Tow Vehicle Tires upgrade

[alex800]

I need to upgrade the tires on my TV (2011 Expedition EL) due to some recommendation from other knowledgeable folks. I’m towing 7500 lbs travel trailer and recommendations that I upgrade my tires to load range D or E tires. There are not a lot of options in my tire size (275/55/20). The only tire I was able to find that is load range D rated is BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA KO2 LT275/55R20/D which is about $237 per. The other tire I’m considering is Nitto Terra Grappler AT which is XL rated that is about $190.

I need some recommendation. Should I spend additional $200 for D rated tires or will XL would be a safe choice?

I currently have Pirelli Scorpion STR with less than 2000 mi on them.

[Caryite]

One last question. My dealer installed them at about 36-37 psi. What are folks setting your psi to when you tow? How about when you don't, do you deflate them?

Thanks

[Caryite]

Got the K02s installed and couldn't be happier for how it handles. Noise is not really noticable at all I've found it smoother than what I would have thought. Looking forward to towing this week with much greater control on my TV.

[Caryite]

Thanks for the feedback. Definitely looking forward to not having to adjust the PSI and having a better towing ride overall. Much appreciated!

[alex800]

Caryite wrote:

alex800 wrote:
Broke the bank yesterday and installed new KO2 tires....

Wow, those look great. Considering the same KO2s for my 2011 Expy to tow my 6.5K lb TT. How have you found the KO2s to perform when both towing (for handling) and without (noise)?

Do you have to adjust the inflation as I've been doing for my P tires between towing and not towing?

Thanks, hope they are working out well for you this camping season!

Love the new tires. Completely different towing experience with them VS old P tires. They are handling pretty good with and without TT. Did not notice any additional noise. The only difference I noticed my truck became a little stiff but maybe because I do not bother deflating the tires when I’m not towing. I keep them around 55psi. I'm not sure if I can deflate them to Ford recomended 35psi. In other words I don’t know what the minimum psi is for KO2.

[Caryite]

alex800 wrote:
Broke the bank yesterday and installed new KO2 tires....

Wow, those look great. Considering the same KO2s for my 2011 Expy to tow my 6.5K lb TT. How have you found the KO2s to perform when both towing (for handling) and without (noise)?

Do you have to adjust the inflation as I've been doing for my P tires between towing and not towing?

Thanks, hope they are working out well for you this camping season!

[APT]

Sweet! They look fantastic! I bought my prior TV new, 2003 F-150 Supercrew 4WD. I traded in the OEM tires at 250 miles for the BFG AT KO, slightly larger than stock. I loved the look, just like the KO2 on your Expy.

The stock tires on our Suburban look pretty good too, kind of aggressive AT tire. I plan to replace them in the next couple weeks, probably with a lot more humble looking tire. It's hard to argue with the performance and tire life of the Michelin LTX M/S2.

[alex800]

Broke the bank yesterday and installed new KO2 tires....

[alex800]

I decided to get BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA KO2 tires but will wait few weeks until Black Friday. Maybe there will be some kind of a deal. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

[4x4ord]

alex800 wrote:
Another silly question. Should I be focusing on load range rating only or should I look at Max Load rating? For example my current Pirelli rated for 2403 lbs max load. Goodrich All-Terrain TA KO2 are 2680 lbs and Nitto Terra Grappler are 2833.

I’m not looking to increase my towing capacity instead I’m after more stable and safest ride while towing.

Generally speaking for truck tires the following is true (p rated tires especially vary by load index):
Max load is determined by a function of the tire size and the tires inflation pressure. Load is always stated @ a certain inflation pressure. A tire designed to carry more weight will be constucted to handle a higher inflation pressure or be a larger tire. Load range or ply rating are synomous terms. The load range tells you only part of the story. Tires with a D range are designed for 60 psi....E range - 80 psi .....G rated tires have a 100 psi max inflation value.

[alex800]

Grit dog wrote:
Look at 275-60 or 285-55 LT tires. There are plenty of E load in those sizes only nominally taller than your tires.

I just checked tirerack.com. Nothing in D or E other then BFG tire.

[Grit_dog]

Look at 275-60 or 285-55 LT tires. There are plenty of E load in those sizes only nominally taller than your tires.

[agesilaus]

I have Rugged Terrain T/A LT275 / 70R / 18 but I guess the KO2 must be different.

BK

[alex800]

So anybody have any feedback about BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA KO2? I know its a new tire but...... 😉

[agesilaus]

ScottG wrote:
When it comes to the handling while towing, the load range (D, E, etc.) is more important than the overall capacity in pounds. I learned this one the hard way when I let some idiot at a tire store trick me (didn't say they were D's) into putting LR D's with a higher weight capacity on my old 3/4 ton. Handling was terrible after that.

Well some of that difference may be due to tire construction. I replaced my original tires with General Grabbers and the truck handling instantly took a turn for the worst. Even tho both were LR E. When I got rid of the grabbers a month ago and went to the BFG T/A the truck handling got better and so did fuel mileage.

BK