RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
????????? My Ford Superduty CC SB is nearly 700 lbs. heavier @ 7880 lbs than the EX. The long beds are even heavier. I am not sure how you came up with that conclusion.
Sorry about the miss quote. I do realize that the Ex isn't the heaviest vehicle out there, but I think the key is that it is heaver in the rear.
As far as air pressure its hard to understand how that light of vehicle can ride good or better as you say with 70+ psi. You are slightly heavier than the superduty in the rear and lighter in the front. IF I run 70-80 when empty I can't begin to tell you how rough it rides empty, and as far as I am concerned does the truck no good to ride that hard. I have no desire to see how tight all the bolts are in my truck. Like you said I don't have an EX, but you have with E rated tires ,I don't know your size roughly from 3200-3750 lbs rating for a total of 12800-15000 lbs total carrying capacity distributed on four tires. You are roughly using about half the tire rating.
Again, it is heaver in the rear which is what is going to be the determining factor to a rough ride. I ran my Revo's at 65/75 for years while towing the TT, and the tires wore very even (they just wore out fast!!). I think after much thought and good advise here that I am going to stick with what worked for me (65/75). Of course in the winter I will air them down, probably to 55/65 (this is also what I did with the Revo's).
Thanks to all for the good posts!! I can always count on everyone here to quickly answer questions and provide a good debate!!
Cheers!!
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RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
I looked up the curb weight ratings for the EX, V10 4x4. I'd attach the file, but this crappy forum SW that we have to use here doesn't allow for posting attachments....
Front = 3,575 lbs
Rear = 3,615
Total = 7,190
So the rear DOES weigh more than the front when unloaded.
RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
There are a lot of people who don't agree, but I would look at the specification sticker on the door jamb, and use the pressures stated there. There also should be an inflation chart in the Owner's Manual that goes into more detail about what pressures should be used at what load.
IMO, the MAXIMUM pressure stated on the tire sidewall is for the MAXIMUM rated load of the tire, ONLY. For any load lighter than that, you can have a corresponding decrease in pressure. If you run the tires at maximum rated pressure, with a light or no load, you will wear the center of the tread out. You want a tire pressure which will allow the tread to lay flat on the road surface, and wear evenly all the way across.
Just my opinion, of course, others will disagree, some quite vehemently.
FYI, I am a retired mechanic. At one time I was trained and certified (military and civilian) for demounting and mounting tires on multi-piece wheels (split-ring, snap ring, and bolted, truck, industrial equipment, and aircraft).
Sorry, but I need to clarify why I cannot do this. The original tires on the Ex were D load 65 psi tires. These were recalled by Ford and replaced with E load 80 psi tires. The owners manual and the door sticker both relate to the original D load tires and therefor cannot be used for information.
Amen to that. Our Excursion fortunately came with BG Goodrich Load Range E tires, but the (worthless) sticker had numbers based on D tires.
Of course, dealer knew no better, and had the lower pressure (as on the door sticker) in the tires. The first thing we did to the Ex, the same day we brought it home, was air up all 4 tires to around 70 psi. that improved the ride/handling SIGNIFICANTLY, was very noticeable. And, after 5+ years of use both towing and non-towing...I see no uneven wear in the tires at all. They are all wearing very evenly, and after 48,000 miles, still have a good bit of tread left on them.
Soo, anyway, you're on the right track, airing up those E load tires. The Ex in particular, seems to ride better when you put 'bout 70-75 psi in the tires.
Thanks for that. 70 psi seems to be the sweet spot for tires on the Ex. For those that do not have one, the Ex is a much heaver vehicle than any PU or SUV out there.
RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
Sorry got caught up in the tire chart thing. I run Goodrich TA's E rated @ 80 psi. When not towing I run them all the way around 50 psi.
I noticed 50 front and 65 back just wondering why the difference. I would assume the back is heavier even when not towing ??? Just the opposite with my Ford Superduty pickup front is heavier. I would think a little less air pressure in the back would be better traction in the snow or whatever. 65 psi seems a little extreme running empty.
Good point, I am not sure if the back of the Ex is heaver than the front when empty. Certainly it is in a PU truck. I know when towing that the TV sure steers better when the front as a little less psi than the rear, hence the 70-80 split. I think I'll try keeping them all at the same pressure for the winter months, maybe at 55 psi or something.
RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
Don't you mean info that agrees with your already made decision to run the tires overinflated?
And does the back end of a X weigh more than the front when empty, or am I missing something?
Why am I running my tires overinflated? Overinflated would be exceeding the 80psi rating, I am not doing that. My Ex almost exclusively used for towing in the summer months, I do not care to constantly air up and down the tires.
RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
I have the transforce tires on my Excursion and I have been very happy with them. I run the fronts at 70psi & the rear at 80psi. 99.9% of the time the Excursion is driven it has the TT hooked up so I dont bother adjusting them for an empty load. During the winter when I drive the Excursion empty I adjust the pressure to 50psi frt & 65psi rear.
Carl
HEY!! Some information that I can use. Thank you very much!!. I was actually going to do this - 70ft, 80rr. Winter pressures seem good to!!. So you like the Transforce A/T's? How many miles to yo have on them and have they worn well? How are they in the snow? They look like they will do really well. I like the big spaces between the tread for better self-cleaning.
RE: Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
There are a lot of people who don't agree, but I would look at the specification sticker on the door jamb, and use the pressures stated there. There also should be an inflation chart in the Owner's Manual that goes into more detail about what pressures should be used at what load.
IMO, the MAXIMUM pressure stated on the tire sidewall is for the MAXIMUM rated load of the tire, ONLY. For any load lighter than that, you can have a corresponding decrease in pressure. If you run the tires at maximum rated pressure, with a light or no load, you will wear the center of the tread out. You want a tire pressure which will allow the tread to lay flat on the road surface, and wear evenly all the way across.
