Tires and Load Ranges

maxacceleration · 02-22-2012, 11:52 AM

Hello all.
I am due to replace my tires for this years travels. I have 30K on my tires and they are below 50%.
My Nitto Terra Grapplers have served me well. Killer snow tires (on pavement snow/ice conditions).
285/70-17 is the size I will continue to use.
These tires are E rated as we all feel this is an appropriate rating for our heavy vans.

I am looking at alternative tread designs other than the Terra Grappler. More off road/mudder style tread (I will be in Colorado this summer).
Many I am looking at only come in the D rating. Rated at 3195 lbs per tire. I have even seen an E rated tire speced at 3195. My Terra Grapplers are rated at 3750 lbs per tire.
Nitto Trail Grapplers, E rated carry a 3195/2910 (?) weight limit.
Hmmm...
Goodyear Dura Trac, Mickey Thomson MTZ or Nitto Trail Grapplers are current choices among others.

My question is the fairly standard D rating of 3195 lbs per tire enough?
That would come to a total weight of 12,000 lbs plus for the vehicle on the D rating.
6000 per axle seems enough to me although the margin is lower than an E rated tire.

One difference of D to E rating is usually D rated tires accept up to 50-65 psi while E rated tires accept to 80 psi.

My QuadVan and fairly basic interior weighs in light compared to SMB's.
I do not overload factory weight ratings in vehicle or combined vehicle/trailer limits...

Thoughts on this?
Is the D rating giving enough margin?
Thanks.

Ford_6L_E350 · 02-22-2012, 12:19 PM

Have you weighed your van to find out what the actual weights (f/r, r/l) are?

Then add 20% to the right side for roads with high crowns.

Now, does the 3195# work for you?

Mike

bratworst · 02-22-2012, 12:24 PM

The Toyo M/T LT295/70R17 128P E/10 (33X11.50R17) is a 33.5" tire with a capacity of 3970 pounds.

JoeH · 02-22-2012, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxacceleration

Is the D rating giving enough margin?

Lots of good info regarding tire pressure and load index in these threads. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1582
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/viewto ... =39&t=3496

**BroncoHauler** · 02-22-2012, 01:00 PM

IMO, a less quantifiable benefit of E load rated tires is that they generally have more sidewall stiffness, which helps control vehicle body roll.

Herb

Viejo · 02-22-2012, 04:13 PM

If you do much off pavement driving, you'll also want an E rated tire for the extra puncture protection.

**daveb** · 02-22-2012, 10:37 PM

I thought your van was on the light side? Hell I ran D's since new for over 30K and those were BFG's with no problems. Not saying that was wise; only they worked. E's will be a bit stiffer, but I like the extra sidewall protection E's offer.

Maybe something to sift through here:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4x4 TIRE CHOICE
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6128

The best street / all around tire to drive on pavement, gravel, dirt, snow and ice.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5369

TreadWright Tires
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5542

Toyo Open Country Backorder- Options??
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5379

Michelin LTX A/T or the newer A/T2 ?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5255

Toyo Open Country Mud Terrain Review
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4258

Toyo Open Country M/T
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3394

BFG Tread Separation
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1107

Advice On Replacement Tires BFG AT T/A KO (315/70/R17D)
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5475

I asked Quigley about the largest tire/rim combo
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5799

Anyone running Firestone Destination M/T's?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5625

Any opinion on winter tires?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5276

It's time to replace the tires that came on my 07 Quigley 4x4 van. What Size?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1549

Who is running 37s?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5005

Nitto Trail Grappler
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4297

Suggestions for tire size for 17" rim in new 2010 EB 4WD
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4948

Experience going from 33" to 35" tires
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4893

Toyo PSI
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4697

Quigley 4x4 tire size
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4227

Open Country A/T from Toyo?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3858

BFG KM2 Mud terrain 255/85 16 load range E review
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3126

E-350 4x4 BFG Tire Pressure education
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1582

Calculating height vs. tire size.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3728

4x4 Tires for all seasons
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2823

What is your tire size without fender flares
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3423

35's vs 33's
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3298

Tires too Big for Aluminess
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2377

4x4 in the snow with radial tires
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2446

New Goodyear tires with kevlar
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2525

BFG Tire Value?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2527

Another BFG gone bad!
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2299

Toyo Tire Upgrade-4:10 gears OK?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1825

Nitto Terra Grappler tires: 285/75/16
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1580

Toyo Tires / Noise Factor
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1431

Tire Pressure - Highway
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1398

Toyo Tires and Warranty
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1329

Tire load capacity
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=316

BFG Sidewall Issues
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=942

One More Tire Thread -- Toyo M/T Specific
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1004

BFG AT T/A 285/70/17 on a 07 Quigley
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=964

285/75 16's or 305/70 16's - what should I get??
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=705

Largest tire size on Quigley conversion? MT tire thoughts?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=695

maxacceleration · 02-22-2012, 11:13 PM

Okay, okay!

Carl · 02-23-2012, 05:30 AM

I have found the Nitto Terra Grapplers to be great on the road and less than ideal in any mud.
I would agree with most that you should run an E rated tire.

sdwindansea · 02-24-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl

I have found the Nitto Terra Grapplers to be great on the road and less than ideal in any mud.
I would agree with most that you should run an E rated tire.

I completely agree with Carl. I've been running Nitto Terra Grapplers (285/75/16, E) for about 3.5 years and 38k miles. It is time to replace them. Not sure what I will be getting yet either.