sumo Springs today and ordering the rear Hellwig this week.

You can check the load index chart for proper psi. My recollection was high 50s was the minimum for my 7k trailer, but I've always just gone straight to 65. I might try going a bit lower next time as they are firm. I think they need more air than what the door placard calls for when the vehicle is unladen. They aren't to be run at the lower pressures the C tires use.