Need Tires - Planning Ahead for Travel Trailer Purchase

[StephenM]

Wanted some tire recommendations for my 2014 GMC Sierra 1500, tire size is 265-70-R17, it has a max towing of 9,900. lbs. The travel trailers the wife and I have looked at we like are around between 6,000 and 7,000 lbs dry weight. The one tire I have found is the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Can anyone confirm if these are strong enough for a trailer that size? I’m still trying to figure out load ratings on tires.

This truck is just weekend use and towing, I have company truck for the week days but I would like a good highway all weather and possible grass/dirt/trail traction but not for mud. I do drive it around my property went it’s not soaked from all this **** rain we get.

Apologize for my being a noob in all this but I want to ensure I have proper tires. Thanks in advance!

[StephenM]

Thanks for the responses guys!

[Grit_dog]

^ Agreed!
As for pressures, no worries about your wheels holding max pressure, but as jimlin said, you won't use anywhere near the capacity to require it.
For unloaded driving, front and rear somewhere between 30-40psi depending on your preferences. Front will be heavier, empty trucks like more psi up front, less in the rear.
Towing, even if you run a wdh, you shouldn't be putting much if any more weight on the front axle than empty. Keep the 40psi or so. Maybe bump up a bit if you want tries a little stiffer.
Rear, loaded with trailer? Depends on actual weight, but you should never need more than 50-55psi with your 1/2 ton unless you're significantly overloading the rear axle.

By your responses, op, you appear to be a set it and forget it type of consumer.
This is ok, sort of. Tires are flexible, lol. BUT, you will notice the difference, positive or negative, with the right or wrong pressures for the load, if you play around with it and take note.

[Lwiddis]

Looked at we liked...go with the one you fancy and get an adequate TV.

[theoldwizard1]

Grit dog wrote:
You could get by with a P/XL rated tire but if you put on significant miles, a LT tire will yield much more tire life and at the same time have more excess load capacity than you mound ever use with a 1/2 ton.

XL or LT have stiffer walls and besides more miles, they help reduce sway. Go with LT !

[Lwiddis]

If you want a TT tire to be it’s “strongest” then inflate to max air pressure indicated on the sidewall. Under inflation lowers the max weight rating.

[JIMNLIN]

I doubt your GM OEM 1/2 ton wheels are rated for those higher pressures. Better check before over inflating them.
I would run them at 55-60 psi when towing and 35 psi when not towing with no more axle load than you have..

My 2500 Dodge/Cummins has the same size Michelin LTX AS LT265/70-17 E and is a much heavier truck than your 1500.
This truck front axle weighs 4220-4280 lbs under the Cummins. I found 65 psi works best empty or loaded.

The trucks rear weighs 2860 lbs empty and anywhere from 5200-6000 lbs loaded depending on which trailer I'm using. I found 45 psi when empty and 70 when towing works out best for this combo.

Once you get the tires mounted drop by a set of scales and weigh your trucks front and rear axles separately....then figure how much psi you need in them.

[StephenM]

I found that Michelin tire in the “LT” category. Max 80 psi on the tire. Looks like this will cover me solid. I did some additional reading and I would want to run close to 70-75 psi on this tire when hauling a travel trailer but when we are not would I could air back down to GMC recommendation? Or maybe arbitrarily pick 55 psi? My door sticker say cold tire pressure 35psi.

[Grit_dog]

^ What he said.
It's not absolutely necessary. You could get by with a P/XL rated tire but if you put on significant miles, a LT tire will yield much more tire life and at the same time have more excess load capacity than you mound ever use with a 1/2 ton.

Plus that size tire is bargain priced so you have your pick without spending a fortune.

[Cummins12V98]

Go with an "D" or "E" load range and air accordingly.

[Lwiddis]

“The travel trailers the wife and I have looked at we like are around between 6,000 and 7,000 lbs dry weight” Dry? Then loaded and wet you’ll be near max for the truck. Think lighter.