Wanted to post one last follow up on this as I feel I've now exhausted my options. At this point in time the only 17" tires being mfg with a spec'd load rating over 3195 are the Toyo M/T 295/70R17E(3970), Nitto Dura Grappler 285/75R17E(3970) and 285/70R17E(3750). Five year's ago 2 additional tires were spec'd higher than 3195, both 285/70R17E: Toyo orig OC AT(3740), Nitto orig TG(3750). Of all of these tires only the M/T 295/70R17E and the DG 285/75R17E have 3 ply sidewalls, rest are 2 ply. Unfortunately for me neither of these will fit on my 2500HD without rubbbing, biggest I can fit is 285/75R16 or 285/70R17
For 18" tires (i'd need new wheels) the highest ratings I've found are 3640 for a tires size that will fit the 2500HD as higher loads are 34"+ sizes. These are also expensive tires.
For 16" tires (again I need new wheels) the options are endless for 3750 rated 285/75R16E but in looking for an AT tire that actually has a 3 ply sidewall the BFG KO2 seems the best choice and is actually rated for severe snow. Most E rated tires in this size (including the Duratrac, Open Country AT II, GY options...) have 2 ply sidewalls. From my experience and countless reviews I've read 2 ply sidewall tires(especially as big a SW as a 33" tire has) are not stiff enough for heavy hauling. Can be done as I did years ago with GY Silent Armor but I did get tire sway as I do now with my 2 ply Dura Grapplers. If anyone's found any other AT tires in this size with 3 ply sidewalls let me know. Also found 3 MT tires in this size with 3 ply sidewalls, the Toyo MT, Nitto Trail Grappler and GY MT/R. These are very stout and heavy tires, Tread seems to be good for deep snow but not necessarily road snow unless siped from what I've read. These two tires are in the 60-70lb range. The BFG KO2 is 60lbs and the 2 Ply tires all seem to be around 53-54 lbs. Seems all AT and MT 3 ply tires I've found in this size are 60lb+ and the 2 ply are low 50's for weight.
As far as wheel options aluminum seem to max out around 3650 lbs for both 16" and 18"(Vision wheels). My current 17" wheels are 4500lb rated. Logic would tell me that I'm likely safer with a 3 ply SW 285/70R17E Toyo MT 66lb tire on my current 4500lb rated wheels since my current Dura Grappler 285/70R17E 2 ply tires (made by same mfg) are rated at 3750 but the fact is that print on the sidewall stating 3195 on the MT isn't going to do me much good if I get pulled over in NY and weighed(only state in NE I've heard of this happening in).
So I have one option with my current wheels and that's the Dura Grappler 285/70R17E tire I currently have and is not good in snow at all plus is only 2 ply.
I'm likely going 16" and limiting factor is now wheels at 3650 but they will meet my rear axle weighed amount of 7240. Appears to be my only affordable option as 16" wheels and tires are cheap these days.
BTW, I have not been able to confirm the number of plys on the Dura Grappler 285/75R17E tire but if I assume that the serious weight difference comes from Sidewall construction then I'd assume this tire is 3 ply as it is 66.5 lbs as compared to the Dura Grappler 285/70R17E which is 53 lbs. Exact same tire in same width just 34" vs 33", if same construction there shouldn't be a 25% increase in weight so I'm assuming more plys.
