Hauling with "D" rated tires

[sparks57]

I forgot to add this in my last post and thought it deserved it's own thread. Because I am a starving highschool student and can't afford new tires I had to buy used 285/75r15 D rated tires a couple of months ago. I need to pull a gooseneck trailer with 4 or 5 tons of hay this weekend with these tires. They are rated for a few hundred pounds more than my old 245/75r16 "E" rated tires. I heard a few things that piqued my interest: will these tires hold up as well as the E's even though they have fewer plys when hauling? My grandpa said not to worry because they are rated at like 4000, and that 4000 is 4000 no matter how many plys.



Can someone please clarify? Thanks.

 

[paccool]

15" ??? Didn't think there were any 8 lug wheels in that size. Or are you talking about the trailer?



Are you sure the "D"rated tires have a higher load rating than the "E"? Usually the other way around.



Stan

 

[bmoeller]

You should be fine. Truck that my dad used where he used to work had D range tires. We pulled more weight that and never had any problems with the gooseneck. Just make sure you have enough air in them.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

It's my understanding that "E" range tires are rated higher than the "D" rated as well.

Also the "D" rated being fewer ply's will have less stability than an "E" rated tire when both are at max pressure/capacity.

They are more inclined to sway or possibly break the contact with the rim bead at extreme's, and break contact with the road surface. You'll also find they are more prone to heat buildup and separation.

I am currently running "D" rated tires, but don't take the truck to max capacity either.



Bob.

 

[JLEONARD]

I am currently running "D" rated tires, but don't take the truck to max capacity either.

I'm glad you mentioned this Bush... . as I am nearing the point of replacing the Es that were on the truck when I bought it.

My son (self proclaimed tire 'guru' since he worked for Goodyear for many years) advises me that I will get a much better ride with D tires. I don't tow or haul much normally.



I'm looking for something that is all season and not noisy at highway speeds... I'm running stock rims. . 2 wd... . any suggestions?

 

[sparks57]

Sorry, that was a typo, I have 16" rims. The reason these D's have more capacity than the E's is because they are bigger and have a higher air volume. The E's were only 245/75 and the D's are 285/75. These 285's have a few hundred pounds more capacity.



JLEONARD: D rated tires tend to ride better because they are not as stiff and you can air them down more. I wouldn't go less than D with a diesel truck.

 

[Dscholz]

CB_Parker,

I am also running 285/75R16 BFG AT's ("D" Rated) on my truck. I haul my 14K fifth wheel with a gooseneck hitch a couple times a year and have not had any problems yet. I would tend to agree with the others that the E rated tires would probably be better if you hauled all the time but if you just do it every once in a while the D rated should be fine.

Dan

 

[JFitzgerald]

I also use D rated 33x12. 5x16. 5 BFG tires and tow at least 12K without problems. I have a set of E rated tires that came with my truck, and there is a difference in ride quality. They are now on my gooseneck trailer.



My friend has the same tires on his Furd crew cab diesel, and says he has towed up to 30K at times. Ususally a couple fork lifts on his three axle gooseneck. The tires are fine, but it's killing the truck, so he just got a 1st gen. He's also looking into the right kind of truck for towing this weight, probably an International.

 

[Dkevdog]

There are many D rated tires with equal or higher weight ratings as D tires. Typically, you are correct: an E rated tire will carry a higher weight rating than an equally sized D tire. The higher rating in D tire will come from the tire having more contact surface, as in a larger or wider tire. For example, I recently was looking for 255/85/16E tires for my 01' Dually. Nobody makes them in anything higher than a D tire. The wieght rating on my stock tire, which is a 235/85/16E is 3042lbs. The rating for a 255/85/16D tire was 3020 lbs.



This still does not mean that you have the same rating- an E rated tire, as was stated, has more ply's and the sidewall will be stiffer. This is important for handling when towing.



I was short on cash when I put tires on my 96- and put D rated tires on it. With a 10K fiver in tow, the tires were spongy and didn't handle well on mountain or windy roads because of it. I regreted doing it and will never do it again. Do what you will but I highly reccomend an E rated tire for towing.



Kev

 

[Old Smoky]

CB_Parker,

I am very happy with my D rated 285/75/16's. When I bought the rig it had the stock size 235/85/16 (E) tires on it. I didn't like the rough ride of the E rated tires, so I went with the D's. The D tires I have now are rated higher than the E tires. Though, like others have said, I would go with the E's if doing a lot of towing. The D's do just fine towing, but the sidewalls being softer (and larger) allow it to sway a bit more. I have them aired down for a proper contact pattern for normal driving, and air them up quite a bit for towing. I like the 285's because they ride so much better, allow for more ground clearance and footprint, and look better.



Mike

 

[JLEONARD]

Thanks for all the input... . looks like it all makes sense... a bonus!!!

Jay

 

[paccool]

Good info here about the D rated tires. Softer ride wouldn't hurt my feelings at all!



One question though. If the truck came with E tires and that is on the door sticker, what happens if a D tire is used, comes apart and causes a wreak. Will the insurance company say sorry, you were not using the tire you should have been using so we don't pay? Just a question, not trying to start a war.



Stan

 

[boatpuller]

I don't think that the insurance company could say anything as long as the load rating is high enough.

Just my $. 02





Caleb

 

[JLEONARD]

Stan,

Remove the sticker.

I don't think the sticker police will hunt you down for that!

Jay

 

[Dieselman359]

Good point paccool, I put "E" tires on my truck about 2 years ago, and the sticker says "C. " I wonder why it would leave the factory with "C's" on a dually

On a side note, if the "C's" make it ride better, I think that I may have to start looking for some more spare wheels and tires.