New Michelin Primacy XC for tow vehicle

[Troutboy]

I have a question regarding the tires on my new 2018 F150 XLT, with max tow package. This is my first pickup for towing, used to use JGC.

The stock tires that came are Michelin Primacy XC. I searched the forums and found no discussion on these tires. I think they are new.

I am wondering if they are good tires for towing my AS. I have a 2017 23D Flying cloud. The payload (1800 lb) on my F150 and the towing power/capacity are adequate (10K+ lbs). the FC is 6000 lb fully loaded max.

The tire specs and a link are below. Are these good tires for AS towing?

From the tire itself:
Micheline Primacy XC
275/56R18 116T (T rated)
Treadware 480
Traction A
Temperature B
Tread plies - 2 ployester, 2 steel, 1 polyamide
Sidewall plies - 2 polyester
E2 F7440C
Max load: 2756 pounds
Max pressure 44 PSI
Made in USA
DOT APB9 015X 4017
Micheline M+S
Tubeless radial 116T

Link to info from Michelin website:https://www.michelinman.com/tire/mic...c#prod_onglets

Hoping Tireman or other experts can tell me if these are good or if I need a different tire for maximum safety.

Thanks!

[Troutboy]

Picture of the tires below in the truck.

[Ray Eklund]

My F350 2016 Diesel came with Michelin LTX AT2 LT225/70/R18 with 3640# Maximum Load at 80psi. Front at 65psi and rear at 80psi on sticker specification. Load Range E.

Yes... the F350 rides like a truck. That is why these tires were a big plus for me towing. Excess capacity? Probably... but I have no complaints after 23,000 miles.

The majority of people buying a F150 want a pickup truck that rides like a car. Comfort. Tires included that mirror this need of comfort.

Toyota Tundra's also used 'comfort tires' that wore out fast and for anyone towing, purchasing better tires was something to do sooner, that later. The Goodrich tires on our 2008 Tundra double cab would puncture through the center on a gravel NFS road.

When you load the trailer onto the hitch and your fishing equipment into the bed of the F150... you probably are already adding more weight to these tires, than Ford expected. Go to the nearest Costco and pull one of these tires off the rack... and push down and then lift for weight. Then a LTX AT2... do the same.

You will understand. Works for me and I have no clue about how a tire is made, but when they outlast my vehicle... give me a set of five.

[slowmover]

Ford is more than sensitive to exploding tires, etc. We are a long way from 1998. Both manufacturers work together to get this right, as pickups are an incredibly inappropriate choice for the average family man, but an incredibly profitable vehicle for the manufacturer.

Stone Age vehicle tech. But not the tires. That’s the most advanced item on the vehicle.

So, while you’ve made a poor TV choice, the OEM tires are unlikely to be the problem which matters

[CapriRacer]

I suspect these tires are a new design specifically for Fords as it is available only in 2 sizes that fit Ford pickups. They were probably based on previous designs.

Expect the tires not to get the best wear, but good fuel economy.

[GMFL]

Rich,
I agree with most of the above, for me “factory” tires has never been the best for towing but at max psi should do fine for your/our setup. They are a contract tire made for Ford that is lighter and made of a softer compound which translates into a smoother, quieter ride with decent fuel economy.
(All selling points for Ford. Oooo Sweaty see how “smooth” and “quiet” it rides, like a “Cadillac”, and look at the gas mileage.... like a “Yugo!” )
They will wear faster than harder compound tires, probably get 25000-35000 miles out of them if you keep them rotated.
Buy hey, run the heck out of them and when they wear out get something else.
As far as safety “I think” you are fine.

[Troutboy]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the input. Slow mover, why do you say it’s not a great TV? It seems to tow better than my JGC, and I now have a payload that can easily handle the AS, people and gear we bring. I have liked it so far. What would you recommend as the ultimate TV?

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Troutboy

Thanks everyone, appreciate the input. Slow mover, why do you say it’s not a great TV? It seems to tow better than my JGC, and I now have a payload that can easily handle the AS, people and gear we bring. I have liked it so far. What would you recommend as the ultimate TV?

*******
Comment in Post #4.

Toyota Tundra is the #1 pickup truck made. If Toyota builds a 3/4 ton Tundra, I will be owning one. If they also have Diesel... 4x4... it will be about time.

Ford builds the next best pickup truck. Customers vote with their $$$$$.

I owned Toyotas since 1981 to 2016. I have owned Fords... since 2016, although owned a used 1966 Bronco 4x4 in my Wyoming University days.

I am totally aware of Dodge and Chevrolet pickups. I owned a Chevrolet 3/4 pickup from 1978 to 1981... biggest mistake in my experience of being a 'Chevy Man' after my VW's.

I avoid criticizing other individual's choices of brands. I can afford to buy any brand and model of vehicle built that will tow our Airstream. If I become unhappy with my 2016 F350 diesel... it will not be temporary but permanent replacement. Other brands may all stand close to one another in workmanship and reliability... but Toyota is, by far, the most reliable brand I have had the pleasure to own.

