Your rear GAWR is rated around 6000-6200 lb isn't it? If so, all you need are tires that will support that load.
x2
I'm sorry I don't buy the resistance to a Load Range D tire. For example
LT245/70-17E is rated for 3195@80psi and at 2740@70 psil load.
LT285/75-17D is rated for 3195@65psi and at 2755@50 psi.
No real difference in load ratings.
Snip....
Agreed.
I have many posts/articles on my (currently defunct) blog about tires, including one a about sidewalls and load ranges. Needs and desires vary based on application and usage.
The original poster was clear that he was not going to haul heavy with his truck, so it sounds like he would have plenty of load capacity and stiffness with a LR D tire.
When lightly loaded, or not loaded, if truck owners are not running their tires at the max psi for the maximum carrying capacity, yet running lower pressures, there will be less if any observed difference in most applications at lower pressures. Running
enough is the key. I am very against running my tires at GAWR psi (60-80) when running light as I have no desire to have 80 psi tires bouncing around offering less traction and wear.
I did it on my F250 without a problem. It worked fine and was actually more stable than the stock tires.
On this truck I barely make it in a E125 rating which is why I have E129 tires on it.
Another specific example- My recently sold '96 F-350 came with the then standard 235/85R16E size, rated for 3,042 pounds each (SRW) at 80 psi. They were replaced with
a larger size that lived on the truck for most of its 18 years, 255/85R16D. Only relatively recently did the 255/85 size start to be made in a LR E, they were always a LR D tires, and some still are.
The 255/85R16D is rated for 3,000 pounds (SRW) at 65 psi. The 84 pound capacity difference (per pair) is so small it's a non-issue for me, the GAWR on the truck was 6,084, obviously because that was the capacity of the tires. That old Ford hauled and pulled plenty of weight during my 18 years of ownership, at max. 65 psi. Of course if one needs maximum stiffness (not the example given), chose a different tire. When not running a load, psi was much lower, appropriate for the load (or lack of load). Your mileage, usage and needs may vary.
There are/were some stout LR D tires and some weak LR E tires, all depends.
But, because many drivers are terrible about tire maintenance and safety, and the times we live in, you may have a hard time finding a tire shop that will mount a LR D tire on a truck that came with LR E. Even if they are rated to carry
more weight than the OE tires.