Tire Blowout Questions

JBarca wrote:

Cyclops69 wrote:
I am in the process of upgrading my axles, brakes, rims and tires and am going with the Michelin LTX tire as I have had great luck with them in the past and they are a quality tire. But still highly recommend a pressure monitor for the early warning!

Hi,

I'm assuming you are going LT tires and on the TT. I have no issue with your thoughts process on LT tires as a TT tire, however I will pass along a comment on using that exact type of tire, Michelin LTX, as a trailer tire. If that is what you where going to do. I have and use LTX on my non towing vehicles. A great tire. The ride is better, the quality is very high, no issues.

I have found the hard what that going with the premium highest quality tire I thought was right as a towing tire on my truck turned out to be a big issue. In my case, I made a wrong decision with the LTX. Here is why and what I found.

The LTX is rated to handle the weight and even decrease rolling resistance. However, the LTX has a softer side wall then other LT tires and that is a concern when towing. Side wall flex can make or break a towing rig. Too much sidewall flex and you have a situation that will create a rig instability. Stiff enough, and you have good rig stability. The issue in the industry is, there is no rating for tire side wall flex or at least that I am aware of as it relates to the needs of towing a camper.

The RV'er is left to chance, good luck, bad luck or finding someone with the same or similar rig that knows that brand/type tire worked OK. Those towing with 1/2 ton P type tires on their truck even have this problem all that much worse. Some P type tires have low side wall flex, others are sog city even at max pressure. This side wall flex issue carries into LT tires.

Here is my post from 2007 where my rock solid 2500 Suburban setup turned ugly from changing tires. Both from side walls flex and feathering wear on the "rear" tires.

Stability Effect When Changing Tires - GM 3/4 Ton Suburban

With that said, their are folks running the LTX on their trucks and have no issues. (BarneyS, OK jump in here...:B) And some of my other camper buds with and F250/gasser or 2500 Burb and a Hensley no less, found the same issue I did on my K2500 Suburban when going to LTX. Once the tire reaches close to max side wall pressure, using the LTX on a truck as a towing tires, is usable.

If I read your post correct, you want to put the LTX on a TT. While running them at max side wall pressure may help stiffen up the side wall enough to be tolerable, you now have the tandem axle turning scrub issue. Look at the link I sent you and see the pictures of my rear truck tires at 80 psi and the feathering going on. Now sort out in your own mind, will this be OK on a tandem axle setup when the tire may be close to full weight and dealing with the scrub of turning?

Based on my experience, I know I will not use the LTX as a truck towing tire. I would not even consider it as a TT tire from a side wall flex and or turning scrub angle perspective.

My point, before you buy the LTX, research out has anyone used that tire in your size and under your loaded TT weights on a TT and what was the outcome? Ideally you can find more then 1 person to base your opinion on.

What drove you to the decision to use LTX on the camper? I will say there is a new LTX over the vintage I had back in 2007, never found yet exactly what they changed but it is different.

As FYI, I went BFGoorich Commercial AT on my LT tire conversion. With my rig, under my weights and suspension upgrades, I am a happy camper that I did so far. See here

Good luck and hope this helps.

John

Never had a problem with P rated tires and a 750 pound tongue weight. They key to towing with P rated tires is to inflate them to MAXIMUM PRESSURE. Remember, most half-tons come OEM with P tires. And those same tires are considered when taking all tow specs in to consideration for that particular truck. Most weekend towers use their half tons for everyday drivers and the weekend comes and they do not increase the pressure when hooking up the family camper.