Tire Ply
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 10
From: Arizona
Tire ply's are related to load rating.
C = 6-ply
D = 8-ply
E = 10-ply
If you go from an E rated tire to a D rated tire, the Max load rating of the D rated tire is less and so you cannot load your truck to max GVWR or GAWR.
If you look on the sticker on the drivers b-pillar it will tell you the size and load rating of the OEM tires.
The load rating of the tire will have no effect on fuel mileage.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...currentpage=38
C = 6-ply
D = 8-ply
E = 10-ply
If you go from an E rated tire to a D rated tire, the Max load rating of the D rated tire is less and so you cannot load your truck to max GVWR or GAWR.
If you look on the sticker on the drivers b-pillar it will tell you the size and load rating of the OEM tires.
The load rating of the tire will have no effect on fuel mileage.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...currentpage=38
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB.
I went to D range instead of staying with E range tires on my 250. I run them at 65 psi and have found the ride much easier on the kidneys. I'm only giving up 125 lbs per tire load handling, so on a 250 vs a 350 I don't think that's much of a difference. I had the Toyo's before, now Mickey Thompson ATZ's. I've had them on for a couple of months now and I've been real impressed with the ride and quiet for an AT tire. I tow an 8500 lb trailer and the they handle the load just fine. My opinion is go for the 8 ply for your 250 if you want to soften the ride up a bit. Some would say go with the 10 ply and run them a lower pressure, but my local tire shop tells me the would wear right over time. Just my two cents.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 10
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by conger
I went to D range instead of staying with E range tires on my 250. I run them at 65 psi and have found the ride much easier on the kidneys. I'm only giving up 125 lbs per tire load handling, so on a 250 vs a 350 I don't think that's much of a difference. I had the Toyo's before, now Mickey Thompson ATZ's. I've had them on for a couple of months now and I've been real impressed with the ride and quiet for an AT tire. I tow an 8500 lb trailer and the they handle the load just fine. My opinion is go for the 8 ply for your 250 if you want to soften the ride up a bit. Some would say go with the 10 ply and run them a lower pressure, but my local tire shop tells me the would wear right over time. Just my two cents.
TT tongue weight 10-15% of Gross trailer weight.
1667-2500lb reduction of availble trailer weight by reducing tire load rating by 125lbs per tire.
5th/Goosneck pin weight 15-25% of Gross trailer weight.
1000-1667 reduction fo available trailer weight by reducing tire load rating by 125lbs per tire.
If you do not tow or carry heavy loads then reducing your tires load rating is not a problem, however if you tow or carry heavy loads you need to run tires with the minimum factory load rating.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 46
From: Kemmerer, Wyoming
Originally Posted by bowhunter1331
Thanks... I just drive it... don't tow anything to speek of...\
I got D range on my truck... hell it's better than the C's I had on my F-150!
Trending Topics
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Everything in the truck depends on the tires. Why would you compromise your safety by going cheap? I'll find somewhere else to cut corners if I have to, but when it comes to brakes and tires I won't sacrifice safety at all.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
Dont get caught up in plys. Make your descision upon load range.
Here are my tires.
Toyo Open Country A/T
285-65-18
Load Range E
Rated for 3640 lbs @ 80 PSI
The kicker is it is a 8 ply tire.
TREAD is 2 steel, 2 polyester, 2 nylon
SIDEWALL is 2 polyester.
Here are my tires.
Toyo Open Country A/T
285-65-18
Load Range E
Rated for 3640 lbs @ 80 PSI
The kicker is it is a 8 ply tire.
TREAD is 2 steel, 2 polyester, 2 nylon
SIDEWALL is 2 polyester.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 10
From: Arizona
Originally Posted by boxcar1974
Dont get caught up in plys. Make your descision upon load range.
Here are my tires.
Toyo Open Country A/T
285-65-18
Load Range E
Rated for 3640 lbs @ 80 PSI
The kicker is it is a 8 ply tire.
TREAD is 2 steel, 2 polyester, 2 nylon
SIDEWALL is 2 polyester.
Here are my tires.
Toyo Open Country A/T
285-65-18
Load Range E
Rated for 3640 lbs @ 80 PSI
The kicker is it is a 8 ply tire.
TREAD is 2 steel, 2 polyester, 2 nylon
SIDEWALL is 2 polyester.
Today's load range/ply ratings do not count the actual number of body ply layers found inside the tire, but indicate an equivalent strength based on 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 body plies, or one steel ply.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...currentpage=38
Last edited by blackhat620; Oct 30, 2007 at 04:30 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB.
Originally Posted by blackhat620
Just and FYI, by reducing the tire load by 125lb per tire, you have reduced your axle capacity by 250lb. This translates to a reduced trailer load of 1000-2500lbs.
TT tongue weight 10-15% of Gross trailer weight.
1667-2500lb reduction of availble trailer weight by reducing tire load rating by 125lbs per tire.
5th/Goosneck pin weight 15-25% of Gross trailer weight.
1000-1667 reduction fo available trailer weight by reducing tire load rating by 125lbs per tire.
If you do not tow or carry heavy loads then reducing your tires load rating is not a problem, however if you tow or carry heavy loads you need to run tires with the minimum factory load rating.
TT tongue weight 10-15% of Gross trailer weight.
1667-2500lb reduction of availble trailer weight by reducing tire load rating by 125lbs per tire.
5th/Goosneck pin weight 15-25% of Gross trailer weight.
1000-1667 reduction fo available trailer weight by reducing tire load rating by 125lbs per tire.
If you do not tow or carry heavy loads then reducing your tires load rating is not a problem, however if you tow or carry heavy loads you need to run tires with the minimum factory load rating.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
I won't drop down to a D rating with an F-250.
I look at it this way. The extra load carrying capacity of the E tires is like a safety net. The load and dynamic forces on the tires are always thought of as static (3305 pounds per tire at 60 PSI) but are never static when the truck is moving. Road irregularities, bumps, pot holes and road debris will cause the loading of the tires to spike. Having the E tires means I have that extra margin before the forces on the tire might cause a tire failure. I don't want a tire failure when I am towing or hauling. I want to avoid that at all cost!
I look at it this way. The extra load carrying capacity of the E tires is like a safety net. The load and dynamic forces on the tires are always thought of as static (3305 pounds per tire at 60 PSI) but are never static when the truck is moving. Road irregularities, bumps, pot holes and road debris will cause the loading of the tires to spike. Having the E tires means I have that extra margin before the forces on the tire might cause a tire failure. I don't want a tire failure when I am towing or hauling. I want to avoid that at all cost!
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Originally Posted by conger
I'm not saying this works for everyone. I don't tow a gooseneck or a 5th wheel. My truck is a 250 not a 350 so I'm not loading anywhere near the maximum capacity of my tires. When I tow, I'm towing conventional trailers. My tires are rated at 3305 lbs per tire so I don't think I've got any worries. It still exceeds the truck's maximum weight rating. Typically I'm towing in the 8000 - 10000 lb range, I never max the truck out anyway or I would have bought a 350. But I agree that not everyone should reduce their tire rating. You have to be aware of what your doing to the trucks load handling capacity. I'd never have gone to the "D" rating if I had bought a 350.
But I over do everything, so the wife says.