Need your understanding on type of tires for heavy duty truck. I know that we need to have E rate tires for our truck, but is it necessary the tires need to be 10 plys combine with the E rated? There are E rated tires that only have 4 plys, is this acceptable to use?

Thanks,

 

Today's load range/ply ratings do not count the actual number of body ply layers used to make up the tire's internal structure, but indicate an equivalent strength compared to early bias ply tires. Most radial passenger tires have one or two body plies, and light truck tires, even those with heavy-duty ratings (10-, 12- or 14-ply rated), actually have only two or three fabric plies, or one steel body ply.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=55

 

I haven't read the tiretech page yet. But in your opinion; as long as I get the E rated tires, I am okay?

Thanks,

 

I think so. Of course it depends on how your truck/trailer is set up, but an E rated tire should be more than adequate. For example I'm currently running the Goodyear Wrangler AT/S tires (LT275/65 R 20), Load range E, rated at 3750lbs at 80psi. So, 7,500lbs max on the rear tires (single rear wheel truck), and my rear axle is rated at 6,100lbs. I'll overload the truck before I overload the tires.

 

Plys are an old rating with out any industry standard, The new SAE rating system is load range, any "e" rated tire will be OK for the factory rating of your truck.

 

Go to your tire shop and stand a couple different brands of E rated tires side by side. Then sit on each one in turn. They may all be E rated tires, but there is a big difference in sidewall rigidity between brands. This is important if you are going to haul or tow heavy loads.