Towing with 35" and 37" tires

[endcl]

Hi Everyone, I tow a 4500lb travel trailer with my LX450 a few times a year currently with stock gears and 33" tires.

In a few years time I hope to be able to buy a dedicated tow rig and retire the LX450 for full time offroad and expedition duties but for now I need it to do both.

Its about time for new tires and I will go for 315s or 37 and regear to 4.88 or 5.29. Ultimately I would love to do the 37s for the offroad ability but I am concerned that it won't be safe to two with and may struggle to pull the weight. I would go the low lift route, I presently have Js and might add a 1"-2" body lift and/or 1" spacers to clear the 37s and I'm pretty sure I have enough room for 315s as is.

So does anyone have any experience towing a similar trailer longer distances with 35s or 37s? Am I asking for trouble taking the family along with that kind of setup and should I just stick with a 33-34 and keep the center of gravity down and regear to 4.88 anyway for the extra pulling power?

Any thoughts appreciated

 

[ajax1]

I'd stick with keeping it low and re gearing, u can prob run 315 s with what ya got now, save the 37 s for when you don't have to tow, I wouldn't tow anything with my truck on 37s and I run 529s it sucks enough with just wind and mountains

 

[murf]

315 's and 4.88's and keep it as low as you can.

...Or just wait till you get the dedicated tow vehicle (you can pick up an older Dodge diesel for decent $$) and go for the big lift and tires at that point.

 

[Duiser Offroad]

There are a couple issues at play here, your tires are not necessarily the problem. Additional lift and the suspension design of the 80 are. What makes the 80 a great trail rig make it undesirable to tow with.

Get your 35's. Keep your current suspension height and tow.

 

[endcl]

Thank you very much for the replies everyone. You have confirmed what my head was telling me but didn't want to admit.

Good point on the older dodge cummins, I've always been a fan, I just wonder what the back seat is like since they just have the extended cab. If its good enough for kids it could be perfect and as you say they're getting old enough to buy for cheap these days.

Really appreciate the advice!

 

[inkpot]

Thank you very much for the replies everyone. You have confirmed what my head was telling me but didn't want to admit.

Good point on the older dodge cummins, I've always been a fan, I just wonder what the back seat is like since they just have the extended cab. If its good enough for kids it could be perfect and as you say they're getting old enough to buy for cheap these days.

Really appreciate the advice!

I think 1997 was the loast year for the extra cab on the 3/4 ton dodge. My son has one. He has warmed up the old 12 valve 6bt, and it can tow very well. John

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

35's and ome medium springs and no regear tow my 3,000 lb trailer just fine. Just saying.

 

[canman]

I tow my boat (3500 lbs) short distances over hilly terrain with "no" problems (lots of down shifting and extended periods in 3rd at 2800-3000 rpm) with stk gearing and Toyo 315s. I have 2.5" lift plus 1" body lift. I can even pass slower folks going up hill and maintain 50-55 mph. It's not an ideal set-up and would regear if planning long overland camping trips myself.