2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission tire ratings

[prgilbert]

I'm looking into new tires in the near future (285/75/16) and was told by the shop I usually do business with that thay would not put a lesser rated ( D vs. E load ) on my truck due to potential legal issues in the event of an accident and possible an overzealous legal hound. I've searched many brands for an E load 285 but no luck, anyone ever have this problem? Maybe not worry about it and take my business elsewhere?

Thanks

 

[SRadke]

Never had any probelms with tire shops putting D rated tires on a Diesel pickup. They don't even question it.



-Scott

 

[Duluth Diesel]

D rated is fine for most uses. Pay more attention to a tires load rating in pounds rather than D or E. If you want a E rated tire in larger sizes, check out http://www.nittotire.com/tires_terragrappler.asp

 

[#2_2nd_gen]

Here is what I just found out...

I am just doing the research myself. I ran into the same comment from Tire Rack. The stock tire with its size and 'd' rating is 3415lbs. However, all is not lost... .



I have my eyes on BFG AT KO tires which as pointed out by Riley at the Tire Rack (little plug for him) has a per tire rating higher then the stock tire. So your shop will have no issue.



Oh the stock height is 31. 7"

The proposed height with the BFG above is 33. 4



Now three more questions for anyone that may read this... .

1. How do 295/75/16 wear

2. How are they on the highway

3. Will they fit on stock height 2002 4X?



I will search the forum for these answers.

 

[SRadke]

How they wear and handle on the highway is totally dependant on the brand of tire. All manufaturers use diffrent rubber compounds and process and it depends on your paticular tire. As for whether or not they'll fit I don't know. I think they'll be too wide for the stock rims however.



-Scott

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I have a stock height 2002 2500HD 4x4 and I am running 315/75 16 Cooper Discoverer S/T (D-rated) on my factory rims. See reader's rigs for a picture of my truck with these tires on. The fit fine and I love the way they ride compared to the stock Michelin 265/75 16 M/S tires I had. The 315s rub on the upper track bar at full steering lock, but if I back off an 1/8th turn, there is no rub. 315s are tight, but I see no reason why 295s won't fit. My 315 rubber measures 34. 6 inches tall. No lift, just factory camper and plow prep packages. Hope that helps ya.

 

[prgilbert]

Thanks for the comments. I'll look at the load numbers for the tires I'm considering and if my usual tire guy won't help me out I guess my purchase will be made elsewhere.

 

[bramage]

BFG A/T KO's

#2_2nd_gen.



I feel that I should tell you my experience with these tires before you spend a lot of money on them. I bought these tires when they first came out (295/75-16) for my old truck and they lasted only 40,000 miles (with mileage correction for size). I felt that I should have gotten better life out of a $860 set of tires but maybe I am mistaken.



I know there are a lot of members out there that have good luck with these tires but I did not. These tires SUCK in the rain,are fairly good in the snow when new, marginal in snow through the life of the tire and SUCK in the mud. Maybe if a person just uses their truck for commuting they will hold up. But when I put them to the test of actual use and abuse they failed miserably. I will add that the majority of the miles driven were highway pulling a 9,000lb enclosed work trailer which you could hardly call abuse.



There are a number of tires out there that are better suited for our trucks IMHO. The BFG's do have one thing going for them though, they look AWESOME.



My $. 02



Jr.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

I am running 295/75/16 Nitto Terragrapplers and they rub at full lock ever so slightly. My largest dissappointment was not being able to tow my TT in 6th gear on hot days any longer. These tires make less than a 5% differance in final drive ratio and I did not realize how much that would be. Trying to pull in 6th causes EGT and consequently h2o temps to go up too high. They are great in snow, good in mud, and wonderful on the highway. When I buy my next set of tires, I will probably go back to 265's

 

[Duluth Diesel]

As much as I like the 315 rubber for stance, I too am starting to consider scaling back on the tire size a bit. I would like to go to 19. 5 rims and G rated tires, but we'll see how the $$$ is going when these tire are toast.

 

[willyslover]

In our sue crazzzzzy society I don't blame the tire shops for not wanting the "business" of other than stock size installs...



But the way to beat the issue is to take your tires and rims in OFF the rig and they usually will mount anything you buy... . as they don't see the "violation of stock or optional size " just don't talk about what they are going on.

 

[RKohn]

305/70/16 Nittos...

50k and still going. Woulda done a lot better if I rotated them regularly. Noticed the back ones sure do wear more, especially the right one.

 

[Midnite]

Ah yes... nothing like a shop that knows what the customer needs better than the customer. I understand their motivation for that kind of behavior, but it's still absolutely ridiculous.



Costco (at least up here in Anchorage) has the market cornered in tire sales stupidity--they told me they wouldn't sell me tires for my wife's car in a size other than what came stock on it! I was trying to buy winter tires in 185/70R14, and the stock size was 185/65R14. I got the same story at both Anchorage Costco warehouses. Needless to say I bought my tires somewhere else.



If they want to play stupid games like that, just buy your tires somewhere else.



Of course that said, I do personally prefer E rated tires over D--10 ply vs. 8 ply.



Mike