Katmandu

I've been out shopping for tires and a few shops are INSISTING that OUR 2500 Rams w/Cummins engines REQUIRE at least LOAD RANGE E tires.

My 2500 currently has 265/75-16s w/Load Range E tires. I want to Upsize to 285/75s or maybe 305/70s.

They say the other Load Ranges (C,D) will physically fit with no problems, but they do NOT have enough sidewall stiffness to meet the weight of our trucks.

They also say going down to Load Range D tires will result in SIGNIFICANT DECREASE in tread life (Especially on the front axle).

They say the tires need to have a load rating of 3350lbs/pair per axle.

What is your experience with this ??

.

2500Ram

OMG a tire dealer that actually knows what their talking about. Keep listening to them they know what their talking about. I had the misfortune of getting some D range tires and after 50 miles of driving on what felt like marshmallows I took them back for E range tires. No problems since and yes the sidewall ply's make all the difference.

VACHZHD

I've had good luck with BF Goodrich T/A KOs. I put 285/75/16 load range D on as my first replacement set of tires. They are rated at 3305@65psi (compare that to the 265/75/16 load range E's rated at 3415@80psi.) Not much difference. Got right around 60k miles on that set. Replaced them with another set of the same thing and currently have 54k on them - when I replace them this summer I'll probably go with the 285/75/R16 load range E's because we've started towing more and some additional sidewall stiffness would be good. They are rated at 3750@80psi. I've had good experience with tread wear, I hope the E's wear as well as the D's have for me. Here's a link to the Goodrich T/A KO info:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/asset...rain_ta_kd.pdf

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Katmandu

Yup. That's what they said about the "D" Load Range tires.

They were willing to sell me anything I wanted, but for ONCE I actually LISTENED!

I found a deal on a set of 305/70-16 Firestone Destination A/Ts (#2 Rated tire on Tirerack.com ) for $618.xx out the door. Now I need to decide if I want to part with the Benjamins.

Hillcountry

When I replaced the factory 265's on my truck (Load range E) with Off-road 285's (load range D) I experienced no problem at all. I went with a 3-ply sidewall tire and I tow and everything. I rotate them at regular intervals (approx 10,000 mi.-or so) and so far they have lasted 50,000 miles and have plenty of tread in them. I've heard people say the CTD 4x4 chews through tires but so far that has not been my experience.


Be careful though!!! I have had the experience at some tire places where they only air up a LT tire to 35 Psi...even if it is supposed to be 65 or higher...sometimes the guys just do what they are used to with car tires. Make sure when you get them mounted that they have the right pressure.

Anyway-good luck!

dansdodgediesel

I"m running 265/75/16 BF Goodrich T/A KOs. 10,000 mile's. Don't see how there going to make 40,000 let alone 50,000. I do not drive the truck hard, I almost never see's 2100 rpms.

Dan

Katmandu

What PSI have you been running in yours ?

singleturnout

bf goodrich commercial tires are the way to go 38,000 on them and good as new only rotated them once oops there load range E