I'm going on a 4,000 mile road trip and would really like new tires before I leave. The tires that came on my Excursion are BFG All Terrains D rated and are probably 7 years old with alot of dryrot. The tread is ok for the trip but I'm concerned about the dryrot and don't want a blow out.

Here's my problem, I need 315/75/16's as my Excursion has a 4" lift. I can't find a good looking E tire in that size. Now let me explain 'good looking'. I know tires are all about function but I want a tire tread that looks like it belongs on a lifted Ford and not a minivan or Semi.
There are a couple decent looking tires, Goodyear Wranger Duratrac was one, but it's reviews show soft sidewalls with alot of flex. There are alot more choices in a D rating.

Here's how my brain works, tell me if it needs a tune up. For example, The BFG AT D tire is rated at 3195lbs each. An E rated tire is rated at 3860lbs each. The X is 8Klbs and the rear has to be less than half the total weight right? Maybe 2500-3000lbs, seems like most of the weight is up front. So two D tires are good for 6400lbs on the rear axle. If the rear of the X is even 4000lbs, I still have 2400lbs for the tounge weight, 500lbs, and gear. The most I tow now is a 4Runner on a light trailer. Down the road we may pick up a travel trailer but obviously not a 5th wheel. I don't want a mud tire but a nice all terrain would work.

The other thing I noticed was max air pressure. The D is 50psi and the E is 65psi.

Am I thinking right? I put this on a couple other boards because I'm leaving next Friday for my trip. Thanks for any help.

 

You do not need E rated tires.. But if you do wish to keep with the E's, look into the Toyo MT's, or even ATs.. Good Luck

 

Yeah, you can go with D rated. I wouldn't go any lower than that, though. My GoodYear Silent Armors are rated for 80psi. My wife's D's (the tires, knuckle-heads!! ) are 65psi, IIRC.

 

I tow a decent amount (7700lb travel trailer, steel 2 horse slant with 2X1100+ lb quarter horses) and I have used nothing but D rated tires the whole time, 1st set was 305's and the second ones are 315's. I towed the TT 500+ miles one way down to Tennessee for RRE and it was 95+ degrees outside. No issues at all.

 

 

Flame suit on: My truck came with E's and that all that going on it, "Life Is Fragile, Handle With Care"

 

. Tell that to the camper.

 

D's will work fine, the smaller D rated tires like a 285/75/16 are 65 psi max but the larger diameter tire like the 315's he wants are rated at 50, but that is a good bit of air considering the volume. and i BELIEVE dont quote me on this but a 315/75/16 E range is not going to be 80 psi max but it will be 65 psi.

 

Makes sense, Jake. I have stock-sized tires on mine...

 

I would have to agree.. I just put new "e" 's on a couple months ago.

Camper insurance/Truck insurance/"E" is Tire insurance

 

I put new Yokohama's on in December 07, D rated 265-75-16 (Read "stock replacement". That was before I found this site. A lot of folks swear by the "E", but I didn't want the stiffer ride on the Excursion. I have 30,000+ on them, and no troubles. Tow my trailer a few hundred miles a few times a year, went for a 5300 mile road trip last year, and no problems at all. America's Tires (also dba Discount Tires) rotates them every 5,000 mi for free, and I have the hazard certs. Haven't needed it yet on these, but used it often on the F-150.

 

I've also been looking at tires lately and saw a few 'E' and 'D' tires I liked. Now my question is why were the 'D' tires only rated 100 pounds less per tire then the 'E' tires? Does it all have to do with tire pressure, and plys?

 

Yes, and heat tolerance. I know everyone has personal preference on that, but if you tow or haul overkill is a good thing. No sense in running at the limit.

 

Jeremy made a good point, my old 265 10 ply BS revos at 80 PSI's versus my now 8 ply Yoko Geolanders ATS's rated at 65 PSI's, between the two only a hundred pound difference between the two but I do miss the stiffness of the E rated tire. E rated and hopefully bigger on a tire size next for me.

 

I think the excursion is a very heavy truck and very easy to load it up heavy. Throw 6 people in it and load up a weekend of supplies a trailer attached and your very close to the capacity of the tire. I'd rather not need the extra capacity than stuck on the side of the road. I found a set of used 18" tires at my buddies shop but they are D and I didn't feel like testing it out on my truck.