I put a set on my 99 Dodge Dually 4x4 several yrs ago. Never been real happy with the way it drives. Being a Dodge of this era they leave a lot to be desired anyway I think, IMHO. Earlier this yr I went from a Lance 1050S to an 1181 Lance so have maxed out my truck (and then some). I've had a reblt steering gear box installed (from Redhead), Stable loads installed (made a big difference) & a Hellwig rear sway bar installed, the truck handles just fine. But it steers like ****! If its a perfect road its ok, but if any ruts or the I-5 **** that we deal with in the PNW its terrible! I have to constantly correct it, back & forth on the steering wheel, very tiring to say the least.I know that if I don't have the front tires inflated exactly to 70 lbs (as per door sticker) its terrible. The trucks got about 130k on it & is in good shape, I'm thinking its my tires picking up every groove on the road & causing it to drive worse than a normal Dodge of this era. I say this because this is my 2nd Dodge 1-ton of this era & they just don't drive as good as a Ford or Chev in my opinion. Don't get me wrong I love my Dodge's looks, the Cummins diesel, etc & have no desire to change trucks! I am going to have my front end checked out, but I believe its fine, just wondering if anyone has ever run these tires & had any problems with the handling, thanks for any replies!!

You generally can't find much better for steering tires than Michelins. Have been using the brand for over 20 years and that is what my new Ford come with. Will have to check the model tomorrow. From your description I have feeling your problem is weight distribution. I had my dually with 6500lb camper at 80 mph and handling perfect without real modification (couple of hockey pucks just in case). The only thing that keeps me from using downgrades at higher speed is fear that the camper might fly out.In your case I would start with drive via scales.

Doubt the tires are the cause, but could be some of the effect. Either way, almost 20 years old, 130k miles, HEAVY front end = you could be due for more front end work. Anything loose, rode ends, drag link, Pittman, steering box (did you put a brace on it?) steering damper, could be the cause or part of the cause. Or if it's done it forever, could be not enough caster in the front axle causing it to wander. A lot of Rams are indexed to around 3 degrees of caster. Upping that helps with road wander. Other part, is, well, they just don't handle awesome when you drop 2 tons in the bed. I'd suggest finding a good front end shop so you're not just throwing parts at it and have them check it out.

I ran XPS tires on my ‘95 F350 CC dually, and loved them. I doubt the tires are the problem. Before having the steering gear box replaced at about 200K miles, it was getting a little squirrelly though. It took almost constant input on the steering wheel to keep it going straight. There is an adjustment on the gear box to tighten it up a bit, but be careful playing with it. If you adjust the play out of a worn out unit, you will find that the steering wheel will no longer want to go back to the centered position on its own coming out of a turn. With your new TC I would weigh the truck empty and with the camper loaded to see if it is unloading the front axle. You may find that it’s taking a lot of weight off the front. :):)

first I would weigh the truck. Than using This chart see what your tire pressure should be.If that does not solve the problem, I would than get the alignment checked loaded. I bet the toe might be out a little.

I'm on my second set. Run 80 lbs all 6 tires when camper is on. I got about 50k miles on the first set. My problems mostly revolve around balance issues. Seem to have noticeable vibrations around 70 MPH without camper on board. Less noticeable when camper is on but I tend to stay below 70 when loaded. Time to get tire balance checked and possibly rotated again.Rick

Michelin XPS Traction Tires, Anybody Ever Run These?

14 Replies

towpro
Explorer
Nov 27, 2017
first I would weigh the truck. Than using This chart see what your tire pressure should be.

If that does not solve the problem, I would than get the alignment checked loaded. I bet the toe might be out a little.
NRALIFR
Explorer
Nov 27, 2017
I ran XPS tires on my ‘95 F350 CC dually, and loved them. I doubt the tires are the problem. Before having the steering gear box replaced at about 200K miles, it was getting a little squirrelly though. It took almost constant input on the steering wheel to keep it going straight. There is an adjustment on the gear box to tighten it up a bit, but be careful playing with it. If you adjust the play out of a worn out unit, you will find that the steering wheel will no longer want to go back to the centered position on its own coming out of a turn.

With your new TC I would weigh the truck empty and with the camper loaded to see if it is unloading the front axle. You may find that it’s taking a lot of weight off the front.

:):)
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Nov 27, 2017
Doubt the tires are the cause, but could be some of the effect.
Either way, almost 20 years old, 130k miles, HEAVY front end = you could be due for more front end work. Anything loose, rode ends, drag link, Pittman, steering box (did you put a brace on it?) steering damper, could be the cause or part of the cause.
Or if it's done it forever, could be not enough caster in the front axle causing it to wander. A lot of Rams are indexed to around 3 degrees of caster. Upping that helps with road wander.
Other part, is, well, they just don't handle awesome when you drop 2 tons in the bed.

I'd suggest finding a good front end shop so you're not just throwing parts at it and have them check it out.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Nov 27, 2017
You generally can't find much better for steering tires than Michelins.
Have been using the brand for over 20 years and that is what my new Ford come with. Will have to check the model tomorrow.
From your description I have feeling your problem is weight distribution.
I had my dually with 6500lb camper at 80 mph and handling perfect without real modification (couple of hockey pucks just in case). The only thing that keeps me from using downgrades at higher speed is fear that the camper might fly out.
In your case I would start with drive via scales.

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Michelin XPS Traction Tires, Anybody Ever Run These?

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