Need new tires - Towing and comfort - opinions please

[ArkyRanger]

I know this has probably been discussed many times...so feel free to send me a link to other discussions if you know about them. My Ranger gets used for many trips between Arkansas and Colorado so ride quality is most important. The stock Hankook Dynapro ATM are quiet and smooth and perform well except when I tow my Travel Trailer. I have made several other mods - swag bar and new shocks but still seems like the back-end needs more stiffness. I am afraid to buy E rated tires because I don't want a truck that rides like a lumber wagon on those long trips. Anyone have this same issue?

Sponsored

 

[Cabose-1]

I am not being snarky or sarcastic here.
I have been doing more long range towing. Its a truck.
That it rides as good as it does, i am happy.

But it is a small truck. The only way I can see making the trip more comfortable is to get a heavier tow vehicle. F250?

2020 xlt 4x2

 

[Joeiconic]

You can get the Dynapro in a LT rated tire if you happy with them otherwise.

 

[D Fresh]

I did 1800 miles on my E rated tires in January. Did not ride like lumber wagon.

I wouldn't be too worried about an E rated tires.

Have you tried simy increasing rear tire pressure while towing?

Also ditch those 'kooks as soon as you can. They suck in the snow. And I-70 accross western Kansas is not somewhere you want to be stuck.

 

[Aonarch]

I'm a Michelin/ BFG fan.

A LT rated tire in a C load range would work great.

LTX AT2, LTX M/S etc

 

[ArkyRanger]

I do like Michelin’s - does anyone have experience towing with these tires?

 

[GregP]

No experience towing with Michelins - its kinda hard when I dont have the tow package ?‍

But +1 for going with Michelin Defender LTX M/S as replacements.

 

[Fritz]

I would try pumping the stock tires up to their max PSI, might be sufficient.
I’m currently running e load 235/85r16 at 40psi.
The truck rides better than my 2500 Chevy.

 

[awd.nv]

I am not sure these would be the tire for you since you did not mention off-road performance but the ATM are an AT tire as well so here goes.

BFG KO2, just did my first tow trip with them and gotta say, they felt great. I just don't know how much of it was from the "wider" tire or the actual tire model.

Went from the General Grabber ATx 265/70/17 that the Tremor comes with, logged 16k miles on them, gosh, at least 3k towing miles but maybe up to 5k miles from NV to AZ, CA and UT with out Geo Pro 19BH TT. They did good and all but I switched to the KO2 in 285/70/17 and I was immediately surprised how quiet they are. The Grabber weren't loud at all, a lot more quiet than the Ridge Grapplers our other vehicle has but I describe normal driving as smooth, quiet, just NICE driving (40PSI).

Towing, they felt a little more solid despite being taller. I was quite surprised and happy to see these results.

Besides being a Tremor (fox shocks, multi-leaf spring, etc) I also have 1" wheel spacers and 1" level kit. Otherwise, all stock. I did notice originally when I did the 1" wheel spacers it made the Ranger feel a lot more controlled with crosswinds and when big rigs blow past me at 80-85mph in Utah. I tend to stick to 70mph max unless I am passing or something. I also use a WDH which works great.

 

[Frenchy]

I did towing with all sorts of tires including(but not limited too) Michelin, Bridgestone, Firestone and Hankook(Dynapro ATM if your curious). Overall all did just fine. If you are not taking the truck OffRoad what so ever I would suggest something like the Firestone Destination LE3 or the Michelin LXT.

If you want you can even go up to 265/70-17(or 265/65-18 if you have 18 inch wheels) if you have not messed with the suspension. Thankfully the Ranger has that option. Just a little bit bigger tire can make a little difference.

I will also add that I had load range E tires on my Ranger and didnt have much issue with ride quality at all. It was the Firestone Destination XT in 285/70-17 if you are curious. I even have it in 245/75-16 also a load range E. I dont have any issues with it either, but if you dont go OffRoad then the tire would be a bit overkill for you

 

[ArkyRanger]

How about the Michelin Defender LTX - it is suppose to have an E load rating and reviews are very good.

 

[ArkyRanger]

Just to follow up. I do a limited amount of offroad with this truck. Would the Firestone Destination be better???

 

[Frenchy]

Just to follow up. I do a limited amount of offroad with this truck. Would the Firestone Destination be better???

I won't argue that the Michelin Defender LTX is a good tire. How would it compare to the Firestone Destination line? I would suspect it would be comparable to the LE3. Both are street tires that have no problem with going on a dirt road as needed. Best to not go OffRoad with either since they are both street tires.

The Firestone Destination AT2 is a light duty all terrain that can get you off the beaten path a fair amount without sacrificing on road capabilities.

The Firestone Destination XT is a heavy duty all terrain tire that is my favorite. When I still had.my Ranger I had no problems going quite a few places OffRoad. Mind you the places I went with it I suspect you wont touch. So this is probably not the tire for you


Hope that helps

 

[briwill70]

I absolutely did not like the Hankooks from day one and replaced them after one month of driving the truck. I did a lot of research and ended up going with the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W Tires. Improved the ride and handling considerably. Great in snow/rain and towing. No complaints.

Sponsored