Ok, I have to add my two cents in. I can not imagine why you would want to go to Load Range E tires on an F-150. There is no way you can load the truck enough to require that range tire. Vic
It's all about sidewall strength and flex. While ride will differ slightly between the D and E load range tire, for towing I would go with the stronger sidewall. I towed my '77 Excella 500 31' from AZ. to TN. with C range LT265-75-16 tires and the trailer was shifting back and forth every time a semi came by. The same Reese WD hitch was used on a later 2500 so the hitch had nothing to do with it. I also experienced this when I fully loaded the same K1500 truck with roofing shingles. A friend following me saw the tires flexing back and forth the truck was so loaded down.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
There is an awesome publication that Ford puts out each year. (Or did the last time I checked out towing in 1997) It iis really a shet of paper that is in the dealership. It is large so it was folded several times. I believed it was titled trailer towing and camper loading.
It listed options needed to do a certain load and slide in camper requirements. In this day of the web I get the same data on line at a Ford Fleet site. Here is the link:
That link is not the home page, rather the towing guide. This is a neat site that Ford puts out. Not sure if it's going to give you the tire wheel data and you may want to seach it. It is a huge site.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - towing a - 1966 Overlander International Twin Bed
1996 Lincoln Mark VIII Diamond Anniversary 4.6L (275hp), 4R70W - 1990 Ford E 150 5.8L, E4OD, 3.55 ____________________________________
Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
Hi all, I was reading this thread and a couple questions came to mind.
I have load range D on my truck. The local tire shop wanted to sell me E. I told them the ride is too rough with load range E tires. He told me to deflate them a bit and it would improve the ride . I thought at this point he is all wet.
My truck originally was spec'd new with E. I have had D on it for 5 years and have had no problems. 60k miles of trouble free tire wear.
Are the tire shops now trying to push the load range C and E tires ? Because I had to order the D range tires.
Should I buy load range E tires and run them at a lower than specified pressure ? which seems a bit weird to me ?
Even with the D range I am over the GVWR carrying capacity on the door jamb after all the math is done.
I have load range D on my truck. The local tire shop wanted to sell me E. I told them the ride is too rough with load range E tires. He told me to deflate them a bit and it would improve the ride . I thought at this point he is all wet. .......Should I buy load range E tires and run them at a lower than specified pressure ? which seems a bit weird to me ?.....Just wondering what everyones thoughts were.
Chris, the manufacturer of your truck has stipulated load range E tires, and the Rubber Manufacturers' Association has stated (posts 37 and 38 of this thread) what pressure should be used at different loads on load E tires. Both these organisations employ skilled engineers to make these statements for our safety. Who are we to dispute these? Your attorney will be pleased you have complied with these statements if one of your tires blow, and a wreck results.
Nick.
__________________
Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
Thanks guys, I'll be going to the tire shop today. Since I had them order the D range I'll probably stick with them. But I will ask if they don't mind switching .
New to this website. Ready to replace all tires on our 2000 30' Excella as the tires were manufactured in early 2003 (D-load Marathons/225 75R 15). Have only put about 12,000 miles on current tires with no problems but know that it's time to replace them. Hearing/reading about all the Marathon horror stories and wondering what brand(s) to consider??? Have also heard that the new/redesigned Marathons have an S in a circle on them - will check ours the next time we go to storage area (under cover in open front building). Some say that the new Marathons are not an issue???? We are told that some Airstreamers are switching to Towmaster (Greenball). Any comments on that brand? We are dual axle and about 8300# loaded - any comments on using E-load tires?
New to this website. Ready to replace all tires on our 2000 30' Excella as the tires were manufactured in early 2003 (D-load Marathons/225 75R 15). Have only put about 12,000 miles on current tires with no problems but know that it's time to replace them. Hearing/reading about all the Marathon horror stories and wondering what brand(s) to consider??? Have also heard that the new/redesigned Marathons have an S in a circle on them - will check ours the next time we go to storage area (under cover in open front building). Some say that the new Marathons are not an issue???? We are told that some Airstreamers are switching to Towmaster (Greenball). Any comments on that brand? We are dual axle and about 8300# loaded - any comments on using E-load tires?
The Marathon problem was years ago.
They are fine.
Using "E" rated tires is a good way to possibly split the wheels, and to cause several different damages to the trailer.
Airstream trailers love a soft ride. A rough ride as you propose, is almost the same thing as using solid rubber tires.
If "E" tires were better, Airstream would have installed them.
The Marathon problem was years ago.
They are fine.
Andy
I realized Andy has probably already forgotten more about Airstreams than I will ever know, but I have to disagree. The Marathons are not "fine."
I just had a tread separation/blowout yesterday on my 2008 Classic. We were pulling the trailer back from the dealer. There are less than 6000 miles on the new trailer with the Marathons (just purchased last Fall). The spare already has the "bulges," and will be replaced with all the other tires this week.
A 6000 mile lifespan? I think I have bicycle tires with more miles on them.
I realized Andy has probably already forgotten more about Airstreams than I will ever know, but I have to disagree. The Marathons are not "fine."
I just had a tread separation/blowout yesterday on my 2008 Classic. We were pulling the trailer back from the dealer. There are less than 6000 miles on the new trailer with the Marathons (just purchased last Fall). The spare already has the "bulges," and will be replaced with all the other tires this week.
A 6000 mile lifespan? I think I have bicycle tires with more miles on them.
Ok, guys... a question... In June, I replaced the "D" range Steeltex tires on my Excursion with "E" range 245/75R-16 Steeltex also. I have been running about 60psi front and 70 rear with the trailer, but it sounds like I need to go a little higher to the 80psi; although 70 seemed to be fine with no induced sway, and I was under the impression that 80psi was the MAX inflation... BTW, I have towed it short distances (40 miles or so) a couple of times with the tires at 55psi (mostly 'cause I was too lazy to go get them inflated properly) and DO have sway at 55psi... go figure! Underinflation causes sway? Whoda ever thunk it?
Anyway, what do you guys run them at when you're NOT towing and loaded? I've got mine currently at 55psi, which seems to work OK, but I don't want to wear them prematurely either or potentially have a sidewall failure. The tire sticker on the Excursion actually recommends 35psi (unbelievable to me)! Firestone wasn't much help; they just say you can run them up to 80psi, but won't give a recommended psi.
Roger
The max pressure is at or near max load... within reason as you get away from max load you can back down from max pressure. Front tires are a bit different. When you load the rear you increase dynamic loading - not static loading during breaking. Hence, your inclination to run more pressure when you are loaded compared to when you aren't is correct. The relationship of pressure to loading is not linear and it at very light loads does not intersect pressure at zero. Typically, Michelin has a mandatory minimum of 75% of max inflation pressure. That is, they don't like to see the tire pressure below 60lbs on an 80lbs max tire. Still, on the 3/4 ton, I run around town with 50 in the front and 55 in the back or I'd need to carry extra glue to recement my fillings routinely.
__________________
Donna & Mike
Cowboy up! or go sit in the truck
Quick Links
. I thought at this point he is all wet. 
.
Linear Mode
