What can I do to get a smoother ride when towing? - Page 2 - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

Tankerhank · #16 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 07:02 PM

Those P rated tires for sure are not your friend when towing, I lived through that mistake long ago. You don't need to get extreme and go to E rated like many of us have, there are C and D rated out there too, just depends on the brand of tire.

campertom · #17 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankerhank

Those P rated tires for sure are not your friend when towing, I lived through that mistake long ago. You don't need to get extreme and go to E rated like many of us have, there are C and D rated out there too, just depends on the brand of tire.

I'm looking at Michelin LTX/AT2 275/65 R18. I was thinking E load range, but...

So, tell me this - I understand why you might not want to go extreme (feel every bump, noisy). But, if C or D are good enough, why do many here still go with E?

Tankerhank · #18 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campertom

I'm looking at Michelin LTX/AT2 275/65 R18. I was thinking E load range, but...

So, tell me this - I understand why you might not want to go extreme (feel every bump, noisy). But, if C or D are good enough, why do many here still go with E?

Those are the tires I have on my Tundra, you do not feel every bump and they are not noisy by any means, I keep them at 45 psi (Discount looks up the minimum pressure for those tires on the Tundra and that is what they said) when not towing and pump them up to 55-60 when towing. Aside from more stable towing I like the heavier tire because of where we travel, the stouter tire handles rocks and such much better. I think you will be very pleased with the Michelins should you go with them.

Some brands do not offer C or D in 18" tires.

TundraBay · #19 (**permalink**) 07-14-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campertom

I'm not even sure the air lifts were a good idea. The back end of the truck is far from being bottomed out. But, payload is a concern and limits there make it difficult to push the tongue weight higher on this (otherwise very capable) payload handicapped truck.

You have done a lot to increase effective payload when you've simply put on better tires and air bags.

It isn't a 1 ton or even a 3/4 ton payload-wise, but it definitely becomes more than a half ton.

What am I saying? With better tires and bags you CAN haul one ton, but the current one ton trucks are rated to maybe 3,000 or more lbs and you would probably not want to haul that regularly even with E-rated tires and air bags

cwit · #20 (**permalink**) 07-15-2009, 06:37 PM

I think the reason we went with E tires is because when I bought mine I could not find D rated.

campertom · #21 (**permalink**) 07-17-2009, 05:43 PM

Just ordered a set of Michelin LTX/AT2 275/65 R18, Load range E. They didn't offer this size in a D range. Will post results of tires once I have a chance to test the ride...

Tankerhank · #22 (**permalink**) 07-17-2009, 06:21 PM

Yup, that is what many have found, in the 18" tire E rated is it most of the time.

Buck62 · #23 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campertom

What can I do to get a smoother ride when towing?

If the wife is being a pain in the butt, I make her ride in the trailer.

The ride is much smoother after that, trust me on this.

not right · #24 (**permalink**) 07-26-2009, 05:10 PM

If your equalizer is a 2 point you may want to look into one with 4 point control.
It sounds like you are suffering from "vertical sway".
At 34' and 1k on the tongue you are smart to at least be thinking about a 3/4 ton truck (i am not affiliated in any way with the weight poilce)

campertom · #25 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art64

Rancho 9000XL adjustables have excellent rebound control. I have Firestone airbags and when the truck is not loaded, it gets a lot of kick-ups on dips and bumps. Tried Bilstein HD's but not enough rebound damping. Rides smooth, until you hit a dip, then the rear is airborne!

Just getting back to this project - too busy camping! So, I'm told by the truck shop that you can only do a Ranch adjustable shock in the rear on an 07 Tundra, as the front has struts. Is it worth doing something with the struts too and, if so, what are good good choices for heavy duty (ideally adjustable) struts in the front?

nomadic · #26 (**permalink**) 08-17-2009, 12:38 PM

"It has occurred to me that my P rated tires (stock tires) could be part of the bounce problem."

i have a tool trailer that is in the 10'000 pound range, went with E rated tires and air bags. the tires that the tundra comes with are crap crap crap, and even more crap. went with toyo Open Country H/T LT275/70R18 125S E/10 and everything is better. even if i never used this truck as a truck i would trash those stock tires and get something good. the side walls on he stock tires are just way way to soft and the treads have no grip at all... #$@$#@$ stuck in $##@$@ snow #$#@$@#$.... my only regret is waiting 30,000 mile to install the toyo's

Tankerhank · #27 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 08:03 PM

I do agree good tires for sure make a difference, I went with Michelins "E" rated and liked them so well I converted the rims on my 5th wheel so I could put a set on there too. Tires truly do make a difference.

campertom · #28 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 08:10 AM

I replaced my tires a couple of weeks ago (Michelin LTX/AT2 275/65 R18, Load range E, as indicated previously) and saw no difference in ride comfort - either with or without the trailer. The bounce problem was as bad as before. Then I remembered from somewhere that the LT tires only helped, if they were inflated to full pressure. I checked, and mine were only inflated to 35lbs by the tire shop. Meanwhile, I replaced the rear shocks a couple of days ago with a set of Rancho 9000XLs. I would have had the shop replace the front struts too, but wasn't sure at the time which struts I should go with. I'm still trying to figure out the options for the front.

If the weather cooperates, I will take the trailer out for a few test rides this weekend. I want to try each change separately. First, I will try with the new shocks on the min setting and the tires at 35lbs. Next, I will inflate the tires to max pressure. Finally, I will set the Ranchos to their max setting. I plan to try a hitch change too - dropping the ball height (the front of the trailer seems a bit nose-up to me).

Tankerhank · #29 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 10:30 AM

35 psi is under the minimum tire pressure recommend for those Michelins, I believe 45 is the the lowest they should be inflated to, at least that is what the guy at Discount said when he looked them up. Max pressure is WAY beyond what you need.

I keep my Michelins at 45 psi when not towing and run them up to 60 psi when towing.

campertom · #30 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankerhank

35 psi is under the minimum tire pressure recommend for those Michelins, I believe 45 is the the lowest they should be inflated to, at least that is what the guy at Discount said when he looked them up. Max pressure is WAY beyond what you need.

I keep my Michelins at 45 psi when not towing and run them up to 60 psi when towing.

Wow - I assumed that 55-60 would be in the max range. I was going to check before I added, but I am amazed that truck tires could have a pressure that was WAY beyond 60.