Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Calling tire experts (16.5" wheel)

[Spunkys Ram]

Here is my dilema.



My truck is currently running COMPLETLEY stock suspension and tires/wheels. Stock tires are Michelin LTX A/T LT265/75R16E with a max load rating of 3415lbs @ 80psi... with about 20% tread left.



Here is what I want to do. I have a leveling kit sitting in my garage along with some 16. 5" wheels with bald tires. Now if you remember 16. 5" wheels I want to hear from you. Fortunatly, BFG still makes tires for 16. 5" wheels. BFG's 35x12. 50R16. 5/D A/T is rated for 3415lbs @ 50psi.



I know the E range are 10 ply and the D range is 8 ply. But I guess what I don't understand is why they have the same weight rating. Is it because the BFG is wider?... more footprint?



I don't do a lot of towing with the truck, but I do tend to load the bed pretty heavy sometimes. It occasinally sees 6000+lbs in the bed, (hauling sand, and no, that's not a typo, 6000lbs, for a gross of 13000+). I use my truck.



Anyways, what would I be losing if I went the route of 35" BFG's? Would I gain anything? Thank you for your input.

 

[Spunkys Ram]

Whoops, can a Moderator please move this to the 2nd Gen (No engine/transmission) forum?

Thank you

 

[TAbbott]

Forget the 16. 5's I put some 35" tall 16. 5's on my old Ford 1 ton and tried hauling heavy with it. Didn't work at all. Blew 3 tires within 30 miles of each other. Seems like it might work on paper, but in practice it wasn't good at all. Same tires you're talking about. 35" tall BFG's.

 

[Cummins724]

Here is my dilema.



My truck is currently running COMPLETLEY stock suspension and tires/wheels. Stock tires are Michelin LTX A/T LT265/75R16E with a max load rating of 3415lbs @ 80psi... with about 20% tread left.



Here is what I want to do. I have a leveling kit sitting in my garage along with some 16. 5" wheels with bald tires. Now if you remember 16. 5" wheels I want to hear from you. Fortunatly, BFG still makes tires for 16. 5" wheels. BFG's 35x12. 50R16. 5/D A/T is rated for 3415lbs @ 50psi.



I know the E range are 10 ply and the D range is 8 ply. But I guess what I don't understand is why they have the same weight rating. Is it because the BFG is wider?... more footprint?



I don't do a lot of towing with the truck, but I do tend to load the bed pretty heavy sometimes. It occasinally sees 6000+lbs in the bed, (hauling sand, and no, that's not a typo, 6000lbs, for a gross of 13000+). I use my truck.



Anyways, what would I be losing if I went the route of 35" BFG's? Would I gain anything? Thank you for your input.

I run 16. 5 wheels & 33x12. 50x16. 5 BFG A/T. I tow 15k# all the time & have never had a problem. I have a 2" lift in the front, 35" tires will rub. I've hauled cubes of block in the bed that had my truck sagging, but no problems with tires. Most of my hauling is from Pa to W. V. , usually between 40 miles to 100 mile trips.

 

[jkern]

i have run 16. 5 for years and have run into a few problems. i occasionally haul heavy too. i ran load range D 16. 5's coopers i think. i had three sets of them and after about 10-12k miles i had the side walls split on 4 tires. i think it was due to the lighter weight rating and the constant flexing of the tire. i would definetly recommend an E rated tire. i just purchased a set of interco tires that are 33x12. 5x16. 5 that are E rated at 3525 lbs.



as for your question about why the different tires have the same rating, i would suspect because of the different manufacture. i am no expert, but i think that the load ratings (D,E, Etc. ) specify a range of weights, not a specific number.



33's will fit on a stock heighth truck and turn ok... never had 35's but have heard you need a decent sixed lift to be able to steer them.

 

[Spunkys Ram]

As a side note. When I do haul heavy (6000+) it is usually only for about 5 miles at no more then 30 mph.



Thank you for letting me know about the Interco tires. I didn't know they offered any 16. 5's. Are there any other manufactures that offer 16. 5's anyone knows of?

 

[jkern]

do a tire search on tirerack.com or 4wheelparts.com. 4wheel parts has all kinds of brands and most have at least a size or two of 16. 5's. but beware they are all pricey.