Light/medium towing tires on suv..

[Jemorgan3]

I have a 2023 expedition that I tow a #7000 boat with and will be shipping for new tires soon. The OEM tires and most others in the 22” OEM size have a load index of 114 and range rating XL, yet I see lots of variations as far as reviews between tires with the same index/load ratings as being better or worse for towing..

Spec looking at Goodyear Eagle Touring tires, meets all of the OEM specifications, but some of the reviews for towing say they feel squishy or inadequately for towing.. did this tire get a rating higher than it should have? Isn’t there a standard it should have meet?

 

[The_Jeff]

You can safely support a vehicle while still having squishy sidewalls. LTs will hold it steadier but with possibly a worse ride.

 

[CKN]

I tow all over the Intermountain West and my preference is XL tires. No need to ruin the ride with LTs. Yes-any (regular-even passenger tires) can do it at maximum PSI.

 

[MParr]

I have a 2023 expedition that I tow a #7000 boat with and will be shipping for new tires soon. The OEM tires and most others in the 22” OEM size have a load index of 114 and range rating XL, yet I see lots of variations as far as reviews between tires with the same index/load ratings as being better or worse for towing..

Spec looking at Goodyear Eagle Touring tires, meets all of the OEM specifications, but some of the reviews for towing say they feel squishy or inadequately for towing.. did this tire get a rating higher than it should have? Isn’t there a standard it should have meet?

Stay within the original specifications. The main decision is whether you want something specifically for SUVs or pickups. Some will be dual rated.
The Cooper Endeavor Plus is a popular replacement tire for SUVs.

 

[Jemorgan3]

I dont really want to sacrifice the OEM ride, the 22's already cause it to be stiffer than id prefer..

I was just confused as to how the Goodyear Eagle Touring can be XL/114 rated, the same as some of the other highly regarded tires with really good ratings for towing (also much more expensive) yet carry the same ratings. Im gonna give the Goodyears a try, either way ill learn a lesson!

Thanks for the opinions!!

 

[johnmyster]

I dont really want to sacrifice the OEM ride, the 22's already cause it to be stiffer than id prefer..

I was just confused as to how the Goodyear Eagle Touring can be XL/114 rated, the same as some of the other highly regarded tires with really good ratings for towing (also much more expensive) yet carry the same ratings. Im gonna give the Goodyears a try, either way ill learn a lesson!

Thanks for the opinions!!

XL just means it has higher load/pressure rating than was initially designated by tire and rim association (TRA) for that size.

The manufacturer can still construct the tire to have various handling character within that load index. Perhaps the tire you're looking at is ride and fuel economy oriented, which would dictate flexibility in the sidewall.

 

[edyvw]

I dont really want to sacrifice the OEM ride, the 22's already cause it to be stiffer than id prefer..

I was just confused as to how the Goodyear Eagle Touring can be XL/114 rated, the same as some of the other highly regarded tires with really good ratings for towing (also much more expensive) yet carry the same ratings. Im gonna give the Goodyears a try, either way ill learn a lesson!

Thanks for the opinions!!

Your problem are OE tires.
1. 22" is good to improve handling, looks. Also, it actually might provide better stability than smaller wheels when towing.
2. However, your options are very limited. 22" will wear out faster, and probably you won't be able to find some truly good tires when it comes to towing.

If I had a car with 22", I would find on Facebook the smallest wheel that goes on that Expedition, OE Ford. Then go shopping for tires that have very good reviews when it comes to towing. Also, that opens the option for C load tires, not E load. C load will be rougher than XL, but not as rough as E load. Also, XL options will be better, and cheaper and they will last longer.
I ditched 20" from my Sequoia for 18" two months after buying the vehicle.

 

[meep]

@Jemorgan3

7000 boat will put somewhere between 700 and 1100 pounds on the ball. Divided in half, and a little lever arm effect and thats all of 500 pounds added to each tire. Each tire is probably oem rated to 2200 lbs or so?

