Load Range, Tire Size, Michelin LTX M/S2

[Eliminator]

Time for tire replacement, I have the LT265/70R17E Michelin on my truck and was looking at Sam's Club. They show a LT285/70R 17E in the new LTX M/S2. So I went by and ordered 4 of these tires going up in size over the present tires.



I was then looking at the Michelin Web site and they do not show they make a E load range in this tire. It shows a D load range at 3195 Lb, 65PSI MAX. The spec's on the Sam's Club tire shows 3195 LB, 80 PSI MAX.



So does Sam's Club have a true E load range tire that is only sold through them or is the Michelin web site incorrect and the tire is a load range E instead of D. What do yo think on this one.



The tires will be in in 4-5 days so I will know for sure then... .

 

[HBarlow]

I don't think SAM's Club offers any special tires. My guess is it was an error on their web page.

 

[seafish]

So far as I know, Michelin does not offer an E rated tire that is larger then the oem size (LT 265/70/17). They do offer a 285/70/17, but it is D rated at 65psi. I also just spoke with Michelin customer service directly (1-866-866-6605) and they informed me that all of their 17" LT tires that are oversized from oem are D rated. If Sams Club has a Michelin 285/70/17 E, please DO let us know.

 

[Eliminator]

The proof is in the tire

Sam's Club called and advised my tires were in..... so I went down Sat. AM to have them mounted. Every piece of paper work stated Load Range E, but the tires stated load range D. So they found out the information posted on all of their paperwork, web site, ect. were WRONG. And Michlein does not make a

LT285/70R 17E in the new LTX M/S2, it's a load range D. A lot of wasted time#@$%!

 

[HBarlow]

What's wrong with the OEM size? They are LRE.

 

[Eliminator]

OEM Size

When I reordered the tires I ordered the LT265 70R 17 in the new Michelin M/S2, they sure ride good, handling is good too. I just thought I would go up a tire size if the tire was indeed a load range E.



On the load range D, by law a tire distributor/installer like Sam's club cannot mount a load range D tire on a 2500 Ram. It must be a load range E tire, they have chart on vehicles and tire sizes they have to go by, you can go up but not down.



I would not want a load range D on my truck at all if you carry a heavy load or do towing, which I do. The sidewall has way too much flex in it.

 

[Regcabguy]

Costco adhere's by the same policy after losing a lawsuit on a underated tire they installed on a customer's car. Damage occurred and even though they were following the customer's request they got stung. You can,however,order anything they sell and deliver the rims to them and they'll mount them. You put them on the vehicle and after that they'll honor their flat,rotation and wear warranty. They are off the hook at that point.

 

[HBarlow]

I'm no tire expert but I do see that they both carry the same load 3195#. The E Rated tire carries a 80 PSI rating, while the larger D rated tires carries 65# psi. Is that a (the) problem? If you tow a lot and have a lot of bed weight, the sidewalls of the E rated will be stiffer, won't sway/roll as much in turns, and be more resistant to puncture because of it's heavier construction, but I would expect if you don't spend the majority of time towing, the D rated tire running at 50 psi will give you a noticeably smoother ride.

That "noticeably smoother ride" you referred to can only come at the expense of additional tire sidewall flex. That's not a trade-off I'm willing to make.