Tires for Towing

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Jun 22, 2011 | 08:51 AM

ilateapex

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Tires for Towing

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9; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> I have some questions about tires for my van for towing. I have a 1998 E350 Club Wagon with the V-10 and 3.73 gears. It has 130K miles on it and I have owned it for the last 4 years and 40K miles. Of those 40K miles 35K of them have been towing. I tow a 30’ enclosed trailer that weights about 9500 lbs. The van has been upgraded with Bilstien shocks and a motorhome rear sway bar. I use a Hensley Arrow weight distributing anti-sway hitch. The van does a pretty good job of towing but I am always looking to improve it. I was looking at replacement tow vehicle but can’t seem to figure out what to use that has the versatility of the van. So, I am back to making some improvements. The reality is that it is quite good just the way it is but thinking of making some more upgrades to get it better if possible. For your information, I have done all the load balance stuff and tongue weight measurements and the trailer is pretty well balanced with the van. What I am trying to fix as much as anything is keeping the van more stable when passing tractor trailers. I get that sucking in and pushing away effect which is not that hard to control but I would like to reduce it some more if possible.

My first question is about tires. I have 245/75/16 Load E tires all the way around. Typically run the rears at max 80 psi when towing. I have been looking at dually conversion but really don’t want to do that if I don’t need to. I would imagine that 8 sidewalls would resist sway more than 4 but not sure. My experience with box trucks does not lead me to believe this. I have thought about the spacers for the rear to have the rear track follow the front but not sure how much that would help either. So to tires. I am thinking about putting a larger tire on the rear. Maybe a 29X10.5X16 if they make such a tire with high load range. This would be similar to the tractor trailers running super singles instead of dual. I would keep the stock size on the front or could change it if it would help. I would not mind getting a smaller diameter tire to help with gearing but that is not a big deal. So, what are the sizes that may work? Anyone done this and can report back on the results?

Thanks,

Michael

Jun 22, 2011 | 12:12 PM

Bbasso

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From: infraction

I also tow a bunch with my van, 2005 V10 373 rear. My travel trailer weighs between 6500-7500 and I usually carry close to 1000lbs in the van.
And have Bilstien shocks all around.
I have and swear by my BFGs AT 265/75-16 Load E tires.
just over 44,000 miles on them and just about half worn. I don't run them at max, 68psi Front, 72psi Rear.
Zero problems, no complaints, and smooth.

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Jun 22, 2011 | 12:21 PM

ilateapex

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Thanks for the reply. I will check out those tires. They will give me about 1" more diameter and width. In looking at your picture, do you have any spacers on the rear so that it tracks with the front?

So what is the SCT by Mike @ 5 Star?

Thanks,

Michael

Jun 22, 2011 | 06:25 PM

Bbasso

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From: infraction

stock wheels, no spacers.
5 Star Tuning | Custom Dynomemeter Chassis Tuning Products and Services

Jun 22, 2011 | 06:25 PM

maples01

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Joined: May 2004

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From: Maryville

When my tires drop below 70 in the front the start wearing more than usual, remember the I-beam arrangement wears tires on it's own, now I've had my van 9 years, this is what I know, it's been aligned and camber set which is impossible to keep to speck.

Jun 22, 2011 | 06:28 PM

maples01

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From: Maryville

The narrow rear is the dumbest design, I want to space mine one day, it would tow better if it was spaced out a little, dually isn't practical due to the width become an issue in daily life, parking being one issue.

Jun 23, 2011 | 04:41 AM

JWA

Fleet Owner

Joined: Aug 2010

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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Quote:

So what is the SCT by Mike @ 5 Star?

Mike at 5 Star is almost a complete forum himself-----very, very impressive aftermarket supplier who deserves at least reading the many compliments about his products. Try the Modular Engine Forums, V8 & V10 to see what he's capable of delivering.

Tire wise I'd recommend the Michelin LTX Series, preferrably M/S or M/S2. A bit pricey but a little shopping around online can get a better deal. Right now I'm running 245/75R16's on my '00 E250 that never tows but does weigh in at 7800# as a daily driven work truck. I'll pay $206 each locally plus install/balance but am talking to a FleaBay (eBay) seller for $167 each.

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Jun 23, 2011 | 08:25 PM

maples01

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Joined: May 2004

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From: Maryville

I have a SCT from 2000, requires high test gas, works great when combined with other modifications, exhaust and intake, the transmission reprogramming makes it more than worth it, changes shift points, cutting back on wear. I have Coopers on my van, started with their all terrain, prematurely failed, yet had passed the promised mileage, the Discover HWY tread replacing them $120 each, appear to be drying out, just as the previous set had, doubt they'll see 50,000 miles, don't recommend them, but they were far cheaper than the bigger names. Ext vans require 10 ply load E tires, you will not get around that and remain safe, the narrower tire will get you more MPG as there is less rolling resistance, that's the 225/80 R-16, but I prefer wider, so run with the 245/75 R16, anything larger will throw off your speedo and decrease mileage, rolling resistance people, you gotta get the right balance. I did a lot of towing, a loaded 21' pontoon, 14' dual axle with ATV's and gear, a steel car trailer, not forgetting the ext vans aren't necessarily built to tow, and have a lower rating due to the overhang, it's a balance act.
My van weighs 8000 lbs, or at least did 8 years ago when I took it across the scale nothing has been changed it it lately, I bagged my front coils to eliminate wear caused by my wheelchair lift, man did it add to cornering, it doesn't lean a great deal now.

Jun 23, 2011 | 08:46 PM

#10

loutheplumber

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Joined: Feb 2011

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From: Mc Donald Pa

my experience with these e series vans has always been with cutaways loaded as service trucks so it may be skewed but the 06 350 I drive weighs in at 9000# everyday and at highway speeds passing tractor trailers it sways if I tow my boat(16'ski/fish) it gets really hairy now my fathers service truck also a 06 350 but it has dual wheels handles much better on the highway we dont tow much with it because it sits at 10700# so no room for tounge weight but it does do much better with no sway than my truck does I havn't added a rear sway bar to mine because the problem is more of a tire sidewall flex than body roll causing the sway

Jun 24, 2011 | 10:26 AM

#11

SilverE350

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I'm inclined to suggest 265/75 16's because they have a greater load rating that the 245's. They will however change your overall gearing and since the 6.8 makes peak torque at pretty high RPM, they may not work for you.

I installed TTC2814 front coils on my 12 passenger and can tell you that my van is rock solid when getting passed by large trucks. I'm also running 265 Nitto all terains @ 70 PSI.

Jun 24, 2011 | 10:35 PM

#12

Bbasso

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From: infraction

265/75-16 on my van did not negatively effect the speedo/ gears, as a matter of fact they corrected the speedo. It was off by a little.

No downsides so far and I've had the same wheels and tires on two vans, 2000 PSD and 05 V10.
If you can swing the $, I say go for it.
I use the Equal-i-zer Hitch 1200/12000lbs Trailer Weight - RVWholesalers.com RV Parts when I tow my TT.