Just my opinion, of course, others will disagree, some quite vehemently.
FYI, I am a retired mechanic. At one time I was trained and certified (military and civilian) for demounting and mounting tires on multi-piece wheels (split-ring, snap ring, and bolted, truck, industrial equipment, and aircraft).
Sorry, but I need to clarify why I cannot do this. The original tires on the Ex were D load 65 psi tires. These were recalled by Ford and replaced with E load 80 psi tires. The owners manual and the door sticker both relate to the original D load tires and therefor cannot be used for information.
Got my new tires!!! Question about pressures.
I ended up going with the Firestone Transforce A/T" LT 265/74/R16 Load E. Nice tire and I got a good price ($565 OTD) at the local Firestone dealer.
Now for my question. I was running 65 psi ft, and 75 psi rr with the Revos that I had. They were also load E w/ a max pressure of 80. They did fine with this set up. The Firestone dealer aired the new tires up to their max of 80 psi. Is this what I should keep them at? I think for the rear it would be ok, but for the front don't I want a little less so I get a more firm steering feel? Also, when I am not towing the TT, like in the winter, I used to always air the tires down quite a bit to 55 fr, 65 rr. Is this still advisable to do?
RE: Need new tires for the TV
Rob,
Smart decision IMO going back to the 'known'...many swap out tires even if they are happy with the handling characteristics...only to find that the new tires do NOT perform in a towing situation like the old ones...
For me...since my setup is rock solid...I'd be hard pressed to move to another type...I'm too conservative I guess.
Many on here and FTE that report tire performance do NOT tow all the time or the way you or I may...so it is really hard to compare.
Plus tires are a HUGE part of the suspension package...and our Excursions can be picky to find the handle...once you have found it...don't deviate too far from it would be my advice.
Good luck!
joe.
Thanks for the advice. I may ask if I can return them for the Revo's if I don't like them.
RE: Need new tires for the TV
Are they load range E's as well?
Also...do you tow with your Ex?...
I've found that not many tire shop guys know diddly about towing performance...sorry...
Hopefully...if you tow...since this IS the tow vehicles forum...someone here can chime in with their experiences on towing performance for the Transforce...
I'd just make sure they are E rated tires though...
joe.
Hello Joe
Yes, I tow my signiture TT with the Ex. Yes, the Transforce A/T that I was quoted are Load E tires. According to the Firestone guy these are the tires they recommend for 3/4 and 1 ton trucks that are towing and hauling heavy loads. I was happy with the Revo's performance, but not with the tread wear. I'm defaulting to getting another set unless I can confirm that the Transforce will give the same or better performance.
RE: Need new tires for the TV
Ok, I was all set on getting another set of Bridgestone Revo's and called my local Firestone service center. I can get the Revo's for $700 OTD, not that bad!!. The sales guy also told me about Firestone Transforce A/T's. He says that these are more of a "commercial" tire and will wear much better that the Revo's (this is the only complaint I had with them). He also said that the performance will be on par with the Revo's. These Transforce A/T are the replacements for the old Steeltex A/T's that my Ex came with from the factory. I can get the Transforce for $570 OTD, a really good price!!. Does anyone have experience with these tires? I really don't want to trade any performance just to get better wear.
RE: Need new tires for the TV
I currentlyt run Revo & am happy with them. Strictly for towing. Green Diamonds in winter. I have run the BFGs & Cooper Discoverers, both good. Mich LTX I tried, but found them to be too soft for my tastes. Everybody seems to have a favorite tire. IMHO 35K pretty good for towing tires.
Yea, I guess I shouldn't complain too much about the 35k miles. Almost every mile of that was towing my TT. I think I going to go with the Revo's again.
Need new tires for the TV
My TV is an 2001 Ford Excursion, and it's time for a new set of rubber. I currently have Bridgstone Dueler Revo's on it. I was very happy with the performance, but did not like the wear. I only got about 35k miles out of them to where I feel like they need to be replaced. I was set on the Goodyear Silent Armor Pro Grade's, but I have read a number of reviews that say that the tire roll is horrible and they are not good for towing a heavy trailer. The Revo's were fine. What are some other suggestions? How about the Michelin LTX? I'll go back to the Revo's at least knowing that they preformed well.
RE: BestFan toCirculate Air in Fridge ??????
I bought one of These on e-bay and it works great. Moves a lot of air, uses just a trickle of juice and easy to install. Good Luck!
Thanks for the link!! Looks great!!
RE: looking for a campground in SE Michigan
Whatever you do, do not go to the Greenfield KOA in Ypsilanti. IMO, it's not that bad at all. We've stayed there 3 times while visiting friends in the area. The wooded campsites (some with FHU) are very nice & shady on a hot summer day, there's a nice little trail around the lake, and the lake is swimmable. Probably not as nice as the SPs by a long shot, but really - not that bad.
I guess I had a bad experience there a few years ago. The staff was not friendly, the facilities (bathrooms/showers)were terrible; very dirty!! The wooded site you mention that we were on was very cramped and made it difficult to use our awning and hook up to the sewer (lots of trees!!). Maybe they have made some changes recently. I might give them a second change sometime.
RE: looking for a campground in SE Michigan
SE MI. Sterling SP as mentioned is very nice. Also, Algonac SP is very nice too although it doesn't have full hook-ups. Port Huron KOA is also nice.
Whatever you do, do not go to the Greenfield KOA in Ypsilanti.
RE: Tire pressure and bounce
If your TV tires only have a 44psi max, then this is your problem. You have "P" or passenger car tires on your Expedition EL. You need to go get some "LT" tires in a load range "E". These will have a 80 psi max and much stiffer sidewalls. This will eliminate the bouncing you are experiencing.
