Chromag
Florida
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We just purchased our first travel trailer. It's a Crossroads Z-1 at around 5,700 pounds dry weight. We're towing with a Nissan Armada (with Blue Ox 1500). When we took delivery the service tech mentioned something about the tires so I wanted to bring it up here and get your opinions.
He said that the stock Armada tires have a soft sidewall so it feels more like a car when driving and because of that we'll feel more sway. We need new tires anyway and the tech suggested that we get class C or D tow rated tires if we were planning on getting new ones. They apparently have a firmer sidewall and have less sway problems.
Does anyone have any information about this? Does it really make much of a difference?
Thanks!
2012 Crossroads Z-1 271BH
2004 Nissan Armada with Blue Ox BXW1500, Prodigy P3
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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They will make a difference. Either C or D. Much better control. But how is it now with the P rated tires, are you having sway problems? Are you airing up the stock tires to the max psi on the sidewall?
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Ron3rd
Upland, CA USA
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SUVs come with "P" metric tires, the "P" is for passenger. They have more sidewall flex and a softer ride, intentionally. If you want to upgrade, go with "LT" rated tires, the LT is for "Light Truck" and yes, your dealer is correct, they LTs have stiffer sidewalls. Something in a load range D would be nice since your Armada is basically a Titan with an SUV body.
Since you need new tires anyway, now would be the time to change over to LT rated tires. LTs are a bit more expensive though, maybe 40-50 bucks a tire more.
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handye9
Park City, IL 60085
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goducks10 wrote:They will make a difference. Either C or D. Much better control. But how is it now with the P rated tires, are you having sway problems? Are you airing up the stock tires to the max psi on the sidewall?
Good questions!!
Even with LT tires, normal tire pressure (as stated on door post decal) is not usually the max tire pressure.
Example: My F250 has "E" rated LT tires. Door post decal, calls for 65psi. Max PSI (as stated on tire sidwall) is 80psi. I need the 80psi when hauling or towing, and, I get a smoother unloaded ride at 65psi.
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Chromag
Florida
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goducks10 wrote:They will make a difference. Either C or D. Much better control. But how is it now with the P rated tires, are you having sway problems? Are you airing up the stock tires to the max psi on the sidewall?
Well we just took delivery last weekend and stayed overnight on their delivery lot. I had never towed anything bigger than a small uhaul trailer. Unfortunately for me we experienced overnight storms (the entire TT was swaying around even with the stabilizers down) and a cold front that moved in causing high wind gusts of anywhere between 20-50 mph.
With winds like that it was tough for me to tell if I was experiencing sway problems since the wind gusts were pushing me all over the place. I'm pretty sure I'll have a chance to tow it again prior to getting new tires, hopefully with better weather next time.
The service techs did max the PSI in the tires and suggested we make sure we check them and do the same.
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ch47d99
VA
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I too have an Armada. I used the stock tires for about a year towing. I never had an issue with them. When they naturally were ready for replacement, I put LT Dunlop Load Range D on them. I noticed a difference in firmness and handling, but I don't know if it would have warranted getting rid of the stock tires before their time. I inflate mine to 50-55 PSI for towing. Max on my stock tires was 35. I would recommend the Dunlops...they have done well, and I got a good price on them.
Out of curiousity, was the Blue Ox the Sway Pro system?
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Truck tires are always better when using a truck AS a truck. If you haul bread from the grocery story then passenger tires will work just fine. Good luck / Skip
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Chromag
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ch47d99 wrote:I too have an Armada. I used the stock tires for about a year towing. I never had an issue with them. When they naturally were ready for replacement, I put LT Dunlop Load Range D on them. I noticed a difference in firmness and handling, but I don't know if it would have warranted getting rid of the stock tires before their time. I inflate mine to 50-55 PSI for towing. Max on my stock tires was 35. I would recommend the Dunlops...they have done well, and I got a good price on them.
Well they are getting pretty bald at this point and it's about time to get new tires anyway. I'll check out the Dunlops. Thanks for the info!
ch47d99 wrote:Out of curiousity, was the Blue Ox the Sway Pro system?
Yep - that's the system the dealer installed when we picked it up. They installed the Blue Ox SwayPro BXW1500. I read that friction sway control isn't the best option but it's what they suggested so I just went with it. That hitch is ridiculously heavy 
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eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
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I've run three different sets of P metric tires on my Expy towing. They all acted the same at 44 psi. Not a problem but stiffer sidewalls would be a benefit if feel. The load capacity is usually the around the same LT vs P truck tires.
If you can swing the dollars for LT tires go for it. Sometimes you're challenged by the tire size and can't get LT or they are available but $$$. Look at Tire Rack
I did a quick search for a 2009 Armada and you have one "E" load tire choice for 18" wheels and 3 "XL" load for 20" wheels.
Downside to the LT tire is cost and weight. You will see a small drop in MPG when not towing.
* This post was
edited 03/07/12 08:33am by eric james *
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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I have to say you have a pretty good dealer. I have bought 2 TT's and the tech guys weren't as thurough as your's.
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