Importance of Load Range E

[Pioneer]

I have a K2500 suburban that I use for hauling my boat (~7500lb gross for boat trailer and gear).

 

The truck is rated for a 10k tow and currently has 245/75/R16 116R Load Range E Michelin LTXs.

 

How important is it that I use 10ply load range E tires?

 

Can I use lower ply tires w/close max load ratings (LTXs are 3045lb @ 80 psi) and still tow my rig safely?

 

BTW - I'm looking to upsize to 265s to fill the fenders a bit.

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

I've got load range "D"s on my 2500HD they're a 265/75/16. I went with the "D"s because they have a load rating of 3K lbs ea. If I overload the tires,I will have overloaded the rear axle as well. The difference wasn't a big deal to me.

 

The "D"s handle the 7-8000 lbs I tow just fine,I've never wished I had the extra 84 lbs of capacity the "E" would give me.

[Pioneer]

Yeah. Same capacity at lower pressure might mellow out the ride a bit too.

 

It makes me wonder why all the plys and psi's are necessary.

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

I never run 65PSI unless I'm towing my travel trailer. If I'm running empty,I'll usually run about 45-50PSI. The ride is better there and the tires wear better there as well.

[Peter_C]

I have an 01 K2500 Burb also. My last Burb, although a few years older, I put BFG A/T KO's 265/75/16's and hated them. They wore on the outside no matter how much tire pressure I put in them. I tow a 4K boat and found on windy roads that the tires rolled. The crappy tires that came with the truck handled better on the street. This time around when I upgraded from the factory 245 Firestones I search out E load range tires, and wound up with 265 Revo's. So far I am very happy with them, but the point I am trying to make is that handling will be compromised with a D load range tire on an already heavy truck. It is not about the total load capacity but the sidewall stiffness to stop the tire from rolling under. Find an RV website and read up on what they have to say about load ranges and sizes.

 

Edit: if you change the tire size you should have the PCM reprogramed to the tire size, the ABS being a big reason. The dealer can do this, or you can go with a tuning company that will give you the power the motor should be making. Research Westers and Nelsons.

[Shaners]

So far I am very happy with them, but the point I am trying to make is that handling will be compromised with a D load range tire on an already heavy truck. It is not about the total load capacity but the sidewall stiffness to stop the tire from rolling under.

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Exactly!!!

[93Stocker]

If you're dealing with a knowledgeable tire dealer, your vehicle's original equipment specifications for tires will likely determine what tires he can/will sell you. Due to potential legal liabilities (safety), they probably won't sell you tires that have a Load Index and/or Speed Rating that is lower than your OE tires specification (on the door sticker). In a Load Range D tire, you would have to go up to an LT285/75R16 to meet or exceed the Load Index of a Load Range E LT245/75R16. You might also want to verify your rim width is in the recommended range for wider tires.