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Old 10-14-2021, 07:18 AM   #1
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Upgrade tires or shock, or both?

Hi,

I am looking to upgrade my trucks tires to HD LT types, but thought about upgrading the shocks as well. Which one will provide the most bang for the buck, especially where towing is concerned?

thank you
Brian
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Old 10-14-2021, 07:43 AM   #2
sourdough
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Everyone has their druthers on what they think is the best tire. I use the Michelin Defender LTX. I don't like the aggressive tread patterns for towing. Just get a well known name brand.

As far as aftermarket shocks there are quite a few and I've probably tried most of them. For towing I like Bilstein.
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Old 10-14-2021, 07:52 AM   #3
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If you currently have P rated tires on your truck that should definitely be the 1st upgrade to LTs.
On a new truck such as yours the shocks I doubt would make much of a noticeable difference at this time.
As for recommendations, Michelin & Bilstein, both are pricey, but some things you get what you pay for & I'm not one to cheap out when it comes to tires.
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Old 10-14-2021, 07:52 AM   #4
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Good morning,
I read a few other older posts on this subject, and it seems to come down to user preference and budget. My goal is to stiffen the ride when I am towing, as well as just having the bed loaded, w/out towing the camper.

Also, i don't want to give up the soft ride or have it be noisy, a request from DW.

thanks
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Old 10-14-2021, 08:28 AM   #5
sourdough
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Originally Posted by RV Camper View Post
Good morning,
I read a few other older posts on this subject, and it seems to come down to user preference and budget. My goal is to stiffen the ride when I am towing, as well as just having the bed loaded, w/out towing the camper.

Also, i don't want to give up the soft ride or have it be noisy, a request from DW.

thanks

Unfortunately towing and "soft rides" don't go together, in other words it's either a grocery getter or it tows properly.

LT tires, which are mandatory IMO for a 31' 7200lb. trailer, will stiffen the ride simply by their construction. You put them on to STOP the "cushy", "soft" ride of a 1/2 ton which is one of the reasons they aren't really made to tow an RV of any size. Same goes for shocks and probably air bags. I had to do all of the above to make my 1/2 ton "sort of" acceptable for towing.

I'm not sure if upgrading shocks will be noticeable or not. I could tell it on a 1/2 ton (Bilstein) but couldn't really on a 3/4. The 3/4 shocks are far stiffer than a 1/2 ton so I figure that was why. Both were almost new trucks.

You don't mention a weight distributing hitch/sway control but you need a good one with a 1/2 ton - 4 point sway control. Unfortunately the things you have to do to a 1/2 ton to make it an acceptable tow truck remove some of the car like ride features but that is a known trade off to be able to tow an RV. It has to be done to be safe and unfortunately can't be removed easily (or economically) the next time you just want to run to the grocery store.
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Old 10-14-2021, 09:25 AM   #6
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I'm also a fan of Michelin Defender LTX tires, not too noisy and way less squirm than the OEM tires.
I joined Costco just to buy these tires, their prices were that good. Other than tires I don't really need giant size anything and gas always has too long a line.

My truck came with Bilstein shocks as part of a package so I can't comment on them.
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Old 10-14-2021, 09:47 AM   #7
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I have an Equalizer 4 pt sway control system, with 1000 lb bars. My toungue wt fully loaded is 800 lbs
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Old 10-14-2021, 10:10 AM   #8
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You have a 2021 Ram 1500?... I presume from your signature. Yours didn't come with air suspension than?
I can tell you that on a 1/2 ton pickup air bags are a must for towing-period>IMO.
As well as LT tires preferably E rated or in most cases C come standard on most OEM tow packages and shocks only if yours are shot already?
You obviously need a WDH w/sway control. On a side note....last weekend I observed a newer F250 diesel pulling a 25'-28' TT ( trailer ) swerving. No WDH.....so OP didn't have his rig weight distribution setup correctly, tongue etc...

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Old 10-14-2021, 10:16 AM   #9
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Upgraded to Cooper Discoverer AT3 E-rated LT's and Bilstein 4600 shocks on the rear on my new at the time F150. It made a significant towing difference from the OEM shocks and P-rated Goodyear tires. I still ended up trading in for a Super Duty (I just had too much trailer to mask it with shocks and tires) but I was pleasantly surprised at the difference the stiffer tires and better shocks made. I also do not recall the ride quality of the truck being much different than pre-upgrade.

