Tire Sizes? Recommendations?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 133
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From: MI
Just replaced my worn out Michelin's with the new Goodyear whatever they are AT tire, most excellent. Running 63 psi rear 59 front towing 5500 lb trailer, most excellent.
Rancho 9000's at 5.
Tires are stock size.
Rancho 9000's at 5.
Tires are stock size.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 1,549
From: Media PA
Thanks for the info guys.
Cary at CT Performance was adamant that a wider rim was crucial for better stability. Other forums refer to him as "the expert" on Ex suspension and towing.
Cary T has done a lot of good for a lot of EX folks but I can't imagine why he is pushing the wider rims. I'm sure he has his reasons but my towing experience has proven to me that excellent stability can be had with a properly setup rig and the stock 16x7 rims and 265/75R16E tires. Thats what I ran before going to the 18"s I currently have and they towed and handled my over RAWR weight perfectly, no squirrelyness, no wiggles, no wandering. I ran the rears at 80PSI and saw good temps and no wear issues with 6520lbs on the rear axle for thousands of miles.
It would be great if all I had to do was swap out my worn AT tires for something new!
Do you need AT tires? My EX is our tow rig and I don't drive it in the winter or take it off road so I went with a highway tread and so far they have been great, quietest tire I've ever had on a truck and they should be better MPG wise too. I got the tires and a new TT at the same time so I can't really say what the MPG difference might be with the new tires. I'm running the Nitto Dura Grapplers.
Having said that, I also own an '09 Expedition EL. It tows far nicer, just lacks muscle for hills. The only thing it has that's bigger/better than the Excursion is tires. (275/55r20). It tracks and tows so much smoother with the same hitch and trailer.
That does make sense, the TT is within the Expy's limits and the Expy has a much more refined and comfy suspension under it. Couple that with the fact that a lot of EXs have wandering issues, both towing and running solo due to the crappy springs Ford put on them. The EX has shorter, weaker springs than their SD cousins and they suffer because of it when working like a truck, that is why EX spring swaps are so popular. Many times an EX's wandering issues are due to a rear steer problem as a result of the weak stock rear springs allowing the rear axle to wrap up and come off-square in relation to the frame. Beefing up or swapping out these springs usually corrects this issue, air bags will be more effective at load support but may not address this spring wrap issue as well as heavier springs do.
My Ex didn't wander running solo but with my heavy tongue weighted trailer the rear axle was getting pushed around pretty badly to the point of being scary. Adding a Hellwig rear sway bar made a huge difference and kept the truck pointed the same direction I was aiming it in. When I swapped in a set of modded Bs the issue was history, rear axle now feels like it is staying where it belongs, no wrap, no twisting, no steering.
To answer your questions:
My trailer is 7.5k, only a year old.
Share some pics over in the camper thread! We love campers here!
I use the Andersen WD hitch. LOVE IT btw.
I'm not familiar with the Anderson hitch, but I see that it seems to be building a good reputation over at RV.net. I use a Hensley Arrow, it works very well with the EX's wheelbase and my long trailer.
I will be on the road with me, wife, 4 kidlets for about a year. (Full USA and Canada tour)
WOW! That sounds like an excellent adventure! You will be living the dream!
My Ex has new shocks (last month), a full bulletproof (last month) and Firestone airbags (I am guessing 2 years old).
I plan on adding V/B springs and a SD rear sway bar as well. I was also thinking of a steering dampener to make it track better.
If you are having tracking issues and are considering the spring swap I would do the swap first then decide if you still need some fine tuning to get it where you want it. The springs may sort everything out by themselves. I am a big fan pf rear sway bars (either SD or Hellwig) on these EXs that tow.
As for staying within limits; I am confident I will be within GCWR and GVWR with my rig. I don't want to push it for this long of a trip.
Cary at CT Performance was adamant that a wider rim was crucial for better stability. Other forums refer to him as "the expert" on Ex suspension and towing.
Cary T has done a lot of good for a lot of EX folks but I can't imagine why he is pushing the wider rims. I'm sure he has his reasons but my towing experience has proven to me that excellent stability can be had with a properly setup rig and the stock 16x7 rims and 265/75R16E tires. Thats what I ran before going to the 18"s I currently have and they towed and handled my over RAWR weight perfectly, no squirrelyness, no wiggles, no wandering. I ran the rears at 80PSI and saw good temps and no wear issues with 6520lbs on the rear axle for thousands of miles.
It would be great if all I had to do was swap out my worn AT tires for something new!
