lt265/70/17 upgrade to lt275/65/18 worthwhile
Title pretty much says it all. Wondering if anyone has gone from lt265/70/17 to lt275/65/18 and seen any benefits? I am well under the limits of the 17s but since I need new tires want to look at all ...
Forum Discussion
rhagfo wrote:mkirsch wrote:Sport45 wrote:
What's your RAWR? Unless it's more than 6390# you won't gain any rated carrying capacity.
Because the factory RAWR is the sum of the capacities of the OEM tires on SRW trucks, it is generally regarded that the effective RAWR is limited by tires, and putting heavier-rated tires increases the effective RAWR.
For example, an early 2000's Chevy 2500 (non-HD) 8600lb GVWR with semi-floating rear axle has a RAWR of 6084lbs, while the same year 2500HD with a 9200lb GVWR and a full-floating rear axle has the SAME RAWR of 6084lbs.
Both trucks run 245/75R16 tires which in a Load Range E have a rating of 3042lbs each. Coincidence? I think not.
If nothing else you gain a greater safety margin!
I looked at the "17" Upgrade" to my 2001 Ram, once I looked at the difference in tire capacity between my OEM 265/75-16E (3,415#) and the 17" 265/70-17E 3,195#, I decided the 16" looking just fine.
I am really just looking at the safety margin as you say. What are others comfortable when it comes to this margin? Is it safe to run tires near maximum load capacity?
