TV tires, please advise

[LucaBluPlus2]

Getting ready to pick up the new trailer in a few days, all set with the exception of tires and need some peace of mind.

TV is a 2004 suburban 1500 4WD, ProPride hitch and 25fb Flying Cloud. I just bought brand new tires about 700 miles ago and would like to avoid buying new tires again right now.

Suburban has Goodyear P265/70R17 standard load tires on it now. I understand that putting an E rated tire on is in our best interest, perhaps the Michelin LTX M/S 2s. All said, I would like avoid dropping $1,200 to put them on right now but I do want to be SAFE.

Can I use the tires I have and wear them out THEN put the Michelins on? Or, am I jeopardizing our safety?

[7GenTex]

Which Goodyear tire model?

Check the weight limitations on your existing tires. Compare them to what you think / though you may need. I bet they are close............

Compare to rear axle max weight allowed.

I would guess (hope!) the rear tires max load exceeds the rear axles max load on a 1500 series Suburban. If so, you will run out of allowable payload before you exceed the tires max rating.

Weigh the TV, (ready to camp / tow) and by axle.

Weigh the TV (by axle) with the TT hooked up (once with WD bars off and once with WD bars on if possible)

You "might" be fine................it depends.

Do not exceed max payload available on the TV (includes tongue weight)
Do not exceed the tire load capability by axle. (rear includes tongue weight)
Do not exceed axle capability.(includes tongue weight)
Do not exceed GVWR (includes tongue weight)
Do not exceed combined GVWR (TV and TT)

Clear as mud?

FYI - I pull a #5k trailer with a #650 tongue weight with Michelin P265/60/18 LTX A/S 109T (2271 lbs. rating) tires on the TV - a F-150 SuperCrew. My rear axle rating is 3,850 lbs. so the tire's max exceeds the rear axle max by a large margin. (2,271 x 2 = 4,542) I will run out of payload or GVWR before I exceed the tire's limitations.

I'm guessing, and please double check, but I think you will be fine.

[dkottum]

A quick look may be to assume 1200# tongue weight (and that's the high side) fully loaded trailer, with the ProPride distributing 400# to each truck axle, and 400# to the trailer axles. You will have added 800# to the truck.

Add that to everything else you carry in the truck, and compare the total to the payload capacity printed on the truck's door placard to see if you are under. If you have put tires on that are the proper tires for your truck, you are good.

[LucaBluPlus2]

"Clear as mud?"

Yes, pretty much exactly. <Scratches head> I am off to find my calculator....

Thank you both for helping.

[Loob]

Hello,

First off, contact Andy Thompson at Can-am rv in Ontario canada. He is the expert on tow vehicles and air streams period.

I towed my 27' trailer with my former 2004 Yukon XL Denali, 6.0L, AWD.

Andy recommended a tire change for me.

Geolander G051, LT 245/70/17, load range D

Unbelievable what it changed in towing and handling and fuel.

Look him up, you won't be disappointed.

Mike

[Loob]

Oh ya,

I towed a few thousand FYI, canadian prairies with headwind, and the canadian Rockies.

These tires were unbelievable.

70,000 miles and 7/32 left of tread.

[willapus]

I tow with p 265/65r17 on my 2005 sequoia. Your tires are taller which can contribute to sway problems. I would and do tow at max psi, which is 45 for my tires. Do double checking weight ratings. P tire weight ratings are deducted by 10% when put on trucks and SUV s because of the higher center of gravity. I have tried e rated tires and they did help combat sway problems. However, the ride was very harsh and am glad to be able to trailer with my slightly newer sequoia and it's p rated tires.