My first camper weighed 6500lbs and the second less. Through the life of towing both I’ve had
- Bridgestone revo 2
- Firestone destination LE
- cooper RTX, very similar to their current on road all terrain
- 2 sets of continental ATs
- Yokohama G015

Frankly, all did fine. The coopers had the heaviest sidewalls, and their current on-road all terrain is stealing the show in the tire rack ratings and testing. Based on the reviews and tests, they are worth checking out. It is a mild all terrain, which may be handy since some boat ramps and surroundings can get a little rough.

The main thing I learned with any tire was finding a good inflation. I would usually roll around with 32-35psi empty to 44-45 in the rear when towing. That was huge. Make sure the tire can support it, not all like it.

Yokohama G015 was also a good, sturdy tire, and wore better that the coopers over time, which were cupping by 20k, they handled the pressure and weight no problem. Frankly the G015 or possibly their replacement G018 could be worth looking at - the first G018s were offered in LTs and there are noise complaints with them. Unknown if the p-metrics are quieter. Yokohama really impressed me with tire uniformity - very well made.

The continentals need a little more air to be firm riders, but they seem to squirm over time and get weird right off of steering center - both sets began to steer one direction more eagerly than the other, and rotations would change it. I suspect those tires aren’t going to be as great especially under loads.

The destinations and the revos also fared well, with no drama. Both handled the weight and stressing well, without going to a higher weight rating. The current Bridgestone dueler ascent is a top rated on-road all terrain, right near the cooper.

 

[rszappa1]

XL just means it has higher load/pressure rating than was initially designated by tire and rim association (TRA) for that size.

The manufacturer can still construct the tire to have various handling character within that load index. Perhaps the tire you're looking at is ride and fuel economy oriented, which would dictate flexibility in the sidewall.

I have a 21 Honda HRV that has 225/50/18. It has SL tires and a v rated speed rating. I was looking at Michelin Defender 2 tires and in H rating it is a SL load but in the V rated tire it is XL. I was told by a few tire stores that the XL WILL give a harder ride on my HRV.

 

[johnmyster]

I have a 21 Honda HRV that has 225/50/18. It has SL tires and a v rated speed rating. I was looking at Michelin Defender 2 tires and in H rating it is a SL load but in the V rated tire it is XL. I was told by a few tire stores that the XL WILL give a harder ride on my HRV.

Tire stores may or may not know what they're talking about. I certainly wouldn't make that assertion about an XL from one brand and an SL from another. XL doesn't stand for harsher ride. It stands for additional load capacity vs what the standard TRA spec is (or was initially) for the size. How they got that load capacity is way beyond the average commissioned tire salesman's educational level.

Inflated to the same pressure, the pneumatic aspect of the tire will obviously be identical. There may be subtle differences of construction in the body of the tire, but it's not like we're talking about a jump from P-metric vs LT-metric 80 psi construction. Even so, to assert that the SL rated unit will be softer than the XL, we'd have to assume that the SL is only built to withstand the SL rating and not exceed it. Michelin doesn't typically do that.

Sometimes the way to build better speed/heat/load rating into a tire is to actually make the sidewall more flexible near the tread region. That's right. Softer. Softer sidewall generates less heat and reduces rolling resistance at the expense of durability and road hazard protection. Counterintuitive.

You'll see lots of tires that are common to a performance oriented car/sedan/suv (think bmw) that are XL. Those vehicles often call for additional pressure for high speed use to better manage weight (downforce) and/or heat generated at speed. Thus, why the higher speed rated tire comes along with the additional weight/pressure rating. My e92 was 3400 pounds...XL tires.

In your case, just use the H rated tire if you're that concerned about it.


Here's a neat one, a staggered fitment with only XL on the rear.

Jumping up to 46 psi on the rear for use >100mph, even with that big 285 meat.

 

[4wd]

I dont really want to sacrifice the OEM ride, the 22's already cause it to be stiffer than id prefer..

I was just confused as to how the Goodyear Eagle Touring can be XL/114 rated, the same as some of the other highly regarded tires with really good ratings for towing (also much more expensive) yet carry the same ratings. Im gonna give the Goodyears a try, either way ill learn a lesson!

Thanks for the opinions!!

Yeah - should be fine - never rode on any 22” that were squishy …