If I step back into a 1/2 ton Tundra... I will also be looking for an Oliver Trailer that can be towed easily with the Tundra. Safety is #1 for a tow vehicle. Number 2 is the brand... it matters little of the name plate, but dependability. Price... you get what you pay for... always.

Ford has an opportunity to convince me that my choice was appropriate.

[Troutboy]

Ray, I have had very good performance from Toyota as well. Not going to get into details, but short story, my 2005 4Runner is more reliable and cheaper to maintain even at 13 years and 190k miles than my no longer owned 2014 JGC.

I wanted a Toyota truck because of the reliability, but they are WAAAAAAYYYYYYY behind on engine and transmission technology in my opinion, and that of a close friend that works for Toyota. They are due for an evehaul and he told me that is coming soon. This is my opinion, YMMV, so don’t mean that as a flame to anyone. If I could have dealt with the lower gas mileage I would have bought the Toyota. I’m am very happy so far with my F150. First truck owned and likely not last. I will likely go to a 250 next unless Toyota comes up with something and better gas mileage.

[Ray Eklund]

TB... I want to add. Many Tundras have a street tire spare on a steel rim. The spare would not match the other four tires. I was told at Toyota that the street tire was the same diameter... Oh yes... that made me feel much better...

I have had 5.7L Toyota Land Cruisers since they were introduced. Never one problem with the engine. The LC transmission is the best available, say the transmission experts. Never a leak. Never a repair. They sold quickly as a one owner vehicle.

I have never had a problem with the 2006 4.7L nor the later 5.7L Tundra engines, or transmission. I use to wear out the front differential and/or wheel bearings on the older Land Cruisers with the straight SIX. The engine was a... dog. But after 150,000 miles on the front wheel bearings and 175,000+ on the front differential.

The 2006 Tundra and older models with the 4.7L were worth a premium as the last of the 'small Tundras'. The wholesalers had immediate buyers in the Oil Patch in Canada for a premium trade in on my 2008 Tundra 5.7L.

I will be very happy if I get 100,000 miles or better on my Ford F350. So far, the power is fantastic, the brake controller works well and adjustable, and the Michelin LTX AT2 18" tires were a surprise.

I am sure other brands are nice vehicles, but having to work on cars since I was 16... the old memories of some 'brands' still haunt me. Anyone in their mid 60's or older... knows what I mean. The youngsters under 55... do not know about the 12,000 mile 12 month warranties. Warranties were short... not because they were reliable. But we sure learned how to do valve jobs, brake work and UJoints on the street or driveway.

My first pickup was a 1957 Ford V8. I rebuilt the engine in the bed of the truck, clutch and pressure plate, sold it to the Editor of the Cheyenne Tribune Newspaper who bothered me enough... that I let it go. Used the money to buy a used 1967 Corvette with a 427. (Weren't those the days!)

[Troutboy]

How did the corvette tow? [emoji12]

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Troutboy

How did the corvette tow? [emoji12]

******
The 1967 Corvette 427 L-88 with the iron heads, had the power. It also had the tires to handle most Airstreams. What it did not have, including leaf springs to handle up to... barely two people:

1- No traction. Just a little dampness on the blacktop and you would go sideways and if you liked, go the opposite direction just with a little... goosing. The weight was all in front and nothing over the back axle.

2- The heat from this big block radiated to the passengers feet. You could leave the windows down in the middle of a Wyoming Winter and still be taking clothes off.

3- Everywhere you drove and stopped at a stop light, the car next to me would see the '427' on the hood and want to challenge you to a stop light to stop light duel.

4- I sold it for $3,500 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

5- Would I do this again if I had the opportunity....

6- Damn right.

[Rocinante]

Speaking of comfort, our RAM 1500 configured for max tow came with 20" rims, so when we replaced the original Goodyear Wrangler tires - 225/75 R20 - (good ride, towed fine, but wore out in the first 40K miles), we replaced them with Michelin Defender LTX tires in the same size. Those are warranted for 70K miles, ride / tow at least as well, have a slightly higher load index (in the same load range), and have what looks to be a slightly more aggressive tread. We were unable to find any true "LT" tires in our size for our 20" wheels. So, we went with Michelin's Defender LTX tires because we didn't want to go to the trouble & expense of replacing the rims, and those tires are easily found at dealers who handle Michelin.
Have not seen the Michelin Primacy tires yet.

Tire sizes, load index, load range, and such like appear deliberately confusing to me, but here are a couple of links that may provide some info:

Load index info: https://www.tiresplus.com/tires/tire...d-index-chart/
Load range info: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret....jsp?techid=55

[Troutboy]

Gone are the good ole days when all you needed was elbow grease, some decent tools and a legible Haynes manual.

With this simple recipe one could fix almost any issue in a vehicle.

Now it’s so complicated, you need a computer science degree or programming just to tune the damn things.