Load Range E or D?????

[swampinboy]

Here it is for you, Most of my driving is road and trail (light stuff) and I like tires with traction, namely the BF Goodrich MT but I also tow quite often with both tag and goose. It is time for new tires and would like to upsize to 285/75 for looks but cant find any E rated tires in that size, well just one, easy now, Super Swamper TRXS. So whats your guys opinion? Load range D (I really like the idea of stiffer E sidewalls) or sacrifice some mileage and go with the new swampers (these are a newer tire w/milder tread design) I have heard some goodfeed back from a couple of people running the TRXS radials, one was a tdr member. Well tell me what you think, please, thanks.

 

[WadePatton]

Here's the deal

The actual load carrying capacity of the tire is strongly influenced by the volume of air it holds. Therefore 245/75 E's are rated to less #'s than 265/75 E's. And most of our trucks are rated for 245's. Mine is and it came with 265's stock, as many do.



So driving characteristics may be a bit different with the lighter belts of a C or D rated tire, but if it is larger than 245, then it may carry a enough load capacity rating to make up for the belt difference.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I went to "D's" on my 93 becasue I never haul anything heavy. It did ride much better but it had a lot of sway when I pulled my 22 ft TT. I'd never had any sway with the load range "E's" .

 

[Cooker]

I think if you tow heavy frequently you are much better off with E's regardless of the weight carrying capacity of the D's.

 

[tgbol]

When I put the 285 75 r16 remingtons on my truck they were D rated, but still had a 50 pound greater capacity than the E Michelins that were on it. I now have 305's, They are 85 pounds greater.

 

[swampinboy]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. I think I will go with my E range swampers, the trxs 10ply 285/75/16. I will post later after purchase and a few miles on them to let you know how they are. Hopefully I will get about 30k miles out of a larger E rated mud tire. I guess if I dont like them, wont be the first time I spend $700 on something thats no fun to ride on and doesn't last long.



see ya