Tire Size and Load Rating

[Coldfinger]

Ok, I currently have 265/75-16 D rated tires on my GMC 2500.

The load rating is the same as the stock 245 E rated tires.

Do you guys think a 235/85-16 E rated tire will be as stable as my current D rated 265/75. The dia is very slightly larger, at least the BFG All Terrain.

 

[donbrown]

Ok, I currently have 265/75-16 D rated tires on my GMC 2500.

The load rating is the same as the stock 245 E rated tires.

Do you guys think a 235/85-16 E rated tire will be as stable as my current D rated 265/75. The dia is very slightly larger, at least the BFG All Terrain.

What do you mean by stable?

 

[Coldfinger]

Stable meaning rigid, ability to resist side-side movement, something like that. I assume that's part of what an E rated tire does, in addition to the load rating.

Take for example pulling a heavy bumper pull trailer, don't the E rated tires resist side-side movement more and thus reduce any "tail wagging" feel when towing, especially in a crosswind?

Since the 235/85 is taller than the 245/75, I wouldn't expect it to be as "planted" feeling but I'm wondering how it would compare to the 265/75 D rated tire.

Maybe "squirminess" of the tire is another way to describe.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

it will be less, has 8 layers instead of 10, you might feel it, you might not.

 

[rockin rmk]

the 235/85 tire will be better. it is taller but it is narrow and you will get better traction because you will have more weight per square inch of tire.

 

[arcticman31]

It will likely be even more stable with the extra 2 plys. As far as the 2 sizes go your 265's and the 235's are nearly identical in hight (3/10ths of an inch) however the 235 will have a narrower tread width. I have been selling tires for over 20 years and most of my customers prefer the handling when trailering of the 235 over the 265. Also the narrower width will tend to do better in the snow as far as traction.

 

[Coldfinger]

Thanks. Sounds like the 235 E tire will trailer better than the 265 D, etc, so I'll probably end up with the 235.

 

[volcano buster]

Along with the snow comes the slush and deep water pools on the highway. The 235 will cut through both of those noticeably better than the 265.

Double check that your tire chains fit good on whatever you end up with.

 

[Coldfinger]

No tire chains so fitment isn't an issue.

Thanks.

 

[FCR112]

The tire ply rating is a holdover from older times. 6/8/10 ply for C D E isn't really the case anymore for the majority of the tire market.

C, D, and E are a representative catagorization based on load rating by pounds rather than the number of plies.

Look at the actual load rating by pounds on the tire manufacturer's spec chart for the real deal.

Sidewall strength can vary with both load rating and tire design.

Just throwing it out there as the traditional thinking that there are actually 2 more "plies" between D and E's or 4 more plies between C and E's is mostly a thing of the past.

 

[Dogmeat]

*shrug* I just put a set of 285/70/17 D rated tires on my 3500 diesel today ... I have every confidence they'll work great

 

[..SNAKEBIT..]

IMO like said before they no longer count plys to rate tires
can buy a load range G 12ply rated tire with only 1 steel ply
tires rated B, C, D, E etc
I would have to say the wider tire will handle side loads better then the narrow tread tire,
pick-ups have gone to wider tires for what?
I agree the narrow tire will get better fuel mileage, cut thru the snow better etc.
BUT the wider tire will carry the trailer better

selling tires and trailers from 1980

 

[Coldfinger]

Bigger, wider tires look great.

What I bought was 235/85-16 E rated Wrangler Silent Armor. They are a smidge taller than a 265/75 and I figure they will haul/tow just as well as the tires I took off which were 265/75-16 D rated.

I was a little dissapointed they didn't offer the raised white letters in that size but they were around $100 less for a set of 4. There was also $160 rebate for buying set of 4 so final price including alignment will be $725 once I receive the rebate.

The rebate runs thru December if I remember correctly and $80 of it from using the Goodyear credit card.