Do you need AT tires? My EX is our tow rig and I don't drive it in the winter or take it off road so I went with a highway tread and so far they have been great, quietest tire I've ever had on a truck and they should be better MPG wise too. I got the tires and a new TT at the same time so I can't really say what the MPG difference might be with the new tires. I'm running the Nitto Dura Grapplers.
Having said that, I also own an '09 Expedition EL. It tows far nicer, just lacks muscle for hills. The only thing it has that's bigger/better than the Excursion is tires. (275/55r20). It tracks and tows so much smoother with the same hitch and trailer.
That does make sense, the TT is within the Expy's limits and the Expy has a much more refined and comfy suspension under it. Couple that with the fact that a lot of EXs have wandering issues, both towing and running solo due to the crappy springs Ford put on them. The EX has shorter, weaker springs than their SD cousins and they suffer because of it when working like a truck, that is why EX spring swaps are so popular. Many times an EX's wandering issues are due to a rear steer problem as a result of the weak stock rear springs allowing the rear axle to wrap up and come off-square in relation to the frame. Beefing up or swapping out these springs usually corrects this issue, air bags will be more effective at load support but may not address this spring wrap issue as well as heavier springs do.
My Ex didn't wander running solo but with my heavy tongue weighted trailer the rear axle was getting pushed around pretty badly to the point of being scary. Adding a Hellwig rear sway bar made a huge difference and kept the truck pointed the same direction I was aiming it in. When I swapped in a set of modded Bs the issue was history, rear axle now feels like it is staying where it belongs, no wrap, no twisting, no steering.
To answer your questions:
My trailer is 7.5k, only a year old.
Share some pics over in the camper thread! We love campers here!
I use the Andersen WD hitch. LOVE IT btw.
I'm not familiar with the Anderson hitch, but I see that it seems to be building a good reputation over at RV.net. I use a Hensley Arrow, it works very well with the EX's wheelbase and my long trailer.
I will be on the road with me, wife, 4 kidlets for about a year. (Full USA and Canada tour)
WOW! That sounds like an excellent adventure! You will be living the dream!
My Ex has new shocks (last month), a full bulletproof (last month) and Firestone airbags (I am guessing 2 years old).
I plan on adding V/B springs and a SD rear sway bar as well. I was also thinking of a steering dampener to make it track better.
If you are having tracking issues and are considering the spring swap I would do the swap first then decide if you still need some fine tuning to get it where you want it. The springs may sort everything out by themselves. I am a big fan pf rear sway bars (either SD or Hellwig) on these EXs that tow.
As for staying within limits; I am confident I will be within GCWR and GVWR with my rig. I don't want to push it for this long of a trip.
Our rig is over on a couple of the ratings but it is also running an F-350 suspension and deeper gears than Ford offered. I know it doesn't change the door sticker numbers....but I also know I'm not exceeding the various component's design limits.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2014
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Tom, I feel the same way. I have a 1-1/4" sway bar and V/B code springs on the way. That'll make a huge difference. The current springs and sway bar are wussy.
The other big change will be the tires. I've heard nothing but good things about the Michelin LT MS2, and will be putting them on 18x9 rims unless someone has a real solid explanation of why I should go larger or smaller.
Cary May not be the only expert anymore, but the laws of physics haven't changed. If wider rims added stability 3 years ago, the same should still hold true.
I'm also considering a steering dampener as well. But I'll leave that until the other work is completed.
I have Firestone airbags, and new Monroe shocks all around. Hey made a huge difference.
The other big change will be the tires. I've heard nothing but good things about the Michelin LT MS2, and will be putting them on 18x9 rims unless someone has a real solid explanation of why I should go larger or smaller.
Cary May not be the only expert anymore, but the laws of physics haven't changed. If wider rims added stability 3 years ago, the same should still hold true.
I'm also considering a steering dampener as well. But I'll leave that until the other work is completed.
I have Firestone airbags, and new Monroe shocks all around. Hey made a huge difference.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Tom, I feel the same way. I have a 1-1/4" sway bar and V/B code springs on the way. That'll make a huge difference. The current springs and sway bar are wussy.
The other big change will be the tires. I've heard nothing but good things about the Michelin LT MS2, and will be putting them on 18x9 rims unless someone has a real solid explanation of why I should go larger or smaller.
Cary May not be the only expert anymore, but the laws of physics haven't changed. If wider rims added stability 3 years ago, the same should still hold true.
I'm also considering a steering dampener as well. But I'll leave that until the other work is completed.
I have Firestone airbags, and new Monroe shocks all around. Hey made a huge difference.
