Tow Vehicle Tire Recommendations

[Edgemoore]

Hi
I have a 2020 F150 , 3.5 Liter tow vehicle. I am a newbie and planning to receive a 25’ AS tradewind soon. I received sound advice from many on my current vehicle and will probably upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck at some point. In the meantime, the vehicle needs new tires and possibly brakes. I would appreciate advice on what tires to consider and if “heavy duty” brakes should be added at the same time.
Thanks in advance

[NutmegsCamper]

Last summer I upgraded the tires and brakes on my 2021 F-150 and I couldn’t be happier. I went with a tire that had a slightly firmer sidewall and run the pressure at 40 while towing. That make a world of difference feeling planted while towing.

MICHELIN
DEFENDER LTX M/S2

As for brakes, I updated the pads and rotors to a more aggressive material. Also, they do very well.
Power Stop Front and Rear... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMJBLJH5...p_mob_ap_share

The brakes are a pretty simple task - about 15 minutes per wheel if you have sockets, a breaker bar, and a torque wrench. You’ll just need to follow the procedures to put the brakes in maintenance mode prior to doing the rear brakes and then remove from maintenance mode when finished.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Brakes...these front & rear on the '06 2500 Burb.

No fade and no warm-up needed


The BEST in 60+ years of buckle nusting.

Bob
🇺🇸

[jeffmc306]

Edgemoore, take a look at TireRack and enter your F150’s wheel size. From there you can select different load ranges. They’ll show you top rated tires in each category.

They can ship the tires (no charge) to recommend installers in your area and include road hazard coverage for free. Or, if you prefer Discount Tire purchased TireRack and you can get the same deal from them.

Good luck!

[Edgemoore]

Thank you!

[JJTX]

Originally Posted by Edgemoore

Hi
I have a 2020 F150 , 3.5 Liter tow vehicle. I am a newbie and planning to receive a 25’ AS tradewind soon. I received sound advice from many on my current vehicle and will probably upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck at some point. In the meantime, the vehicle needs new tires and possibly brakes. I would appreciate advice on what tires to consider and if “heavy duty” brakes should be added at the same time.
Thanks in advance

Whatever comes on that truck as an OEM tire, is fine. It's designed for the weight rating of that truck. I will be replacing mine this summer as well, and it will get OEM tires again, as I have had no issues what-so-ever with them. I forget the brand at the moment but they are TRAIL GUIDE HLT. Stay away from OFF ROAD tires. They will be noisy and vibrate. Get a good OEM quality road tire.

Brakes is another animal. I have drilled and slotted front/rear rotors and brake pad combo. I did this myself. Its labor intensive, but you can do it yourself with the right tools and proper prep and a big hammer.

I got my brake/rotor package on the ZON several years ago and was marketed as a towing upgrade vs the smooth OEM. I notice NO fade and have been pretty happy so far.

The brand is Power Stop K6268-36 Z36 Truck and Tow Front and Rear Brake Kit. It's over 600$ now, which surprises me NOT. I think I paid $400 in 2020. Very happy with the power stop brand and going on 5 years, no hiccups. ( Don't just do the front ! )

It seems like we have same T/V but make sure its right kit whatever one you get if you go online for it.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Depending on what package(s) your truck came with, it could have a variety of different tires. It also likely has suspension components that match up with those tires. Off road tires get this .... highway tires might well get that. If you need to switch to highway tires (and I agree that's a good idea) at least take a look at the shocks.

Fun

Bob

[Edgemoore]

What are the benefits of a 20” tire over an 18” tire?

Does it enhance safety?
Needed to add better brakes?
Improve MPG?

Other factors?
Thanks in advance!

[Aluminium Falcon]

Like on many other topics, a proper recommendation depends on the type of camping you have in mind. I note that you purchased a Tradewind, which comes with a lift kit and off-road tires. It suggests to me you intend to go off the beaten path. If you have off-roading in mind, I can tell you that my Goodyear Duratracs (10 ply) on 20 inch wheels and Bilstein 5100 shocks perform well for that use. If you will stick to paved roadways, the Michelin Defender LTX MS is a very safe bet.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Edgemoore

Hi
I have a 2020 F150 , 3.5 Liter tow vehicle. I am a newbie and planning to receive a 25’ AS tradewind soon. I received sound advice from many on my current vehicle and will probably upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck at some point. In the meantime, the vehicle needs new tires and possibly brakes. I would appreciate advice on what tires to consider and if “heavy duty” brakes should be added at the same time.
Thanks in advance

Important question; what is the Max payload on your 150 door sticker? Make sure it can handle the tongue weight on your Airstream along with combined weight of your passengers and bed load. My new Platinum F150 4x4 was below 1200lbs!

