Best wheel/tire combo for towing

[superdave74]

I have a 2013 LC200 and a 6500 lbs airstream. I know, wheel base is an issue. The question I have though is I'm currently running the stock 18" rims with 70 series Goodyear Duratracs. They're great off road, but I've noticed when there's a lot of weight in the back that the rear end will lean more then I'd like during Hwy maneuvers. I'd have to imagine a lower profile tire would do better while towing as well.

So I'm thinking about a set of 20" tundra rims and perhaps a 60 series tire to tighten it up a bit, any thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[cmck]

I have a 2013 LC200 and a 6500 lbs airstream. I know, wheel base is an issue. The question I have though is I'm currently running the stock 18" rims with 70 series Goodyear Duratracs. They're great off road, but I've noticed when there's a lot of weight in the back that the rear end will lean more then I'd like during Hwy maneuvers. I'd have to imagine a lower profile tire would do better while towing as well.

So I'm thinking about a set of 20" tundra rims and perhaps a 60 series tire to tighten it up a bit, any thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave

100 series guy here, but, I have 18’s and Duratrac’s E rated, so heres a thought. I would test more air in the tires in maybe 4 lbs increments. If you can’t feel any difference at plus say 16lbs, I doubt a shorter sidewall is going to do a lot.

I have heavy rated springs and my trailer 3500lbs does not influence my body roll imo. The 100 and the 200 have the same wheel base and your about 1” wider in track width.

I would look at suspension as a next place to remove the action from the trailer truck combo.

Of course there are lots of guys/gals towing similar weight with the 200 that will hop in here and steer you the right way.

 

[EastPlnsDrifter]

I have a 2013 LC200 and a 6500 lbs airstream. I know, wheel base is an issue. The question I have though is I'm currently running the stock 18" rims with 70 series Goodyear Duratracs. They're great off road, but I've noticed when there's a lot of weight in the back that the rear end will lean more then I'd like during Hwy maneuvers. I'd have to imagine a lower profile tire would do better while towing as well.

So I'm thinking about a set of 20" tundra rims and perhaps a 60 series tire to tighten it up a bit, any thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave

I’ve run a 285/70 Duratracs on the 17” RWs and the stock Dunlop’s on the stock 18s. Other than changing my height I didn’t feel much towing impact and neither did my wife. When towing light with our 2400lb Featherlite livestock trailer we noticed no real difference. When towing the 3 horses and their stuff cross country to Colorado we noticed the squat and all that came with it but that had nothing to do with the stock wheels and tires. That was also pulling about 7000 lbs on OEM suspension with less than ideal loading (lightest horse in back). On most of the towing threads I’ve read here it seems rear springs and airbags are where you feel a difference. I wouldn’t expect ~34” e-rated duratracs to be giving you issues towing aside from maybe the weight and possibly air pressure. I’d check my pressure considering the weight I’m carrying and add as necessary. If that isn’t working for you, a weight distributing hitch, suspension changes, or air bags are worth considering. I’d look here for some inspiration: Do you tow an Airstream?

 

[TeCKis300]

I have a 2013 LC200 and a 6500 lbs airstream. I know, wheel base is an issue. The question I have though is I'm currently running the stock 18" rims with 70 series Goodyear Duratracs. They're great off road, but I've noticed when there's a lot of weight in the back that the rear end will lean more then I'd like during Hwy maneuvers. I'd have to imagine a lower profile tire would do better while towing as well.

So I'm thinking about a set of 20" tundra rims and perhaps a 60 series tire to tighten it up a bit, any thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave

Sounds to me like a 25’ Airstream? Running a LT275/70r18 load range E tire with overall diameter ~33.1”?

As your Duratrac’s are already load range E, with enough tire pressure, there shouldn’t be much deflection. How much PSI are you running?

To your question, an optimal towing tire is one that leaves gearing stock (no taller than original overall diameter), with stiff enough sidewall to control or mitigate sway. This can be accomplished with larger wheels, and/or stiffer tires. An 18” wheel, with a stiff LR E tire, with enough pressure, should be reasonably stable. The LC gearing should handle that tire well too, as I tow a 27FB with a 33.2” tire.

For a LC, most of the deflection will be coming from the stock suspension. Stiffer load bearing suspension is preferred for optimal tow handling. The stock LC suspension is more oriented to articulation than say a F250 with a stiff load bearing suspension. But we also value off road performance right?

What does your hitch setup look like? What are you using? Is the Airstream completely level when hitched up?

I suspect you could use a bit more WD tension applied which should stabilize the rig, even with soft OE suspension. Airbags can help too by increasing rear spring rate to better control the tongue weight. WD should be the primary adjustment to level the rig, as that ensures enough weight being translated to the front axle to plant the rig.

 

[superdave74]

Sounds to me like a 25’ Airstream? Running a LT275/70r18 load range E tire with overall diameter ~33.1”?

As your Duratrac’s are already load range E, with enough tire pressure, there shouldn’t be much deflection. How much PSI are you running?

To your question, an optimal towing tire is one that leaves gearing stock (no taller than original overall diameter), with stiff enough sidewall to control or mitigate sway. This can be accomplished with larger wheels, and/or stiffer tires. An 18” wheel, with a stiff LR E tire, with enough pressure, should be reasonably stable. The LC gearing should handle that tire well too, as I tow a 27FB with a 33.2” tire.

For a LC, most of the deflection will be coming from the stock suspension. Stiffer load bearing suspension is preferred for optimal tow handling. The stock LC suspension is more oriented to articulation than say a F250 with a stiff load bearing suspension. But we also value off road performance right?

What does your hitch setup look like? What are you using? Is the Airstream completely level when hitched up?

I suspect you could use a bit more WD tension applied which should stabilize the rig, even with soft OE suspension. Airbags can help too by increasing rear spring rate to better control the tongue weight. WD should be the primary adjustment to level the rig, as that ensures enough weight being translated to the front axle to plant the rig.

Thanks for the feedback. It's a 31' Sovereign and I'm running the tires at 41 psi currently. I believe max pressure is 80 or 85. I haven't towed it yet. It's currently torn down to the frame but should have it tip top by spring. My current hitch setup is stock LC gear. I'd heard recommendations for airbags and a weight distributing hitch.

What PSI are you running and what hitch? Also, how's the clearance on the 305/55/20s?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[TeCKis300]

I'm running a different tire size at 305/55/20 so my pressures would be different. Target pressures for OEM load handling is 36 psi. Under tow, I increase it to ~44 rear, ~42 fronts. So about 6-8 psi more for towing. Clearance is perfectly fine with some minor tweaks and 1" wheel spacers.

Hitch wise, I run an Equalizer with 1000lb bars. Nothing exotic. It works incredibly well and is easy to setup and use.

Those older airstreams are pretty awesome, and I think you'll find that it will tow great. Yes, it's long, but hey are built lighter and have a narrower body for even better mpg efficiency. It's an advantage in tow handing and stability. The tongue weights were lighter back then too. I say get a solid weight distribution hitch, dial in the WD tension, and give it a whirl.