Although the Cooper AT3 had a somewhat aggressive looking tread design, it was extremely quiet. I found no significant gain in noise level.....neither did the wife!
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Old 10-14-2021, 10:40 AM   #10
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I recently put the Rancho RS9000 XL's on my F150. I went with them to try out the adjustable dampening. $95 each on rock auto at the moment. It took me about 45 minutes a side to change the shocks and brakes in the driveway.
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Old 10-14-2021, 10:44 AM   #11
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Check around and make sure the shocks are in stock…I ordered and paid for bilstein’s last October or November…company had a bilstein special offer going on at the time and sent me a flier….after I ordered and paid they sent me an update a few days later…3 months back order…I asked them why they had the flier if they didn’t have the stock…they said they printed fliers months before…gave me my money back …maybe supply’s caught up but I’d check first and pay with a credit card in case they don’t have them
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Old 10-14-2021, 03:02 PM   #12
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Not mentioned is that when towing you really want near or full psi rating of tire to handle to extra weight. Without the trailer you can air down the rear tires and the ride might be softer. For years my 2001 f350 was 80 psi when trailering and 55 psi without. Current f350 I keep the rears at 80 psi. The speed bumps are what is bad going over, but other wise the truck seems about the same ride
at the lower 65 or even 55 psi. So, I am leaving it. I think the cooper tires helped with that over the other bigger lugged off road tires on prior truck.
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Old 10-14-2021, 03:03 PM   #13
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I had the 5100 Bilstein shocks on my half ton with the air lift Load lifter 5000 ultimate air spring kit with 20" Continental tires. It towed the Bullet 26 rbpr nicely I felt the engine and tranny were not up to task.
I have the Michelin defenders also and they are a good tire, when I swap them out I am looking at Sailun Terra Max as they are cheaper and are well rated.
I liked the bilstein shocks loaded or unloaded it rode like a 1/2 ton should.
Rock auto is a great place to look for parts and prices are very competetive.
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Old 10-15-2021, 06:47 PM   #14
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My current tire size is 275/55/20, and would like to keep it. Not sure what the result would be if I went to a 60 series. So i am looking at Dueler A/T Revo 3, E rated tire, by Bridgestone.

Any thoughts?
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Old 10-16-2021, 07:27 AM   #15
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My current tire size is 275/55/20, and would like to keep it. Not sure what the result would be if I went to a 60 series. So i am looking at Dueler A/T Revo 3, E rated tire, by Bridgestone.

Any thoughts?
The "LT version" of that tire is a "true LT tire" with a 3085 pound max capacity @80PSI. It should be a marked improvement over a "P series" flexible sidewall tire with a max inflation pressure of 44PSI. While the tires alone may not solve all your towing issues, they will go a long way toward improving towing sway/tire flex during heavy towing...

CAUTION: That same "tire by name and size" is available in "P series" with a 2403 lbs @ 44 PSI rating. Weight of the P series tire is 40 pounds, the LT tire weight is 48 pounds. That should pretty much explain why the P series are not as sturdy.... https://tiresize.com/tires/Bridgesto...-275-55R20.htm

Don't get "caught by the "same size/same tire" concept... LT tires and P series tires are not the same construction and won't provide the same towing experience.... Avoid P series (44 and 51 PSI tires) for towing

Don't expect a "cushy ride when empty" and you may lose some MPG when the truck is empty. Otherwise, I don't see any negative issues with LT tires in your size range.
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Old 10-21-2021, 07:34 AM   #16
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I have a 2017 F-150 and I love my Nitto Terra Grappler G2's they're an XL tire, ride great and tow great. I also have airbags to help with the ride if I add weight into the bed while towing.
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Old 10-21-2021, 09:38 AM   #17
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I blew out a tire on a camping trip in September while in Monticello Utah. Luckily I was not towing at the time. Replaced all four OEM Goodyear P rated tires with BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, LT275/55/20 D rated. I would have preferred an E rated tire but under the circumstance I was happy to find an LT tire in my size within 60 miles. However, so far I am happy with this tire.
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Old 10-22-2021, 12:46 PM   #18
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Iv ran the bilsteins 5150’s for years and towed about every piece of construction equipment with them and I won’t buy anything else
For tires but the nitto brand after years of BFGs The nitto tetra what ever preforms well for street snd light off road
I prefer the mud grappler for both towing and daily driving with tire pressure adjustments

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I put less then 500 miles on these with my snow trailer and took them off. They are like riding on a rubber exercise ball if ya all me
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I’ll be keeping these typos for the winter since it’s what the truck came with and then new nitto in the spring
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Old 11-23-2021, 08:24 AM   #19
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Good morning,

I am also looking at these tires: TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T III All-Season
load range E.

When comparing it to the Dueler A/T Revo 3, E rated tire, I wonder if it does better in the snow?

I just want a really good tire, not much road whine and able to handle the load of the rig.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Brian
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Old 11-23-2021, 08:42 AM   #20
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Good morning,

I am also looking at these tires: TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T III All-Season
load range E.

When comparing it to the Dueler A/T Revo 3, E rated tire, I wonder if it does better in the snow?

I just want a really good tire, not much road whine and able to handle the load of the rig.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Brian
Is your truck up to the task of handling the rig? a 30" 7K trailer ios a lot to ask of a 1500 series truck.
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