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ken56's avatar
ken56
Explorer
Aug 28, 2016

Silverado 1500, my recent experience

I have a Coleman Explorer that weighs in about 6800lbs that I tow with my 1/2 ton Silverado, 2014 5.3 engine, 3:42 gears. It came new with P265-65-18 tires and when ever I pulled the trailer I always felt some wiggle in the back end even with the tires aired up to 45lbs. I just replaced those P tires with new Michelin Defender LT 275-65-18's. My god what a difference.

First tow with them on I went and picked up a trailer for a friend that's in the 8000lb range and it pulled it like a champ. No wiggle at all that I could feel and that was with the tires aired to 35 lbs. This was a 450 mile trip and I had plenty of time to see how things felt.

Now to speak of the truck I can't say that it was under powered or anything else bad about it. It handled that trailer just fine even on the grades. I got 22mpg out there not towing and 9.7mpg on the way home towing. This trip was straight up I-81 from east TN to east of Richmond VA.

Now I am confident that the new tires will definitely improve the towing experience with my own trailer.
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7 Replies

  • ken56's avatar
    ken56
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2016
    Thanks everyone. I like to post my real life towing experiences for the "new guys" who come on these boards for info like this. It certainly helped me out when I first started. Now I debated about airing up the new tires for that return trip but I wanted to know how they felt at 35psi. The side wall says max inflation on them is 41 anyway so......

    Next trip I will air them up to 40 and see how they perform. The tongue weight on my trailer is in the 650 range although I need to go to the scales and do the whole weigh in procedure to get solid numbers. The trailer I pulled back this trip was in the 850 range so I was told, I don't know for sure.

    Still, this was a good learning experience for me to get to know my trucks capabilities. I am quite pleased.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Aug 28, 2016
    Amazing, ain't it?
    But some will still tell you you're exceeding the mfgs intention and that it is a bad thing.....
    On the upside, you can now air up for rock hard stable tires when towing and air down for a cushy ride around town.
  • HuckleberryHunt's avatar
    HuckleberryHunt
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2016
    Long ago I replaced the original p-rated tires tires on my 1500 with LT tires (Toyo Open Country A/T). I was going to get load range C, but the max weight ratings for the LT load range C tires were less than that of the equivalent P-rated tires and was worried about overloading them. Therefore, I went with an LT load range D. The carrying capacity of those tires was greater than the axel rating on the truck. I've never regretted that decision. Like your experience, those tires solidified the ride when hauling or towing. No more tire squat or wiggle. Not only that, but I've currently got over 85K miless on those tires. They're ready to be replaced, but I've got way more life out of them than expected. That simple upgrade was one of the best decisions I made.
    Some say that the Load range D are overkill and you're paying more per/tire, but at 85,000 miles and never a problem, I think I got my $ worth.
  • Snowman9000's avatar
    Snowman9000
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2016
    Yeah, those P-metric truck tires are pretty flimsy for towing, in my experience.
  • Greene728's avatar
    Greene728
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2016
    ken56 wrote:
    I have a Coleman Explorer that weighs in about 6800lbs that I tow with my 1/2 ton Silverado, 2014 5.3 engine, 3:42 gears. It came new with P265-65-18 tires and when ever I pulled the trailer I always felt some wiggle in the back end even with the tires aired up to 45lbs. I just replaced those P tires with new Michelin Defender LT 275-65-18's. My god what a difference.

    First tow with them on I went and picked up a trailer for a friend that's in the 8000lb range and it pulled it like a champ. No wiggle at all that I could feel and that was with the tires aired to 35 lbs. This was a 450 mile trip and I had plenty of time to see how things felt.

    Now to speak of the truck I can't say that it was under powered or anything else bad about it. It handled that trailer just fine even on the grades. I got 22mpg out there not towing and 9.7mpg on the way home towing. This trip was straight up I-81 from east TN to east of Richmond VA.

    Now I am confident that the new tires will definitely improve the towing experience with my own trailer.


    That's excellent!
    However, you shouldn't be towing with 35psi for any reason. I know it handled great but that is slack pressure that can cause some serious heat build up prematurely damaging your new tires. I'd say you should be at 60-65 at a minimum.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 28, 2016
    Properly set up and matching weight rantings an SUV can do a fine job of towing.

    Same goes for 150/1500, 250/2500, 350/3500

    It's when folks ignore 'actual real world' weights that none of the above are capable.

    OP......
    Good for you recognizing the 'weak link' (those 'P' rated tires) and replacing them with proper towing shoes.

    Yes.....right equipment equals easy fun towing experience
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Aug 28, 2016
    ...but ... but ... this towing anything bigger than a fishing skiff CAN'T BE DONE ... with a 1500 anything ... :):)

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