Community Forums

dixonge · 11-12-2010, 09:06 AM

So once we park somewhere quiet, we'd like to do some day-trips to places a normal vehicle can't reach. For example, hiking trail-heads in Big Bend which can only be accessed by 4x4 roads. We don't care about mudding and extreme situations, just want to be able to get to most places that are in any given area.

Of course off-road tires might not be ideal for towing a trailer. So we'll probably go for some sort of mixed tread.

Does anyone else use some sort of off-road tire on their tow vehicle? Any size/brand recommendations?

dsbike · 11-12-2010, 01:09 PM

What vehicle do you tow? I have a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser with the stock BFG tires with M/S tires. Not to aggresive but they have taken me off road through some pretty tough trails. I don't tow my FJC though. I am afraid the 4500 lb would push me over limit for my MH and also would require about $2500 in tow equipment.

RustyJC · 11-12-2010, 02:09 PM

From your post, it looks like you have a truck pulling a 5th wheel or TT. Correct? If so, is the truck a SRW or DRW? What size tire and what load rating do you need?

Rusty

dixonge · 11-12-2010, 03:54 PM

Rusty,

Sorry, yes - Ford F350 crew cab longbed 4X4 SRW is the tow vehicle. Supposedly the dry weight is pushing 7600-8000 lbs and the GVWR is 9200. Add people, cargo and pin weight and it starts pushing the limits.

Don't have a trailer yet, but will be looking at 5ers with a sub-10k GVWR.

The truck seems to have come stock with 235/85/R16 but currently has 285/75/R16 on it. (Nitto Terra Grappler all-terrain). The stock tires were supposedly rated E, the Nitto are rated D. I was hoping to do all of the following (if possible) by switching back to a smaller tire:

1 - Maintain some off-road tread
2 - Increase weight rating of tires
3 - Reduce the bed rail height an inch or two

better mileage, smoother highway riding and/or mileage - anything like that would be considered a bonus

RustyJC · 11-12-2010, 05:16 PM

Here's a top-of-the-line tire that's available in a LT235/85R-16 load range E configuration. Unlike the average fabric-and-steel LT tire, the Michelin XPS Traction is a commercial grade all steel construction tire. I had their first cousins, the XPS Rib highway tire, on my 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW truck. The XPS is a favorite for hot-shotters and others who need durability, excellent longevity, etc. It's not the cheapest LT tire, but to me it's worth the premium I paid for them.

JM2CW...

Rusty