Sorry for the long post. I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4. I just replaced tires-went from Michelin 285/75/16 to BFG all terrain 265/75/16. Hooked up the TT and headed off to the coast. When we got on the Interstate it felt like I was driving on ice, like the back end of the truck was going to come around. When small sedans would pass me I could feel the trailer and truck being sucked in like a tractor trailer was passing. Got off the highway and took back roads to the beach, it was a little better but still had to over-steer to go straight. When we got home I switched back to Michelins 265/75/16. I still notice the sway when pulling with these tires. I don't know if the difference is due to changing tire size. I currently use the Blue Ox Sway pro and have adjusted the ball height to account for the smaller tire size but this hasn't corrected the issue. Does anyone have any ideas. It's not to bad when traveling local, but I don't want any part of driving like this on a long trip. Thanks for any ideas or suggestions. I have had the TT for 1.5 years and this hasn't been a problem until now.

These tires are the same as the old ones other than tire size. They are load range E,12 ply.

New rubber does flex with a trailer behind it. Soft AT tires are worse. A deep tread depth and low air pressure will add to the problem. I like to put as much miles on a worn tire as possible because I'm pulling.

No telling if you aren't running the right tire size. The correct tire size for your vehicle is on the sticker on your door jamb

Replaced tires on TV, now feels like driving on ice

22 Replies

CapriRacer
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2014
I have a hypothesis that it is the waxes in the tire migrating to the surface in new tires that is causing the squirmy feel.

New tires will have much of this wax on the surface and while the first few miles will scrub that off, it gets replaced by wax that is imbedded in the rubber matrix - it migrates to the surface. This migration diminishes over time so the net effect is that it stabilizes at some low level.

This might explain why the phenomenon appears in both all season and all terrain tires, but is worse in all terrain tires (more rubber to draw the waxes from and the taller rubber is a bit more flexible)
leatherhead612
Explorer
Apr 22, 2014
Guys I appreciate all the replies, it seems most of the comments are regarding all terrain tires, and I understand. But these are not AT tires, and they have 3000 miles on them. Wouldn't the "new rubber" be worn off by now?
mosseater
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2014
Your tires are "hair brushing", that is, new soft rubber and deep AT tread makes the tires squirm as they take loads, much like a hair brush pushed around on a counter top on it's bristles. My Yokohama Geolanders did this for about 1000 miles tile they stabilized. They've been great ever since. Give yours some time.
leatherhead612
Explorer
Apr 21, 2014
BurbMan wrote:
Yeah....no. OEM rims are only 6 1/2" wide and not rated for anything bigger than a 245 size tire. You "can" get 265's on there but 285s too big. With the rim being too narrow, it doesn't allow the tire to sit right and track right. I went to 16x8 rims when I went to 265 tires and have no handling issues. The BFG having an offroad lug allows more squirm vs. the Michelin hiway tread pattern.

I originally replaced OEM's with Michelin LTX 285's. That's what I had when I purchased the trailer. Drove from OH to NC, NC to PA and many local NC trips no problems whatsoever. I replaced the 285's with BFG All Terrain 265's (the tire store would not put 285's on my stock wheels)and since then I've had the handling issues. Looked great but handled terribly when towing. I immediately switched back to the Michelin LTX in a 265. They are somewhat better but still handle poorly.
BurbMan
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2014
Yeah....no. OEM rims are only 6 1/2" wide and not rated for anything bigger than a 245 size tire. You "can" get 265's on there but 285s too big. With the rim being too narrow, it doesn't allow the tire to sit right and track right. I went to 16x8 rims when I went to 265 tires and have no handling issues. The BFG having an offroad lug allows more squirm vs. the Michelin hiway tread pattern.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2014
Yep. I have noticed more wiggle from new tires. Takes a while to wear the wiggle out.
CND_SuperCrew
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
dodge guy wrote:
The tires will require a few hundred miles to break them in (heat cycle). this makes the tires less squirmy! look up new tire squirm or heat cycle and you`ll see this is common with many new tires.

+1

As long as they are load E and properly inflated- 80psi while towing, you're fine. As above, it just takes some time to break in. Much more noticeable while towing...
leatherhead612
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
Tom&Dee wrote:
leatherhead612 wrote:
The Michelin's are LTX M/S. I mistyped earlier they are not 12 ply tires (that is what my TT tires are) The truck tires are 7 ply. Is that typical for truck tires hauling this weight.

Do you mean 8 ply? That truck should have 10 ply (load range E) on instead of load range D. The E tire takes up to 80 psi and the D tire takes up to 65 psi. Maybe double check to see what you have on the truck?

It is load range E but I added all the number of "plies" and the total is only 7, 5 in the tread, and 2 sidewall
bguy
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
More air.
Tom_Dee
Explorer
Apr 20, 2014
leatherhead612 wrote:
The Michelin's are LTX M/S. I mistyped earlier they are not 12 ply tires (that is what my TT tires are) The truck tires are 7 ply. Is that typical for truck tires hauling this weight.

Do you mean 8 ply? That truck should have 10 ply (load range E) on instead of load range D. The E tire takes up to 80 psi and the D tire takes up to 65 psi. Maybe double check to see what you have on the truck?