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[mello mike]

I have to be quite honest. I wasn't all too confident the first time I tried to tow up the daunting Camp Verde Overpass here in Arizona over the 4th of July weekend. My F150 with the 3.55RE did outstanding pulling my 6,000lb Sovereign. I don't think I dropped below 55mph.

The only thing I'm going to do to my truck is upgrade the Michelin P255/65R17s with Michelin LT285/70R17s. I only have about 4,500 miles on these passenger tires, so I should be able to get a good price for them on CL. I might put another leaf in the rear to stiffen the suspension but that's far from certain.

[2airishuman]

good info chris...

find the gvCwr and payload.

MEASURE the curb weight (read why in da link below)

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...tml#post873363

no question tires affect rating, especially as the load increases,

but in your truck the rear end is also part of the issue.

still your size/weight/era thinking is rational.
__________

(if planning a tire UPgrade keep to the same outer diameter/size)

mike>>>going from 255/65 to a 285/70 is a nearly 9% INCREASE in rolling size...

this REALLY cuts into hp/torque at the ground and will have a NEGATIVE effect on all towing parameters.

cheers
2air'

[mello mike]

Hi 2Air,
Do you think the negative towing impact using those tires will be substantial? I'm looking to improve the profile of my F150. The P255s are too small for my liking. Perhaps LT265s?

[2airishuman]

yes !

9% is a huge size change. for a tire package.

the heavier, larger tires will be VERY SLOW off the line...

AND affect the oem brakes negatively as will mpg and the oem suspension.

the winder, taller tire will impact handling and grip, also negatively.

IF u don't wanna FEEL the negatives, keep the size increase to 3% or less.

i get the "these look small" view, because they DO look small...

especially since the fashion designer's push to put larger wheels on everything has taken over.
__________

IF u wanna get all the power from that high rev'n mota to the ground....

AND use much larger wheels/tires, the rear end needs to be changed (3.7 or 4.1)...

for comfortable handling u might need to change the shocks too...
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the designer shift to 20s or now 22s means properly sized tires/wheels in 17 or 18...

make our trucks look like they are on roller skates...

((add wheel opening moldings/wheel well flares....

these will SHRINK the oem fender cutouts a bit

and if BLACK or body color, help with the appearance of the tire/well gap...

sorta like a short fat guy wearing vertical stripes to look thinna' ))



cheers
2air'

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

IF u don't wanna FEEL the negatives, keep the size increase to 3% or less.
__________

IF u wanna get all the power from that high rev'n mota to the ground....

AND use much larger wheels/tires, the rear end needs to be changed (3.7 or 4.1)...

for comfortable handling u might need to change the shocks too...
__________
cheers
2air'

Thanks 2Air for the response.

So what size increase would result in a 3% increase? LT265s?

I've thought about a rear end change to a 3.73. What would something like that cost? I've never upgraded something like that before.

[2airishuman]

mike...

there are online TIRE SIZE calculators in cyber space.

u can plug into them and play with sizing.

or go to the tire rack website and insert YOUR truck specs...

then opt for "plus 1 sizing" options...

the RIMS on your vehicle have specific tire size limitations (like width) and load ratings ...

so u need to KNOW the wheel specs and widths they will accept for mounting.
_________

every tweak cost bucks, some more than others.

an 18 inch rim with plus 1 sizing tires is a better upgrade from a handling perspective...

but will DOUBLE the costs (gotta buy wheels)

changing out the rear end is parts and labor, with labor being significant,

figure 800-1000$ for a qualified SHOP and oem parts.

u CAN do that on a new truck, but is it wise?

depends on the long term use and how long u keep it.

the 3.5 rear ends are GREAT for increasing fuel economy

in trucks that are only occasionally used for towing/hauling loads...

when buying, it pays to KNOW your needs

and be alert to the specs offered on the dealer lot vs what IS available on a given truck model.

it always costs more $$ to REdo a truck, that to let the maker do it right on the assembly line.

cheers
2air'

[mello mike]

Good points, 2Air.

Upgrading the rear really isn't an option. The truck is brand new and we don't tow a lot, maybe 6-8 times a year. Now if we were fulltimers that would be another story. We do get great gas mileage towing with the 3.55 rear. We got 16mpg towing our Sovereign over the 4th.

I really don't want to impact towing that much so I'll probably stay with the 255s. The Michelin LT255/65R17 LTX M/S2 provides the same load at 2205lbs and a 9 PSI increase to 44PSI max. This should be more than enough for my needs. Incidentially, the 265s provide the same specs only they are slightly larger.

[2airishuman]

add cuffs to yer trowser legs and pull up those socks ...

f150 fender flares - Google Search

lots of examples of flares and the visual impacts.

again even THIS tweak is $$.

good flares are 6-700$ or more UNpainted...

so it can run 14-1500$ to add these to a new truck.

when ordered ON the truck, ford charges 3-500 $ tops.
_______

another FUNCTIONal and visual improvement is mud flaps...

these are made RIGHT HERE in the land of ahs...

they are strong, easy to install, look great, protect the rocker panels AND stream....

and NOT very expensive.

http://www.huskyliners.com/Custom-Molded-Mud-Guards

the mich' tires u mention are readily available NOW at costco...



cheers
2air'

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

_______

another FUNCTIONal and visual improvement is mud flaps...

these are made RIGHT HERE in the land of ahs...

they are strong, easy to install, look great, protect the rocker panels AND stream....

and NOT very expensive.

Mud Flaps | Mud Guards | Mud Flap | Truck Mud Flaps | Husky Mud Guards | Huskyliners.com

the mich' tires u mention are readily available NOW at costco...

cheers
2air'

Already got the mud flaps and several other upgrades from Ford (they were installed after the above pic was taken). Gotta protect the 'streams.

Costco.....hmmmmm! Thanks for the tip!!!!

[2Rhinos]

Oh yea, I was pulling a trailer, forgot it was there

[mello mike]

Sweet Truck, Rhino!!

The power of an F-250 is nice but the stiff suspension of my 6.0L PSD Excursion (same suspension as an F-250) beat the hell out of my Sovereign. Popped rivets all along the front, inside and out.

The softer suspension of my F150 is much easier on my 'streams.

[newsgauger]

Hi ‘2air’ and ‘mello mike’ et all,

You two have presented some good ideas in this thread and I’ve taken some notes, as follows:

1) Switch to LT tires;
2) Find a set (4 plus spare) of 17” rims…combine with number 1;
3) Look for a wrecked FX4…3.73 axle with electronic locking rear;
4) While at wrecker look for Tailgate Step…getting older, need assistance getting into and out of box; and
5) Check truck for front stabilizer bar…do now…I don’t believe they made this an option and didn’t include it in the Trailer Tow package.

Oh, last but not least look for A/S Travel Trailer to enjoy all those updated modes.

Thanks again for your input.
Chris

[lkpills]

Well I tried to buy new softer spring bars for either the Blue Hitch that I inherited with my trailer, or the Valley hitch I had before. Both of those had 1000lb bars. But in each case a new set of bars was over $225, so I bought a new Reese WD hitch with 600lb bars for the same price.
I buy into Andy's philosophy on soft rides for AS's so this along with the softer ride of the 2011 F250 SD and keeping the C range tires on the trailer should hopefully keep the rivets where they belong.
I also use soft water when washing it.

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by lkpills

Okay, here is a pick of the new rig!

Very nice rig combo!

-- Bill