UPGRADE from LT225/75R16 D Rating

I read through all the replies and did not read it mentioned that going with a higher rated tire than needed will make for a much rougher ride. Had the OP done magic with the change in wheel size and went to "G" rated tires, his first post afterward would be that his rig is shaking apart. The "G" side walls will be like stone with so light a Chevy 3500 chassis load on them.

Had the rig been extremely light weight, going with "D" rated tires might not be a bad idea. Match the tires to the load and you'll be getting the best ride possible and still be just as safe. With that said, I really don't know of a DRW class C that is light enough for "D" rated tires.

I switched my load range D tires to E, same brand, Firestone, when I replaced my tires the first time. They have not given me any problems.

pnichols wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
Tire blow-outs are usually caused by old age failure or hitting road debris. A heavier load rating won't do anything to help with either of those things.

I've heard others say the same thing.

However, I find it highly counter-intuitive that a heavier load rated tire isn't built intrisically "in a stronger way" such as to not only hold higher pressure/higher loads if one cared about that ... but also as a not-talked-about bonus be more difficult to blow out from road debris and also maybe last longer before old age failure.

I would feel A LOT more secure by running Load Range G tires at 80 lbs. on the rear dualies of our Class C over running Load Range E tires at 80 lbs. on our rear dualies. I'd like a tire designer to explain to me (if they could?) the physics of why a G tire at 80 lbs. inflation would not be a tougher tire than an E tire at 80 lbs. inflation.

Do you know of specific commercial Load Range G tires than can be run at 80 PSI? I've not seen the inflation tables down to mininum allowable pressure, but almost all commercial tires Load Range G and heavier are steel bodied, and will quickly fail from metal fatigue in run below specified minimum inflation pressures, or run overloaded at full pressure (e.g. what happens carrying the full weight of a dually after the other tire fails).

This is something you will have to watch carefully even with a Load Range E having steel body cords, such as the XPS.

JaxDad wrote:
Tire blow-outs are usually caused by old age failure or hitting road debris. A heavier load rating won't do anything to help with either of those things.

I've heard others say the same thing.

However, I find it highly counter-intuitive that a heavier load rated tire isn't built intrisically "in a stronger way" such as to not only hold higher pressure/higher loads if one cared about that ... but also as a not-talked-about bonus be more difficult to blow out from road debris and also maybe last longer before old age failure.

I would feel A LOT more secure by running Load Range G tires at 80 lbs. on the rear dualies of our Class C over running Load Range E tires at 80 lbs. on our rear dualies. I'd like a tire designer to explain to me (if they could?) the physics of why a G tire at 80 lbs. inflation would not be a tougher tire than an E tire at 80 lbs. inflation.

JaxDad. . .Higher load rating will give me some piece of mind I believe ( which is what I am after ); also believe that MOST tire failures are a result of lower than optimal air pressure in the tires resulting in the blowouts ( per my tire shop )( and being a mechanic )( but I have been wrong more than once ). . .AGAIN. . .Thanks for the responses!!!!!

#1Flyboy wrote:
Thanks wolfe10 & tatest; a higher load rating was wanted by me for SAFETY reasons; ordered the Michelin Ribs as they have a nice warranty & I am a fan of Michelin. . .We are gonna enjoy them when in Baja during October & November. . .Thanks to all that replied!!!!!

Bear in mind, load 'ratings' are just that, it's not the point at which the tires fails, it's what the tire is DESIGNED to carry as a maximum continuous load. There is a pretty substantial safety margin beyond that.

Tire blow-outs are usually caused by old age failure or hitting road debris. A heavier load rating won't do anything to help with either of those things.

If it makes you feel better, and you don't mind the extra expense or harsher ride, go for it.

Buy Load E in that size. i just put on Firestone Transforce HT and it rides nice.

Thanks wolfe10 & tatest; a higher load rating was wanted by me for SAFETY reasons; ordered the Michelin Ribs as they have a nice warranty & I am a fan of Michelin. . .We are gonna enjoy them when in Baja during October & November. . .Thanks to all that replied!!!!!

#1Flyboy wrote:
Good Morning. . .Wanting to go to a quality tire that either has a "G" load rating of that size or a larger tire if it will fit with dual rear wheels on a 2007 Chevy 3500 Express frame. Suggestions please IF you have experience or knowledge. . .TIA. . .

How did you arrive at the opinion that you need LR-G tires on your 3500 Express?
I had a 2008 3500 and currently have a 2016 4500. Both came with LT225/75R16 size tires. The 2008 were LR-D and the 2016 are LR-E.

Already had the unit weighed and the LR-E is well over what I need based on measured loading.

Why not just go to E-rated tires? Gonna need new wheels for Gs and they'll be massive overkill for the 6.0/4L80E (or whatever the Chevy vans came with) under the hood. Plus, you're adding over 80lbs in rotating mass and 1" in tire diameter for your close to maxed out (assumption if you want G-tires) brakes and drivetrain to deal with.