One or more tire question…
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 0
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
One or more tire question…
First for some back ground to my situation.
I bought an Excursion about two months ago knowing that it needed to have the front ball joints replaced, but what I missed were the mismatched three Michelin LTX M/S and one Michelin LTX M/S2 tires. So even after the ball joints replaced, and the truck aligned, the truck wanders BADLY.
So of course the next step is to replace the tires. What I thought I would do is get as large as possible an E rated tire as I can, but I have questions first…
Since I am not a tire expert and I routinely pull a travel trailer, I really need to know the difference between a D and E rated tire. I know it’s the number of ply in the sidewall but what does that really do?
I like the idea of the bigger D rated tires but I am afraid that the D rated tires may cause me to still have the wander issue and may wear poorly compared to an E rated tire due to my pulling a travel trailer.
I also wonder if the wander issue going to be worse with the bigger tire regardless of the E or D rating.
I will be using the stock 16x7 rims and I’m looking at:
Can I put the above tires on the stock rims?
Am I asking for trouble knowing that I will be pulling a travel trailer?
Will these wheel tire combinations cause the wandering issues to be even worse?
Ugh…so many questions!
HELP!!!!
I bought an Excursion about two months ago knowing that it needed to have the front ball joints replaced, but what I missed were the mismatched three Michelin LTX M/S and one Michelin LTX M/S2 tires. So even after the ball joints replaced, and the truck aligned, the truck wanders BADLY.
So of course the next step is to replace the tires. What I thought I would do is get as large as possible an E rated tire as I can, but I have questions first…
Since I am not a tire expert and I routinely pull a travel trailer, I really need to know the difference between a D and E rated tire. I know it’s the number of ply in the sidewall but what does that really do?
I like the idea of the bigger D rated tires but I am afraid that the D rated tires may cause me to still have the wander issue and may wear poorly compared to an E rated tire due to my pulling a travel trailer.
I also wonder if the wander issue going to be worse with the bigger tire regardless of the E or D rating.
I will be using the stock 16x7 rims and I’m looking at:
- BFG AT TA KO in 285/75/16E
- BFG AT TA KO in 305/70/16E
- BFG AT TA KO in 295/75/16D
- Wrangler DuraTrac 285/75/16E
- Wrangler DuraTrac 315/75/16E
Can I put the above tires on the stock rims?
Am I asking for trouble knowing that I will be pulling a travel trailer?
Will these wheel tire combinations cause the wandering issues to be even worse?
Ugh…so many questions!
HELP!!!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 2
From: Greensboro, NC
If you are at the stock height then you may not want to go larger than 285 as it may rub. As far as D or E rated tires - most here will just say to get E rated tires regardless. The real answer is to look at the entire specs and look at the load ratings for each tire you are considering. For the maximum load on any tire it has to be inflated to the maximum air pressure - so for E's that is 80psi and for D's that is 65psi. Which do you typically run at? D rated tires are 8 ply and E rated are 10 ply - so they are a bit stronger but it's not a complete picture. I went from Firestone Transforce A/T in E to the Mickey Thompson in D and have less wander and more stability. They tow my boat great which is about 10,500lbs depending on fuel/water/gear on board. I have several customers running the BFG's and like them for the traction but they aren't getting the wear they would like. Don't have any first hand experience with the Duratrac's. Good luck.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
Likes: 761
From: Houston, Texas
285s will easily fit without any rubbing
295s are a rare size and hard to find or order when or if you need a replacement
305s are a great choice for filling up the wells with no lift. They look like they should've been the stock size and don't rub much if at all. JaySVX stuck some under his '04 and has no complaints so far: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...new-shoes.html
315s you defnitely need a lift for. My truck is lifted 6 inches and comfortably fits under my truck with very little rubbing.
From the sound of things, 305s would fit the bill since it comes in a load range "E", fills the wells, and will be able to handle your truck and trailer with ease.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
I had the stock bfg 265's for 90k + great miles and still had tread on them, just the edges were wearing from the hard cornering 
Went to Discount and they talked me into some 285 d's "with more load rating than your e's"....
Should have considered the minimum wage source of the info but I went with it...
liked the way they filled up the wheel well better than the 265's, but HATED the pull back and forth on the next weeks 1000 mile trip !!!
White knuckle driving and darting at anything over 60...
went right back to them and got some e's ...
Went to Discount and they talked me into some 285 d's "with more load rating than your e's"....
Should have considered the minimum wage source of the info
but I went with it...liked the way they filled up the wheel well better than the 265's, but HATED the pull back and forth on the next weeks 1000 mile trip !!!
White knuckle driving and darting at anything over 60...
went right back to them and got some e's ...
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 3
From: Texas
Interesting comments. I have stock 265/75R16 BFG All-Terrain AT/KO's (D rated) on the front of my EX and tow a 7500 Lb trailer. ( I have
E's on the back and never move them to the front). I do not seem to have the same wandering, quick darting issues that se plauge others.
Maybe air pressures are at play?????
E's on the back and never move them to the front). I do not seem to have the same wandering, quick darting issues that se plauge others.
Maybe air pressures are at play?????
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 0
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
All of the above sizes will fit with a few differences...
285s will easily fit without any rubbing
295s are a rare size and hard to find or order when or if you need a replacement
305s are a great choice for filling up the wells with no lift. They look like they should've been the stock size and don't rub much if at all. JaySVX stuck some under his '04 and has no complaints so far: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...new-shoes.html
315s you defnitely need a lift for. My truck is lifted 6 inches and comfortably fits under my truck with very little rubbing.
From the sound of things, 305s would fit the bill since it comes in a load range "E", fills the wells, and will be able to handle your truck and trailer with ease.
285s will easily fit without any rubbing
295s are a rare size and hard to find or order when or if you need a replacement
305s are a great choice for filling up the wells with no lift. They look like they should've been the stock size and don't rub much if at all. JaySVX stuck some under his '04 and has no complaints so far: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...new-shoes.html
315s you defnitely need a lift for. My truck is lifted 6 inches and comfortably fits under my truck with very little rubbing.
From the sound of things, 305s would fit the bill since it comes in a load range "E", fills the wells, and will be able to handle your truck and trailer with ease.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
Likes: 761
From: Houston, Texas
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 0
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
What tires did you order, the BFGs or the Dura Tracs. I have Wrangler Silent Armours now with about 65000 miles on them and will probably need to replace them this fall and have liked the look of the Dura Trac. Either way, post some pics of the new shoes!
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 0
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
I ordered the BFGs in 305/70/16E since they are the biggest tire I can get that is E rated and doesn't require me to lift the truck...I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 0
From: Shelbyville, Indiana
I've never really liked the Raised White Letters...one more thing to keep clean and when the wife "curbs" it she rubs them off anyway...
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
Likes: 761
From: Houston, Texas
Be sure to post back on how your new BFGs handle your trailer...
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 2
From: Summit, MS
I just got some 285/75/16 BFG AT KOs and in the load E, they don't come with white letter. Bummer, cause I actually like the look of the white letter. Oh well, awesome tires!!