Tire load range
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Tire load range
I am a new to me super duty owner. This is my first f250. I just bought new tires and was sold BFG AT 285/70/17 load range D. I was told by my mechanic that these tires are not correct for my truck and I need E range tires. I tow an 18 ft Lund boat in the summer. Shoud I be concerned? do I need to replace these tires?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 850
Likes: 3
From: West Granby, CT.
Welcome to the site. This topic was just debated not to long ago. Technically you should have load range "E". I have always gone with load range "D" due to the larger selection of tires. I only load my truck to the max in the winter during snow storms with my sander so I am never driving more than 35mph. I would never recommend load range "D" and pull a trailer on the highway. So you will get a mixture of differences of opinion but it boils down to what you are going to do with your truck. Back and forth to work and a pleasure truck you will be fine. Carry a load or pulling a trailer on a regular basis you should have "E". How far do you tow a boat?? On the highway or backroads??
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
If you are comfortable that the Load you are putting on the tire is at or below its load index for that specific tire. The E load range is applied for the capabilities of the truck. If by using the D load tire you go above the rating it can become a safety concern.
Now when reviewing tire specifications say for example BFG's and the different sizes, you may and will come across different load range's but they have the same "advertised" load weights and speed ratings. Compare the "Stock" specifications for the truck and select the tire that will again meet your load requirements.
Some Tire shops won't install the "D" loads on a truck requiring "E's" as this can become a possible liability on their part.
You will find many SD's that run the "D" aftermarket.
Now when reviewing tire specifications say for example BFG's and the different sizes, you may and will come across different load range's but they have the same "advertised" load weights and speed ratings. Compare the "Stock" specifications for the truck and select the tire that will again meet your load requirements.
Some Tire shops won't install the "D" loads on a truck requiring "E's" as this can become a possible liability on their part.
You will find many SD's that run the "D" aftermarket.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,370
Likes: 1,858
From: Frederick, MD
Also to add to the above, check the tire itself. It should indicate the load rating on the tire. I once had a set of d rated tires, but they were rating to carry as much as a e-rated tire. I think that was due to the makeup of the tire itself.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 850
Likes: 3
From: West Granby, CT.
Personally If that is all you do I would not loose sleep over it. If you loaded the truck and or pulled a 30' trailer then I would be more concerned. Many folks here will say they never use anything but "E" for strenght as well as safety. 2800lbs is nothing for a SD or "D" range tires. What is the load range on your trailer tires just for curiosity?? I had the exact same tires you just bought on my 06 and only got 25,000 out of them.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
Personally If that is all you do I would not loose sleep over it. If you loaded the truck and or pulled a 30' trailer then I would be more concerned. Many folks here will say they never use anything but "E" for strenght as well as safety. 2800lbs is nothing for a SD or "D" range tires. What is the load range on your trailer tires just for curiosity?? I had the exact same tires you just bought on my 06 and only got 25,000 out of them.
Where I work our F350 PSD was outfitted with load range D tires and we found that not only does it influence GVWR and the like, but also drasticly influences how the truck rides and handles. It ate those tires in about 20,000 miles. I am sure a lot more than load rating is taken into account when those trucks are designed. That may be why you only got 25k out of yours.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
How many miles do you have on the tires? You may be able to go back to the shop that sold them to you and raise some hell. You might get somewhere that way.
Or, you could stick with the D's. Look at the weight rating on them, multiply it by 2 and that's how much weight you can have on the rear axle. Find a scale, hook up the boat and weigh it. If you're well under the allowable weight of the tire, you are probably OK.
Weigh the front axle also. You don't say what engine you have, the 6.0L is pretty heavy all by itself. I don't know what the V10 weighs.
Or, you could stick with the D's. Look at the weight rating on them, multiply it by 2 and that's how much weight you can have on the rear axle. Find a scale, hook up the boat and weigh it. If you're well under the allowable weight of the tire, you are probably OK.
Weigh the front axle also. You don't say what engine you have, the 6.0L is pretty heavy all by itself. I don't know what the V10 weighs.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,026
Likes: 0
From: Renton, WA
There is no D= this many pounds or E=this many pounds. Look at the actual weight rating in pounds, it's on the tire. Then look at the rear axle weight rating, it should be on your door jamb. Is the tire rating x 2 greater then or equal to the axle rating. If not the tires load rating is too low for the truck.
That said it doesn't sound like there too low for your load. But use this logic to get them to take them back. If they won't I wouldn't sweat it.
That said it doesn't sound like there too low for your load. But use this logic to get them to take them back. If they won't I wouldn't sweat it.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
I ran D'son my last truck, BFG didnt make E's in the size I had.
your tires are more than adequete, Their weight rating 3195 lbs is the SAME rating that the "e"'s have. That said, I'd say your mechanic is ignorant.
see here
BFGoodrich Tires | All-Terrain T/A® KO | Tire Sizes & Specs
your tires are more than adequete, Their weight rating 3195 lbs is the SAME rating that the "e"'s have. That said, I'd say your mechanic is ignorant.
see here
BFGoodrich Tires | All-Terrain T/A® KO | Tire Sizes & Specs
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,026
Likes: 0
From: Renton, WA
Like I said before D and E don't really mean anything if they can get away with saying that. But load ratings very much matter. What a BS thing to do if they say a 3195lbs rating is an E. That is way to low to call an E.