Help with tire replacement?

[bertro]

Hello all, I have read through this forum but I still cant pin an answer down. I have just reaquired my 02 suburban 1500 4x4. Do I really need an E load range tire to tow my 71 safari. Any recommendations would be great. Thanks Robert

[SteveH]

If the tire is for the Suburban, no, not for a 1500. (couldn't tell from you question if the tire is for the Suburban or the AS) And, I would think a "D" rated tire would be sufficent for the AS.

[overlander63]

C's would be good for the Suburban, and D's would be good for the trailer.

[bertro]

Sorry all, Yes it is for the suburban. The current tires are Mich. ltx m-s but there is no rating that I can see. I think I only towed the AS once or twice with the truck before the divorce. Sorry for the lack of info. Robert

[Bob Thompson]

Look on your tires. The weigh rating is usually written under the "S" in M/S. I'm betting they will do just fine. I've got them on my Tundra and have pulled our 25' Excella nearly 70,000 miles with no issues whatsoever.

[bertro]

The mich. are shot and need replaced. I wish I could afford another set of them but I will have to opt for something cheaper this time around. Thanks for all the replys.Robert

[bertro]

Well, I put on P265 70R 16 Mich. LTX M/S. I hooked up and traveled a coulple of hundred miles, at max pressure 35 psi in the tires they squatted the side walls hard eved w/wd. The dealer said they were 6 ply tires and they would be fine but Michelin tech. support says they are infact a 4 ply and I should not pull my safari with them. The dealer is willing to put a D rated tire on. But I just dont know if I'm safe on these LTX tires. Any thoughts to ease my anxiety driven mind. Robert

[overlander64]

Greetings Bertro!

Originally Posted by bertro

Well, I put on P265 70R 16 Mich. LTX M/S. I hooked up and traveled a coulple of hundred miles, at max pressure 35 psi in the tires they squatted the side walls hard eved w/wd. The dealer said they were 6 ply tires and they would be fine but Michelin tech. support says they are infact a 4 ply and I should not pull my safari with them. The dealer is willing to put a D rated tire on. But I just dont know if I'm safe on these LTX tires. Any thoughts to ease my anxiety driven mind. Robert

I believe that you would be well satisfied with the Michelin LTX in load range D on your 1500 Suburban. My K2500 Suburban has been on Michelin LTX tires (load range E) for the past 159,000 miles (I am on my second set -- the OEM tires were Firstones that only lasted 35,000 miles). My first set of Michelins went 88,000 miles, and my second set are still going strong and have enough tread left to safely go another 10,000 miles. In the time that I have been running Michelins, I have only had one problem and that was a flat due to a piece of welding rod picked up in a construction zone.

Kevin

[bertro]

Thank you for the reply overlander, They do not offer a ltx in d load range in my size. I have to go with another brand. These new ltx tires are only a 4 ply. Should I change them out.

[overlander64]

Greetings Bertro!

Originally Posted by bertro

Thank you for the reply overlander, They do not offer a ltx in d load range in my size. I have to go with another brand. These new ltx tires are only a 4 ply. Should I change them out.

The biggest concern that I would have in the situation is the projected use of the Suburban. Can you benefit from the higher cost of going to Load Range E Michelins (do you plan on 75,000+ miles before the tires age would require replacement)? The main reason that I have been utilizing Michelins on my Suburban is my high annual mileage -- the additional cost is offset by the durability. If my high annual mileage didn't support this, I would go with one of the two other brands that my Michelin dealer handles (my family has traded with this same tire retailer since 1973).

Kevin

[Bob Thompson]

What is the weigh rating on the tires you put on your Suburban? My 275/70/16 LTX's have written on them "2601 pounds". So for two tires that would be 5200 pounds. My Tundra has a curb weight around 4500 lbs. Assume half of the weight is on the rear tires (I know), so that would be 2250 pounds on two tires or 1125 pounds per tire. Tires are rated for 2600 pounds so I have a safety cushion of 1475 pounds per tire. Reduce that by say 800 lbs tongue weight or 400 lbs per tire and I still have a safety factor of about 1100 lbs. per tire!! Try it with your tires. If you have less than 500 lbs per tire safety factor, then start to be concerned.

[dogpound]

Hey Robert:
I pulled my 27' with a 1500 Suburban and the factory tires were much too light weight. I ended up going to a 6 ply primarily because of the weight on them when pulling the trailer. Over time they began to separate but Big O had an excellent warranty on them and when one started to separate I would pull in to a Big O and they would change it out for a new one.
I run Michelon on my 3/4 ton Ford and that is all I will run on it. They are e load rating. I had over 80,000 on the first set and now I am on the 2nd set and for $800 it is more than worth it.
Happy travelling

Bob
Member Four Corners Unit
WBCCI # 10105
AIR # 28748