Load Range E tires with tow? 14k lbs

[teameyecatcher]

Soo, after stupidly buying 295/70-17 tires that I did not realize were not load range e last August, its coming time to tow a 14k boat/trailer combo. What are the detriments to doing so? I will only make round trips of 500 miles or so MAYBE 3 or 4 times per year. I hope that I can deal with what I have, but please enlighten me

[straycat]

I can't remember the load per tire weights of the D tire, but it should be marked on the tire itself. If you keep the tire at max pressure, and stop once in awhile to let them cool you should be fine. I don't condone it myself, but It's up to you, and have a safe uneventful trip man hahaha.

Gord.

[teameyecatcher]

Originally Posted by straycat

I can't remember the load per tire weights of the D tire, but it should be marked on the tire itself. If you keep the tire at max pressure, and stop once in awhile to let them cool you should be fine. I don't condone it myself, but It's up to you, and have a safe uneventful trip man hahaha.

Gord.

Yikes well thats scary. They wont tear apart on me will they?
I may borrow a friend's 350 to do the tow until I invest in new tires. These have about 10k miles on them and I'm looking to get rid of 'em

[straycat]

Like I said, I don't think it's a good idea, but I don't think they will come apart either, if you keep the pressure up on them, they wont over heat, and thats what kills tires. If you stop and let them cool for a bit every 100 miles or so you '' probably wont have any problems'' but I put safety first, especially if my family is involved hahaha.

Gord.

[teameyecatcher]

I know that towing with this load range tire is risky, so I would never put any part of my family at risk. In fact I would be the only person in the truck but with a spotter in another car.
What amount of time should I let the tires rest if I do go ahead with this setup? I would need to pull over frequently for fuel anyway with such a heavy load.
Ugh of course I didnt even think about this when I bought the new tires, I guess it just comes back to haunt me anyway

[teameyecatcher]

And yes, any help is greatly appreciated. I am new to the SD towing issue, coming from a Tahoe where I towed a maximum of 6000 lbs between a 22' Blazer Bay and a 21' Contender. I have made mistakes with these tires, and now I'm definitely paying for it. There is only about 2-3 weeks for me to decide on what to do, so I'm relying on you more experienced people. Much thanks to the forum

[straycat]

Are you towing a 5th wheel, or a pull along trailer. The problem with the D rating is less sidewall support, therefore more squirm of the side walls, therefore more heat build up. When it gets excessive, the sidewalls weaken to the point where they let go. Please remember , this is an extreme scenario, and the chances are good that you will not have a problem, but its a could happen thing. I would stop every 100 miles or so for about half an hour, and keep it around 60 mph max while towing, and take it easier on the turns.

Gord.

[Heat]

Think of it this way, tires are relatively cheap, boats, trucks and people are not... Put the new tires on....

Ken....

[sevenmalards]

I have Michelin LTX/MS on my '99 dually and they have about 20k on them, they are all E rated. I bought them (6) at the same time and have blown BOTH inside duals. The left first, then the right. The right came apart on the freeway and did 3K in damage to the truck. All I had in it was my Yahama Quad comming back from duck hunting. I'm a concrete contractor and occassionally haul a dump trailer full of broken concrete. That's it. Both tires let go with no heavy load on. It's just hard to tell. I know I was plenty hot after the second tire went, with what they all cost new, and the damage to the rig. I had some cheap "phantom" brand on before, put 60K on them without even a rotation. Upgrade to a name brand and WHAMMIE! Already two blow outs!

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Last edited by sevenmalards : 03-20-2007 at 09:08 AM.

[TXbroker]

Man with an F250 you have A LOT OF WEIGHT on those back 2 tires. Someone else said it but D's wont cut it and your life is worth more than the tires.
I've heard rumors of a load range F & G but cant find them in an 18 only 20's.

Think of it this way, 8K truck, 14K trailer. Load range D's I believe at max pressure support 2200lbs each, they are almost underated for your truck as is. With that truck trailer combo you will have roughly 5500lbs per axle if you have(hopefully you have a double axle dually trailer with 7500lbs axles and E rated tires on all 8 rims?) 4 axles between truck trailer?

Sorry for the book man but buy the tires. A flat going down the road on a SRW truck hauling any load is dangerous as hell.