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Edgemoore

What are the benefits of a 20” tire over an 18” tire?

Does it enhance safety?
Needed to add better brakes?
Improve MPG?

Other factors?
Thanks in advance!

20" tires cost more and look trendier.

For the same outside diameter, they'll have a rougher ride than an equivalent 18" (due to the shorter sidewall)

[jcl]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

20" tires cost more and look trendier.

For the same outside diameter, they'll have a rougher ride than an equivalent 18" (due to the shorter sidewall)

Agreed. But, they also have less sidewall flex and can thus be better for towing (assuming sufficient load capacity).

[jcl]

Originally Posted by JJTX

Whatever comes on that truck as an OEM tire, is fine. It's designed for the weight rating of that truck.

In terms of load capacity, agree. But the OEM tire supplier was the lowest bidder. There are often higher quality tires available than what the factory installed. An exception to this can be if the OEM tire supplier developed a specific tire for that model vehicle, and if that was the case, it will be indicated on the sidewall. The Michelin tires on our BMW SUV were BMW specific, with different tread and rubber compound, tuned to the suspension of that model.

[davidrrand]

I have a 2015 F150 Lariat SuperCab 5.0 V8,
2031 lbs payload that results mostly from the extended cab vs crew cab with longer bed.

2016 FC 25 twin rear bed with factory installed 16” Michelin E rated Defenders. Your Tradewind will be a few hundred pounds heavier.

Truck came with Goodyear D rated tires, inflated to max 51 psi towing the AS. After the second set of Goodyears at 61,000 miles, I switched to Michelin E rated
Defenders like the AS except 18” and on same stock aluminum wheels. The handling and stability are greatly enhanced with the tires that I run 60psi frt and 75 rear.

I am now at 108,000 miles and still have decent tread but they made need to be replaced this year if I make another cross country trip. I have made five trips from GA to the far reaches of the Rockies since 2016, each averaging over 6000 miles each,
2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024. Upgraded to the Michelins before the ‘22 trip.

Total miles towed with AS is around 36000 miles. On the cross country trips the AS is at max weight of 7300 lbs and the 6.5’ bed has tools, two Honda gens, Webber propane
grill, camp table, pancake air compressor, and fishing gear. Guitar and 45 yeti cooler
In the backseat, me and my wife in the front. So far so good. Your Ecoboost will be definitely stronger at elevation on mountain passes but we have averaged on the cross country trips right at 13 mpg. About 10-15% of the total trip miles are unhitched exploring the country so hitched mileage is probably 10-11 mpg. So far so good and I recommend trying your F150 with e rated tires, travel a bit lighter than we do before you go to a 250 or 350. If you intend to full time, you will definitely need a bigger truck
for the payload. If you do, consider the larger gas V8s vs diesel. Diesel performance is superior but added upfront cost, fuel cost and maintenance is substantial. Previous truck towing boat was a F350 7.3 diesel before DEF and all the emission add ons that will bite you beyond the warranty and have reduced reliability in my opinion.

Enjoy your trailer! It should be awesome.

Dave

[davidrrand]

Oh yea, at a bit over 100k before our last trip to the Rockies, we replaced the original brakes with dealer stock brakes, new everything including rotors and flush. I am easy on the brakes as I live in the NE GA Mtns and use my transmission extensively for braking on trips and day to day. Also had all fluids replaced including 4x4 and trans, coolant and new water pump and hoses and belts. Over $3k but not bad considering the years and miles.

[davidz71]

An LT tire in the size that came on your truck but make sure it is E rated for stiffer sidewall and higher payload capacity.

[Edgemoore]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the great insight!

[Edgemoore]

Originally Posted by Aluminium Falcon

Like on many other topics, a proper recommendation depends on the type of camping you have in mind. I note that you purchased a Tradewind, which comes with a lift kit and off-road tires. It suggests to me you intend to go off the beaten path. If you have off-roading in mind, I can tell you that my Goodyear Duratracs (10 ply) on 20 inch wheels and Bilstein 5100 shocks perform well for that use. If you will stick to paved roadways, the Michelin Defender LTX MS is a very safe bet.

I doubt the roads will be any worse than logging roads. How’s the freeway ride/noise ?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Edgemoore

I doubt the roads will be any worse than logging roads. How’s the freeway ride/noise ?

I have run the Michelins for years on all roads with all my trucks and also on our daily driver GLE350...big reason besides great tire, is no road noise compared to other brands.

[Aluminium Falcon]

Originally Posted by Edgemoore

I doubt the roads will be any worse than logging roads. How’s the freeway ride/noise ?

I do not find them that loud at highway speed, but certainly more so than a highway tire. The Duratrac’s biggest down side is that they throw a lot of rocks when travelling on gravel roads. Rock Tamers are definitely a must with Duratracs.