Someone please verify this 17" rim issue...

[pcohenchicago]

I have a 2005 Explorer Limited w/ 17" rims. I want LT or XL tires - more for towing cpacity than anything. I have the class 3/4 hitch and, yes, I sometimes will pull that kind of load (3000 - 4000 pounds). What I am being told, though, is that I need to go down to a 16" wheel to get the LT or XL rated tire. The rewason I am getting is that there needs to be more space between the rim and the outer edge of the tire to support the weight distribution...

Is that true? If that is the case, I wonder why Ford would allow you to put a class 3/4 hitch on their vehicle and equip it with a wheel size that is too big to support the maximium tow weight.

Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[pcohenchicago]

I called Tire Rack and they confirmed that on this vehicle, with a 17" wheel, there are not LT or XL type tires I can get for it. Also, at 17", there are not many tires available in these ratings.

DAMN!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I thought there was more available- I would look on www.discounttiredirect.com or other sites, don't rely on a salesperson. I can't see how there isn't an LT for a 17" wheel. Heck, nearly all new F150's have 17s.

 

[james t]

What is your actual tire size? There are tons of LT 17" tires on the market, problem is you might have a certain size that not many companies make in an LT version. Give me a size and ill see if i can find some or perhaps build you a set. :

 

[pcohenchicago]

What is your actual tire size? There are tons of LT 17" tires on the market, problem is you might have a certain size that not many companies make in an LT version. Give me a size and ill see if i can find some or perhaps build you a set. :

245 70 R 17 are what is on the vehicle and is the size that comes with it.
Thanks!

 

[james t]

There are alot of LT tires in that size. Im guessing you want a load range D or something? Just about any brand 245/70/17 is STD rated for around 2400lbs. Thats 9600lb. max load. You will never have 10k on your Explorer no matter what you tow. Figure 4600lbs for the truck, 500lbs for the tongue weight, 700lbs worth of passengers, another 500lbs of gear and you are still WAY below 10k lbs.

If you really want a beef tow rig tire you could step up to a 245/75/17. You can find that size all over in a load range E, which is completely overkill on an Explorer. It will only be about 3/4" taller than your stockers.

 

[Gatorblazer]

BF Goodrich has them in your exact size in the rugged trail series. With their popularity, someone has them. I'm sure that Walmart or Sams carries them

 

[DarkStone]

BF Goodrich has them in your exact size in the rugged trail series. With their popularity, someone has them. I'm sure that Walmart or Sams carries them

dont get the rugged trail series, you will be severely disappointed. Ford puts them as stock on explorers, maybe not in the load range you are looking at but it will have the same tread pattern, which will get you stuck in wet grass, plus they dont last very long, BUYER BEware

 

[pcohenchicago]

There are alot of LT tires in that size. Im guessing you want a load range D or something? Just about any brand 245/70/17 is STD rated for around 2400lbs. Thats 9600lb. max load. You will never have 10k on your Explorer no matter what you tow. Figure 4600lbs for the truck, 500lbs for the tongue weight, 700lbs worth of passengers, another 500lbs of gear and you are still WAY below 10k lbs.

If you really want a beef tow rig tire you could step up to a 245/75/17. You can find that size all over in a load range E, which is completely overkill on an Explorer. It will only be about 3/4" taller than your stockers.

Thank you VERY much for the info. D rated tire would be ideal, but after reading your post and doing a little more digging, the P245's I have now should really be enough (I have Michelin LTS M/S P245 70 R17 tires now).

I'll keep an eye on it. I am mostly towing a large boat which has a light tounge weight, actually. I am guessing that I should be good with it, yes?

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[james t]

Yea, even a tire rated for say 2klbs will still put you at 8000lbs max on the X. Maybe if you got a roof rack and hauled a Fiero on it... :

 

[fromme]

I'm going through the same thing you are on my 03 Limited. I tow frequently, and the stock BFG's aren't cutting it. I pull a 16' car trailer and a CJ, camping gear, tools, etc. The load range on them is 105 (about 2,000lbs/ea). With a max inflation of 35 psi, it's not cutting it, the tires aren't wearing well. Last night I went to get a set of new 265/70-17 Yokohama's put on. Well we test fitted one up front, and there is only about 1/4" clearance between the tire and the bottom of the fender opening (both sides) on the front. How people are saying you can run that size with no mods on the 02-05 is beyond me. That's just too close. Maybe for a mall rig, but I actually go offroad. So I've decided to try a set of 275/65-17's. They may be too wide for the stock rims, I don't know. But they are 31" tall exactly, which should fit fine. And the load rating is 115 (about 2500 lbs/ea). I think that extra 2,000 pounds in load rating will get me what I want, without having to run a D or E load range, which will have a real stiff ride. Does anyone know what the width is of the OE 17" wheels? I did a search, but nothing.