Michelin tire blow out!!
On a recent trip to the Western end of the Florida panhandle, we had a blowout on the right rear inside tire. Luckily it was on a straight section of Interstate Hwy with very wide and flat shoulders a...
Forum Discussion
You are course aware that for "LT" tires there is simple chart that equates each Load Range letter with a "ply rating". Load Range E having a ply rating of 10 and Load Range G having a ply rating of 14.
Of course number of plies no longer means physical construction layers today, but I expect that number of plies years ago probably had some connection to physical layers in the tire's construction - and probably increased number of physical layers (years ago) meant indirectly a "more rugged" tire by nature .... along with achieving an increase in burst pressure so more load could be carried. Hence, even today a higher "ply rating" probably still gets one a more rugged tire.
Here's a clip from an exploring link where tires of a specific ply are recommended for the road involved - the implication being that a rugged tire is what's advised:
"In 1862 and 1863 when the first major discoveries of gold occurred in future southwest Montana, the area on the east slope of the Bitterroot range of the Rocky Mountains belonged to Idaho Territory. This region, known then as “East Idaho,” was governed from Lewiston, near the present Idaho-Washington border, more than 400 miles away. Between, the Bitterroots, an area of 4,868 sq. mi., rise from 2286’ along the Selway river to 10,157’Trapper Peak. The primary route across the mountains connecting East Idaho with Lewiston followed the Nez Perce? trail. Beginning in October, the 6,859’ Nez Perce? pass is blocked by 20-30’ of snow. This road still exists, as a primitive Forest Service road suitable for 4-wheel drive only with 10-ply tires recommended. (Modern highway US 12 through the Bitterroots follows the Clearwater river.)"
I've seen a photo of a sign (but couldn't locate it again for this post) alongside a road to a remote campsite where tires of at least 10-ply were recommended. I think the general public thinks that higher ply rating gets you a tougher tire.
Perhaps some links are now in order as to what the off-road truck crowd thinks more tire plies buys them in increased ruggedness?
Of course number of plies no longer means physical construction layers today, but I expect that number of plies years ago probably had some connection to physical layers in the tire's construction - and probably increased number of physical layers (years ago) meant indirectly a "more rugged" tire by nature .... along with achieving an increase in burst pressure so more load could be carried. Hence, even today a higher "ply rating" probably still gets one a more rugged tire.
Here's a clip from an exploring link where tires of a specific ply are recommended for the road involved - the implication being that a rugged tire is what's advised:
"In 1862 and 1863 when the first major discoveries of gold occurred in future southwest Montana, the area on the east slope of the Bitterroot range of the Rocky Mountains belonged to Idaho Territory. This region, known then as “East Idaho,” was governed from Lewiston, near the present Idaho-Washington border, more than 400 miles away. Between, the Bitterroots, an area of 4,868 sq. mi., rise from 2286’ along the Selway river to 10,157’Trapper Peak. The primary route across the mountains connecting East Idaho with Lewiston followed the Nez Perce? trail. Beginning in October, the 6,859’ Nez Perce? pass is blocked by 20-30’ of snow. This road still exists, as a primitive Forest Service road suitable for 4-wheel drive only with 10-ply tires recommended. (Modern highway US 12 through the Bitterroots follows the Clearwater river.)"
I've seen a photo of a sign (but couldn't locate it again for this post) alongside a road to a remote campsite where tires of at least 10-ply were recommended. I think the general public thinks that higher ply rating gets you a tougher tire.
Perhaps some links are now in order as to what the off-road truck crowd thinks more tire plies buys them in increased ruggedness?
