Tubeless I think
AT Tyres
- Thread starter caorach
- Start date
carbon
Well-Known Member
No, I’m saying is with your truck’s weight pick a load rating no higher than C unless you are dealing with sharp rocks. That’s what I have on my 4750 lbs 4runner, a LT265/70R17/C. They make an E in that size as well, so be careful.
Load rating is basically the number of plys in the tire, and I believe it’s an older way to notate a tire. More plys equals a stiffer tire. I think nowadays the letter does not necessarily mean the number of plys, but indicates the equivalent number of plys. And look at my latest reply to caorach, as it seems Brit tires are notated slightly different.
Also, if you increase the tire size from stock, it will probably also impact handling even if you pick the correct load rating (think of load rating in this context as stiffness/puncture resistance). Why? Because bigger tires are heavier (more rotating mass = slower go/stop, heavier makes suspension work harder).
It’s about trade offs. Taller tires will give you more ground clearance, wider tires float over sand better, etc. One might have to upgrade suspension components to compensate.
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Scandially
Well-Known Member
I just fit them and sell them at 50% worn for 50% of cost new. That way im always on good rubber.
Khumos go all wonky at 50%.
Khumos go all wonky at 50%.
Great. Thanks.
As you say, the notation seems different here - I can’t see E or C anywhere. What I can find are a series of additional numbers - so the Bridgestone tyres I currently have are 275/65R17 112S and from what I can see online, the notation is broadly similar for the KO3s out there. Also I can’t see any LT or P designation on any tyres here.
load rating of 112 points towards it being a C rated tyre - the LT (E rated) tyres generally have a load rating of 118-121 from what I can see.
carbon
Well-Known Member
LT tires come in a variety of load ratings. On BFG’s site you can sort the size table (near the bottom) by rim size and, for example, see 17” rim tires in C, D, and E load ratings. It’s the letter after the last / (slash).
Mongo, if you point me to an online page listing the tires you want, perhaps I can help.
carbon
Well-Known Member
Totally. What I was getting at is it seemed you were saying all LT tires are E rated, that’s all. I am sorry if I misread.
You correctly point out there is some sort of relationship between load rating (C, D, E, plys in the tire [actual or equivalent]/how tough the tire is/how stiff the tire is) and the load index (121/118, 112/109, weight each tire can handle [4x to get per non-dually truck], etc).
Looking at the load index number is part of how I guessed caorach’s tire was an E. I may not have mentioned that; we’re pretty deep into the weeds as is! Lol
Here’s a site that explains tire load rating vs load index for anyone that is curious:
Understanding Tires Load Index VS Load Range
Ever wonder the difference between Load Index and Load Range? Well, come jump on in to get the tell, tell.
www.treadwright.com
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carbon
Well-Known Member
I agree wholeheartedly! That’s what started me down this path. Everything seems so simple until you start looking deeper at it. My son is still astounded and irritated that there’s a million types of screws!
carbon
Well-Known Member
Yes. It’s some sort of industrial standard, at least in the western world.
Let’s not start on screws and bolts… I may take (further) to drink
carbon
Well-Known Member
HOWEVER, be aware that the “computed” height of a tire will undoubtedly be different than the tire’s inflated and installed height (on your truck), and different manufacturer’s identically indicated tires will also undoubtedly be slightly different heights (both before installation and after). I literally just found that out a few weeks ago. Rude!
For example, my tires are LT265/70/R17/C. They compute out to 31.6” here. BFG says it’s 31.7”. At about 34psi, the installed tire (with 57k miles on it) directly measure out to 30.25”. I’ve corroborated this with many other internet user’s measurements on this very same notated tire, basically regardless of mileage. Unless you run the things bald!
BFG tires are known to run small, height-wise. This can matter if you upsize your tire (ignore it if you’re running stock size). One tire from manufacturer X may rub, while manufacturer Y’s identically notated tire will not.
In any case, refer to your tires’ computed height when on Internet forums. That’s what everyone does. I’d say, “I have 31.6” high tires.” Otherwise you’ll confuse everyone.
Then be aware different tires have different tread depths too! Over here, indicated in 32nds of an inch (BFG seems to forget the decimal or something…on my spec page the tread depth is listed as 151! I think it’s 15.1/32” as similar tires by other manuf list their AT tires as 15/32”).
This can matter when comparing the same type of tires. For example, if one AT tire has more tread depth than another AT. Deeper tread probably means more traction in dirt, mud, and deep snow. Might be louder on the road. Might not be quite as good on packed snow roads (ironically, one wants snow to pack in the tire’s voids, as snow-on-snow friction is greater than rubber-on-snow’s).
And then the best AT’s have a snow rating, called 3PMSF over here. Something about an independent test, usually indicates silica is in the rubber, blah blah blah blah…
Sorry folks!
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carbon
Well-Known Member
Sorry? Is this joke about golf?
carbon
Well-Known Member
Mike, I see you are from Aberdeenshire. I am close to South Dakota, which has a town named Aberdeen! Crazy Scots must’ve came across the pond to settle that godforsaken place. Instead of traveling to the balmy west coast, they decided to stop at the place with almost the worst weather in the nation.
What place has the worst weather in the US? In my view, Fargo and Grand Forks, both of North Dakota. They are colder than Aberdeen, but the wind, fellows, the w i n d!
Storm of 1966, March 2-5 between Fargo and Grand Forks, ND. That’s a telephone pole on some of the flattest land you’ll ever see. “When combined with winds up to 70-miles-per-hour, gusting at time to 100-miles-per-hour, drifts were 30-40 feet high in some locations.”
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carbon
Well-Known Member
Ohhh you meant the left or right side of the car. I’m a dunce!
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Not at all, I typed it in a rush and it was ambiguous. In the UK it appears most badged LT are st the 10ply end. Not sure why, very rare to get a light construction LT tyre sold over here.
Of note, from what I had found the most aggressive tyre you can get in the UK but stick to a 4 ply / 112 load rating is the Goodyear duratrac. Goodyear G015 also come in a 112 but much less aggressive.
Mike
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