Last Thursday, I replaced the OEM BF Goodrich Rugged Trail LT245/75R17 LRE tires with the identical sized BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2 tire.Up until last Thursday, my truck with the OEM tires (always inflated to 55# front/60# rear per the yellow sticker on the door jam) and the Jay Flight 23RB trailer were an extremely stable combo. 99.9% of all passing 18 wheelers never wiggled the combo. Normal winds had little effect.However, the first tow with the new tires and same trailer, loaded about the same, was closer to a white knuckle affair. The air pressure in the new tires was the same as the OEM tires, 55# front/60# rear.Would it help if the new tires were aired up more? Say to 65 or 70 in the rears, and 5 to 10 pounds more in the front?The basic tread design is exactly the same between the two tires. However, the new tires are 3 pounds heavier per tire, has a slightly deeper tread, and counting the heavier, larger shoulder lugs, is about .5 inches wider.Any thoughts?

I had the same problem going from Michelin to Firestone on the rear of my truck.They got better on the return trip from M.B with no pressure change. I think they had to break in a little.

I would give it a try, just don't go over the max pressure on the tires themselves. Also try inflating front and rear the same, see how that works. You have a good hitch setup, probably transferring a lot of weight to the front of the truck.

Yes, they need to go through some heat cycles. Give them a thousand miles. I would also up the pressure as you recommended. I don’t like running “E” rated tires below 60 psi.

Speaking of hitches and weight distribution - try adjusting the hitch for a little more (or less) weight distribution. With my camper, I like to tow with a heavier tongue, feels better. Also, have you changed anything in the camper? Moved things around? Any extra weight anywhere? Try moving stuff around to change the weight distribution inside the camper.

My experience with new tires is a break-in period makes a big difference. They do seem to squirm more, even when not towing, but airing them higher has helped, until adding some miles. It takes some miles, more being better, but by 5K, it is what it is.Jerry

Could it be simply a matter of more air in the tires?

15 Replies

MFL
Nomad II
May 30, 2019
My experience with new tires is a break-in period makes a big difference. They do seem to squirm more, even when not towing, but airing them higher has helped, until adding some miles. It takes some miles, more being better, but by 5K, it is what it is.

Jerry
Tvov
Explorer II
May 30, 2019
Speaking of hitches and weight distribution - try adjusting the hitch for a little more (or less) weight distribution. With my camper, I like to tow with a heavier tongue, feels better.

Also, have you changed anything in the camper? Moved things around? Any extra weight anywhere? Try moving stuff around to change the weight distribution inside the camper.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
May 30, 2019
Yes, they need to go through some heat cycles. Give them a thousand miles. I would also up the pressure as you recommended. I don’t like running “E” rated tires below 60 psi.
Tvov
Explorer II
May 30, 2019
I would give it a try, just don't go over the max pressure on the tires themselves.

Also try inflating front and rear the same, see how that works. You have a good hitch setup, probably transferring a lot of weight to the front of the truck.
dmck413
Explorer
May 30, 2019
I had the same problem going from Michelin to Firestone on the rear of my truck.They got better on the return trip from M.B with no pressure change. I think they had to break in a little.

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Could it be simply a matter of more air in the tires?

15 Replies

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