Towing with 35's

[JCasper]

From what I understand the G56 with 3:73s is about the same gearing as the NV5600 with 4:10s. That is why they don't offer 4:10s with the G56. Yes the tires are very stable when towing. I tow with them at 62psi. Regular driving 42psi front 38psi rear. Offroad 18-20psi.

Good, I hope they work out. I just ordered them. I am having them installed on Tuesday after I put my D25's and new Bilsteins on.

 

[GaryCarter]

In about a month I can give you a good comparison. Leaving next week for about a 7k mile trip with the fiver. I've been swapping back and forth between the stock tires for towing and the 35's for off-road. Got tired of that, so just put on a brand new set of 35" ProComp AT's and they're staying on. Monday I'm installing the Juice & Attitude. My intention is to run that on level 1 to put me back to stock rear wheel #'s with the 35's.



Gary

 

[GaryCarter]

Results- The Edge on level 1 does not quite bring the power back up to par with stock 265's. Level 2 does for sure. I stuck with level 1 for better economy (hopefully).



Results are mixed for me. Firstly, you lose the best part of the effective power curve in overdrive (2000-2200)- unless you tow at 80 mph. 70 mph is only 1800 with the auto. Not to say that the truck won't pull, it does very well, even with stock power. Pulls all the way down to 1200 RPM with the TC locked, and holds good torque all the way down to 1400. Cruising on anything short of say 5% climbs the truck will run all day in OD and never shift down.

In direct (3rd) I actually like it better. With stock tires, at 70 mph, this would be around 2800 rpm when a hard climb forces a downshift. Too high on the power curve. With the 35" tires, now it's around 2400 rpm at 70, and forced downshifts are a lot less stressful and with better power after the downshift. I only found a couple of grades where I would lose speed in third @ 16k lbs.



First and second gears with the TC unlocked is where the big tire is most noticable, due to the weak fluid coupling. Even with stock power you just run the revs up as high as you want and then wait for the speed to slowly build. Once she locks up you can finally get the power to the ground. Of course with a manual this won't be an issue.



Stability suffered a little. More noticeable side to side motion felt in the turbulence behind semis etc. This is more an effect of the truck rocking than actually shifting course, as you can hold the wheel steady and she does not veer course. This is probably compounded in my case because I've got the lift as well.

Ride quality way UP IMO. I can't say enough about these ProComps. Smooth as glass ride, quiet, better shock absorbsion.

One item to be wary of is driving in the wet. The big tires will most definitely pull when hitting standing water. It's exciting when you get an unplanned lane change with a trailer in tow.



All in all I'm very satisfied and plan to keep on with the same plan going forward. With a six speed I would have NO hesitation towing with 35's. If it were an automatic, and towing a LOT of weight, I would be more concerned.



Gary

 

[JCasper]

Thanks Gary,



I have had mine on for a few weeks and love them. I went with the Toyo M/T's. I have not had a chance to tow with them yet. I am thinking about getting a smarty and that should take care of any power problems I have as well as my stock clutch.



As far as your stability, do you think some of that is due to the tires you have only being D Rated. Or just because of the overall height.



Thanks for the report.



Joe

 

[GaryCarter]

No doubt an E tire will be firmer than a D. I think the effects of softer tire and higher suspension both effect rocking and add together.

And as I said, the truck was not veering or wandering. It's just the cab rocking side to side in the turbulence. The tracking was perfectly stable as long as you hold the wheel steady.



Gary