Tyre loads and towing?
Discussion
Hi all, bit of advice needed. I've got a 2003 Impreza WRX wagon and plan to tow about 1200kgs with it this coming weekend.
I need to replace one of the tyres as I have noticed a gouge in the side of it. Blackcircles tells me that the car should have 215/45/17 87W all round. It's currently wearing that size but in 91Y flavour.
Two things:
1. Is it OK to mix load ratings, or will it cause unpredictability due to the sidewall stiffness? I presume they do vary according to load rating?
2. If towing, would it be better to run a higher than OEM spec load rating anyway?
Many thanks!
I need to replace one of the tyres as I have noticed a gouge in the side of it. Blackcircles tells me that the car should have 215/45/17 87W all round. It's currently wearing that size but in 91Y flavour.
Two things:
1. Is it OK to mix load ratings, or will it cause unpredictability due to the sidewall stiffness? I presume they do vary according to load rating?
2. If towing, would it be better to run a higher than OEM spec load rating anyway?
Many thanks!
Plenty of people run different brands of tyres on different wheels, which will obviously have different sidewall stiffness as well as hugely different tread patterns, without serious problems; I don't think running the same model tyre with a different load rating is going to have a huge effect, although obviously it will make some difference to how the car drives.
The manufacturer's specified load rating should cope with the car's maximum towing capacity if the trailer is correctly loaded. Even with a really heavy trailer, nose-weight should never be that high. No harm in running a higher load rating, but it's not necessary.
The manufacturer's specified load rating should cope with the car's maximum towing capacity if the trailer is correctly loaded. Even with a really heavy trailer, nose-weight should never be that high. No harm in running a higher load rating, but it's not necessary.
Ideally you will want 50 to 70 kilograms weight on the tow bar from the trailer. This is less than a couple of back seat passengers, so unlikely to effect your tyres.
I have towed thousands of kilometers with a horse float, with a couple of horses, [about 1600 KG], 3 or 4 people & a load of saddles & gear. I have use a number of crew cab utes with standard lite truck tyres, & a number of largish rear drive sedans, with standard tyres also.
I even did 1600 kilometers with a 1200 KG float/horse combination, behind a front drive Toyota Camry on normal tyres. No trouble with the tyres, but the rear of the body was never quite the same.
Just make sure the tow bar is suitably attached, in a Subaru approved manner. That is more important than the tyres, provided they are sound. Both GM & Ford offer tow-packs to stiffen the back of the body for tow weights over 1.6 ton.
I have towed thousands of kilometers with a horse float, with a couple of horses, [about 1600 KG], 3 or 4 people & a load of saddles & gear. I have use a number of crew cab utes with standard lite truck tyres, & a number of largish rear drive sedans, with standard tyres also.
I even did 1600 kilometers with a 1200 KG float/horse combination, behind a front drive Toyota Camry on normal tyres. No trouble with the tyres, but the rear of the body was never quite the same.
Just make sure the tow bar is suitably attached, in a Subaru approved manner. That is more important than the tyres, provided they are sound. Both GM & Ford offer tow-packs to stiffen the back of the body for tow weights over 1.6 ton.
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