E rated tire on half ton

[davidrrand]

After going through two sets of stock Goodyear Wranglers on my F150 in around
60k miles, decided to try Michelin Defender LT275/65R18 123R E1BSW. Had great success with these on prior F350 diesel. Anyone doing this with their 1/2 ton and what pressure are you using unloaded and also pulling your AS?

Thanks!
Dave

[wulfraat]

My only advice would be to air down based on the defender / load range E inflation charts and your actual axle weights when unloaded.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The load rating on the tires is in the last part of the number:

123R = 123 load index = 3417 pounds
R speed rating = 106 MPH

https://www.discounttire.com/learn/l...nge-load-index

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...g&gclsrc=aw.ds

Since the term "half ton" now covers an *enormous* range of vehicles, first step would be to make sure a 123 load rating is enough. Ideally you would like it to be a bit more than half the axle rating on the heaviest axle.

If you have some room, there are charts showing how the load rating goes down at lower pressures. First step is to see if you have room .....

(No, I don't think this will be a problem, but it is the first thing to check).

Bob

[uraljohn]

We tow with a 2013 Ford E150 XLT van. It is a Heavy Duty version E150 with an 8600 LB GVW rating. Eight lug wheels. Front axle rated 3700 LBS, rear axle rated 5120 LBS. Door sticker says to run fronts at 55 psi and rears at 80 psi when van is fully loaded. Van weighs 6000 LBS unloaded. I run 45 psi in the fronts and 50 psi in the rears when just driving around in general use. When fully loaded and hooked up to the AS all ready for travel I run 50 psi in the fronts and 65 psi in the backs. The current Defenders have 55k miles on them and I fully expect to get another 20K miles or maybe a bit more out of them. This has worked well for us. Van came equipped with Defenders from new. Rides decent when empty and actually rides better when hooked to AS. Hope this gives you some insight as to what psi you can run on your F150.

[waninae39]

i run 60-65 psi cold

when hot, the tires can go up to 85psi, still within specs
IMHO, 80 psi cold is far too high

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by waninae39;

i run 60-65 psi cold

when hot, the tires can go up to 85psi, still within specs
IMHO, 80 psi cold is far too high

E-load pressure charts for your tire size will tell you minimum pressure to run.

I run 55psi even with 4500lbs on the axles (34” tires) and even that is well above recommended pressure for the weight for my particular tire size….

[ROBERT CROSS]

Do NOT base TP on load alone, you are asking for trouble.
Load is only a base guide.

Bob
🇺🇸

[switz]

Note that larger load capacity tires do not increase the axle load capacity. The rule is that both tires on the axle (for two tire axles) must equal or exceed the axle rating. The 15" Goodyear Marathons were rated 2,540 pounds at 80 psi. The larger single axle Airstreams have a 5,000 pound axle rating thus really limiting how much stuff can go into the trailer with virtually no safety load margin (tire is nearly fully loaded all the time at GVW).

We use the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL Defender tire on our 23D that has a derated for trailer use load capacity of 2,044 pounds or 4,088 pounds together. The 25,26,27, and 28 foot Airstreams have a 3,800 pound axle rating. We upgraded our 23D to 3,800 pound axles in order to get 12" dual puck disc brakes and a welded onto the axle 3" lift plate. The street side rear tire load has the heaviest load at 1,376 pounds.

We run 44 psi in the Michelins on SenDel T03-56655SM wheels (rated 2,830 pounds) and Centramatic wheel balancers. This tire has a much larger foot print on pavement than the Goodyear ST tires which provides for better braking and a softer ride. We used the prior generation of the 15" Michelin tire on our 2013 25FB and had no poped rivets and had good results on wet pavement.

[demijac]

We pull a 27FB Classic. Our tire pressures are 52 front, 55 rear. When the Airstream Hilton is in storage, we reduce to the 'door sticker' recommended 45 all around. Our towing tire pressures were based on the initial recommendation of the guy who first sold us the tires: he had spent a lot of time towing professionally in a prior life. We've had no problems with his recommendation over the years. Tire wear has been great and we're probably safer vs. Load Grade D as well. Only downside is a slightly rougher ride when unhooked.

[davidrrand]

Thanks for all the comments and recs. Have not been able to find any inflation charts. The Michelin charts are for commercial and RV applications. Discount tire inflated both front and rear to 40 psi but this seems low to me. I have these same tires on my AS (except 16") and run them at 70 lbs. I am looking for recommendation on my truck alone, unloaded and that is usually carrying only myself and a tool box that adds less than 100 lbs. to the empty weight of the truck.

More info:

Here’s the specs on my 2015 Lariat SuperCab 5.0V8 4x4, 3.31, 6 spd trans, 145” wb:
GCWR 14, 300 LBS.
MAX TOW 9,100 LBS. “
FRONT GAWR 3,450 LBS.
REAR GAWR 3,800 LBS.
MAX PAYLOAD 2,031 LBS.
GVWR PACKAGE 7,050 LBS.
APPRX. CURB WT. 5,000 LBS.

