mrlynn
Active Member
2013 Expy EL XLT (5.4L, 6-spd auto, 4WD, factory-towing pkg). General Grabber HTS 60 (275/65R/18) tires have only 37K on them, but are 6 yrs old and tread is getting low, so I am thinking of getting new all-seasons for winter.
Outside of winter, we sometimes travel with a modest-weight molded-fiberglass 21' trailer (Escape 21C), dry weight under 4,000 lbs, max maybe 5,000, using a Fastway E2 weight-distribution hitch; tows straight, no sway. The Generals do all right, but I am thinking of switching for maybe better tread-wear and handling. Tire Rack throws up Continental Terrain/Contact H/T, Cooper Discoverer HT3, and Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, among others. Other sites tout more.
My Generals are 'Standard' load-rated, which I assume is 'D'. Most of the articles I have read on-line say that if you're towing trailers, to go for load-range 'E'. Our Expy manual says it's good for towing up to 9,000 lbs. When I bought the Generals, we had an even lighter fiberglass Casita to tow.
Question: Is D or Standard load OK, or should I spring for E? And/or should I look for 'XL' not 'SL' / 'Standard Load'?
Local mechanic can get whatever I want (there was a rebate on the Generals when I got them). Michelin Defenders seem to be getting highest ratings for all-round all-season tires. We don't really need off-road capability, so all-season radials for mostly highway use should be fine. Eastern MA roads are generally plowed, so full-winter tires are not really necessary—used to run snows on my van's rear tires in the winter, but these days just the all-seasons. We do get a lot of wet weather, so rain (and ice) performance is important. The Expy does have 4WD, though I rarely need it.
Thoughts/experience/recommendations/warnings welcome!
Outside of winter, we sometimes travel with a modest-weight molded-fiberglass 21' trailer (Escape 21C), dry weight under 4,000 lbs, max maybe 5,000, using a Fastway E2 weight-distribution hitch; tows straight, no sway. The Generals do all right, but I am thinking of switching for maybe better tread-wear and handling. Tire Rack throws up Continental Terrain/Contact H/T, Cooper Discoverer HT3, and Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, among others. Other sites tout more.
My Generals are 'Standard' load-rated, which I assume is 'D'. Most of the articles I have read on-line say that if you're towing trailers, to go for load-range 'E'. Our Expy manual says it's good for towing up to 9,000 lbs. When I bought the Generals, we had an even lighter fiberglass Casita to tow.
Question: Is D or Standard load OK, or should I spring for E? And/or should I look for 'XL' not 'SL' / 'Standard Load'?
Local mechanic can get whatever I want (there was a rebate on the Generals when I got them). Michelin Defenders seem to be getting highest ratings for all-round all-season tires. We don't really need off-road capability, so all-season radials for mostly highway use should be fine. Eastern MA roads are generally plowed, so full-winter tires are not really necessary—used to run snows on my van's rear tires in the winter, but these days just the all-seasons. We do get a lot of wet weather, so rain (and ice) performance is important. The Expy does have 4WD, though I rarely need it.
Thoughts/experience/recommendations/warnings welcome!