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Dog_Trainer's avatar
Dog_Trainer
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015

A couple opinions about my new TV

After Pulling our new TT about 6000 miles we have decided that we really like the trailer set up and will keep it. It is a 2015 Flagstaff 831ress triple slide. I weighed it on the scale all loaded and ready to ride at GTW of 8200 lbs. I have towed this with my 2010 Ford f150 HD towing pkg and I am right at the GVW and near the GCVW.
So I found a good deal with many incentives and the Dodge family plan on a 2015 Ram 2500 st. It has a payload of 2375 lbs. It has an 11,200 tow capability and a combined tow capability of around 18,000. The power plant is the 5.7 Hemi VVT with the 6 speed transmission It has the snow chief group pkg. and a chrome appearance pkg. mostly a plain jane but a nice Radio, park assist, and rear back-up trailer brake control, tonneau cover, spray in bed liner, Bluetooth phone connect and wheel to wheel side steps. I really think this will pull my unit without problem. My F150 pulled it like a champ but the 5.4 aa little lacking. The Hemi is 390 HP and around 405 Torque.

Now for the little delima. The new truck has a wheel and tire upgrade and comes with the Firestone transforce 275/70 R18. I have Michelin LT/ms2 E rated 10 ply 275/65 R18 on my Ford. These are great tires with less than 7,000 miles on them I love this tire. The dealer will change the tires from th Ford to the New Ram at no charge if I desire. Not knowing anything about the Firestone I am wondering what to do. The Michelins have a 70,000 mile warranty. Any opinion on all of this.
Tow Vehicles
  • GBuilders's avatar
    GBuilders
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2015
    I am a firm believer in Michelin tires because of the
    mileage I have put on them. If the dealer puts them on and you get to keep the Firestone's then I would sale them as John stated above.
  • Farmerjon's avatar
    Farmerjon
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2015
    LowRyter wrote:
    sure and sell (or get credit) for the new Firestones

    x3
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jun 24, 2015
    Chit can the Firestones! Not sure if the Transforce are better than 5 or 6 years ago but I got terrible trad life out of a set back then and traction sucked on anything other than clear pavement.
    They're not worth much. Just bought a brand new set of 20" Ram take offs, tires and wheels for my 07, Transforce tires. Got the set for under $1k.
    They are fine for how I use the truck in WA right now. Probably kick them to the curb come winter though and get some real tires for towing in the mountains in the greasy Cascade concrete snow.
    Whether I keep them and run them in the summer again or dump em on Craigslist, don't matter. The rims were worth what I paid for the whole setup and I don't mind the quiet ride for now.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2015
    I highly recommend the 6.4L in the Ram. It has more power, more payload, and use less fuel.

    On the tires, your current tires are a little smaller. They will have a little less load capacity, but likely enough for a 3/4 ton. Your speedometer will read about 3% higher than you are actually moving and the odometer will measure the same amount more than actual miles traveled. Regarding the tire model itself, the Michelin LTX is a better on-road tire and should last longer.
  • azwildcat99's avatar
    azwildcat99
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2015
    Congrats on the new TV, sounds like it will do great.

    As others have said keep your Michelins for a few reasons.

    1. Warranty. You have no treadlife warranty on OEM tires and you'll be lucky to get 30-40k out of the them. The Michelins are probably a 60 or 70k warrantied tire.

    2. The Michelin is a better tire.

    3. You probably have a road hazard warranty on the Michelins from the place you bought it. Costco, discount tire, Sams, etc. all have a basic road hazard included.

    Have fun with the new Truck!
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2015
    I would echo the comment to give the 6.4 some additional consideration, and add that it doesn't require premium fuel. I think the 5.7 does (could be wrong but I thought I'd read that at some point).

    Those same Firestones came on my Ram. I am hoping the comment about poor tread life is true, because I don't like them much. They're an okay highway tire I suppose, but I'm going to put something a little more aggressive on there before too long. I'm not expecting to get much out of the Firestones but I'll put them on Craigslist and hopefully I'll get a few hundred bucks out of them.
  • ib516's avatar
    ib516
    Explorer II
    Jun 24, 2015
    I have the Firestone Transforce HT tires on my truck (all season, not all terrain type), and they are wearing well so far, but I'm only at about 12,000 miles.
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2015
    ib516 wrote:
    I have the Firestone Transforce HT tires on my truck (all season, not all terrain type), and they are wearing well so far, but I'm only at about 12,000 miles.


    What do you run them at? I've been fiddling around with different pressures and setting off the stupid TPMS light.
  • mowin's avatar
    mowin
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2015
    My transforce lasted 12,000 mi. They were so bald nascar could have used em.

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