Here’s 2016 FC rear twin Airstream
BASE WT. 5,822 LBS. (W/PROPANE, AWNING PACK., OPTIONAL WHEELS/TIRES, OVEN)
STD. BASE WT. 5.600 LBS. (W/PROPANE, W/O WATER/CARGO)
MAX WT. 7,300 LBS.
MAX PAYLOAD 1,478 LBS.
FRT & RR AXLES 3,800 LBS.
Published TW 835 LBS. (W/PROPANE, W/O WATER/CARGO, OPTIONS)
FW 39 GAL. X 8.34 = 325 LBS.
GW 35 GAL X 8.34 = 292 LBS.
BW 37 GAL X 8.34 = 309 LBS.

Estimated total weight loaded for multi-week trip. 7100 lbs.


I understand these tires do not add axle weight capacity. Hopefully they will add stability and durability when towing to the entire rig. I have had flats on the stock tires which was rare when running these tires on my prior 350.

Thanks again!

[davidrrand]

Here's my door stickers:

[davidrrand]

Sorry they're upside down

[fubar201]

I run Nitto Terra Grapplers 275-65-20 *XL*. 40 lbs all 'round for daily driving, 50 lbs in rear when towing. 55k miles on the tires so far.

Highly recommended

[gamakai]

I purchased a set Michliens LTX T/A2 for my 2019 f150 after running the same on my 2015 f150. I wanted the sidewall strength and stability. I treat them the same as I did the stock tires with the exception of tire pressure. 55 to 60 psi unloaded and 65 to 70 psi loaded. The main difference is a small decrease in mpg and they are taller than the stock tire which throws off the speedometer about 4 mph at 70 mph.

[lkm4321]

I have a Ram 1500 pulling 27FCFB. Switched to Michelin Defenders E Rated from stock tires , run 65lbs front and 70lbs rear with the AS. Deflate 10lbs with no load, works for me.

[CapriRacer]

Since the P type tire calls for 35 psi, the rule of thumb is that you get the same load carrying capacity in an LT at 15 psi more = 50 psi.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by demijac

We pull a 27FB Classic. Our tire pressures are 52 front, 55 rear. When the Airstream Hilton is in storage, we reduce to the 'door sticker' recommended 45 all around. Our towing tire pressures were based on the initial recommendation of the guy who first sold us the tires: he had spent a lot of time towing professionally in a prior life. We've had no problems with his recommendation over the years. Tire wear has been great and we're probably safer vs. Load Grade D as well. Only downside is a slightly rougher ride when unhooked.

I have 20” wheels on my Tundra and Cooper Discoverer E rated tires. They are working very well. I run similar pressures, and am seeing similar results. The heavier tire did decrease my mpg by about one mile per gallon.

[davidrrand]

[QUOTE=gamakai;2534546]I purchased a set Michliens LTX T/A2 for my 2019 f150 after running the same on my 2015 f150. I wanted the sidewall strength and stability. I treat them the same as I did the stock tires with the exception of tire pressure. 55 to 60 psi unloaded and 65 to 70 psi loaded. The main difference is a small decrease in mpg and they are taller than the stock tire which throws off the speedometer about 4 mph at 70 mph.[/QUOT

************

This matches my gut feeling on the subject and is close to what I ran on these same tires on my previous '99 F350. Think I will give this a try. Thanks to all who responded.

Dave

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by gamakai

I purchased a set Michliens LTX T/A2 for my 2019 f150 after running the same on my 2015 f150. I wanted the sidewall strength and stability. I treat them the same as I did the stock tires with the exception of tire pressure. 55 to 60 psi unloaded and 65 to 70 psi loaded. The main difference is a small decrease in mpg and they are taller than the stock tire which throws off the speedometer about 4 mph at 70 mph.

The PCM should be programable to compensate for tire diameter, ask your doctor.🤔
Bob
🇺🇸

[Rick n Mary]

Originally Posted by davidrrand

After going through two sets of stock Goodyear Wranglers on my F150 in around
60k miles, decided to try Michelin Defender LT275/65R18 123R E1BSW. Had great success with these on prior F350 diesel. Anyone doing this with their 1/2 ton and what pressure are you using unloaded and also pulling your AS?

Thanks!
Dave

Before I got rid of my F150, I had regular not even LT tires, saw an advert for free gravel….. shoveled 100-200 lbs in the back. With the recommended tire pressure, it looked like I had 2 flat tires. I would recommend at least LT tires, E rate may be a bit much, if that is what you wore out, then YES go with E rated!
I stepped up to an Ram 3500 dually.
E rated tires are standard and needed.
The only con of E rated tires is that it is a bit of a bumpier stiffer ride. Drop max pressure 10-20 lbs. will soften the ride, I recommend a air compressor (not the $1-2.98 a dozen kind) to keep in the truck to air up your tires for pulling the trailer. “Viair pumps are very good 12v….. a bit expensive but we’ll worth it“
I highly recommend them, I have BIG air horns on my truck and they keep up very well. (We are talking real railroad diesel locomotive horns, I built the system into the truck, including air hose connect for airing mine and anyone else’s tires). Rick