The other big change will be the tires. I've heard nothing but good things about the Michelin LT MS2, and will be putting them on 18x9 rims unless someone has a real solid explanation of why I should go larger or smaller.
Cary May not be the only expert anymore, but the laws of physics haven't changed. If wider rims added stability 3 years ago, the same should still hold true.
I'm also considering a steering dampener as well. But I'll leave that until the other work is completed.
I have Firestone airbags, and new Monroe shocks all around. Hey made a huge difference.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
I have a very good equalizer hitch, the Andersen WD hitch. I'm stunned by how effective it is.
Some people, including Cary at CT, say that a wider RIM give the Ex a more stable base for towing. Rim, not tire. They claim the 16x7 rims that are original on the Ex aren't wide enough. Other people say this is B.S. and that the factory rims are just fine.
But those nay-sayers don't say that a narrower rim is better, so I'm going to get wider rims since I'm getting new rims anyways. It can't hurt, and I'm spending the money anyways. So I'll get 18x9 rims. That's nearly 30% wider than the 7" rims.
I went with the 18x9's because they fit the Michelin LT MS2 GreenX tires. I've heard nothing but good things about those tires. They have a great load index, and people have reported great fuel economy.
(I'm keeping the current rims for winter tires, and will be steel studding the tires.)
Some people, including Cary at CT, say that a wider RIM give the Ex a more stable base for towing. Rim, not tire. They claim the 16x7 rims that are original on the Ex aren't wide enough. Other people say this is B.S. and that the factory rims are just fine.
But those nay-sayers don't say that a narrower rim is better, so I'm going to get wider rims since I'm getting new rims anyways. It can't hurt, and I'm spending the money anyways. So I'll get 18x9 rims. That's nearly 30% wider than the 7" rims.
I went with the 18x9's because they fit the Michelin LT MS2 GreenX tires. I've heard nothing but good things about those tires. They have a great load index, and people have reported great fuel economy.
(I'm keeping the current rims for winter tires, and will be steel studding the tires.)
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I have a very good equalizer hitch, the Andersen WD hitch. I'ms tunned by how effective it is.
Some people, including Cary at CT, say that a wider RIM give the Ex a more stable base for towing. Rim, not tire. They claim the 16x7 rims that are original on the Ex aren't wide enough. Other people say this is B.S. and that the factory rims are just fine.
But those nay-sayers don't say that a narrower rim is better, so I'm going to get wider rims since I'm getting new rims anyways. It can't hurt, and I'm spending the money anyways. So I'll get 18x9 rims. That's nearly 30% wider than the 7" rims.
I went with the 18x9's because they fit the Michelin LT MS2 GreenX tires. I've heard nothing but good things about those tires. They have a great load index, and people have reported great fuel economy.
(I'm keeping the current rims for winter tires, and will be steel studding the tires.)
Some people, including Cary at CT, say that a wider RIM give the Ex a more stable base for towing. Rim, not tire. They claim the 16x7 rims that are original on the Ex aren't wide enough. Other people say this is B.S. and that the factory rims are just fine.
But those nay-sayers don't say that a narrower rim is better, so I'm going to get wider rims since I'm getting new rims anyways. It can't hurt, and I'm spending the money anyways. So I'll get 18x9 rims. That's nearly 30% wider than the 7" rims.
I went with the 18x9's because they fit the Michelin LT MS2 GreenX tires. I've heard nothing but good things about those tires. They have a great load index, and people have reported great fuel economy.
(I'm keeping the current rims for winter tires, and will be steel studding the tires.)
I do believe in the highest load rating on the tires (E's on the stock size).
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 69
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Apparently no offset is needed, and a 4.5" back spacing is all that's needed (dead centre). The Ex was built to take a 18x9 rim as an option on the Eddie Bauer and Limited, but it never materialized as an available option. There's plenty of room in there for these rims.
I've heard that 18x10 even fit. But I can't find a tire I like that fits a rim that size.
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From: Florida and Tennessee
I have towed with 16', 18" and 20" wheels on 2 different F250's at work and my Excursion. My Excursion "had" 16' wheels and after towing with my work F250 with 20" wheels... I'm convinced 20" is vastly superior. This is my personal experience. I'm not making a general judgement... but I now have 275x65R20 tires. I tow heavy 10K+... and this single change was the most noticalbe improvement to towing characteristics.
I use Ford OEM 20" wheels... the same used on Lariat or King Ranch F250/350.
I use Ford OEM 20" wheels... the same used on Lariat or King Ranch F250/350.
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