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way2roll's avatar
way2roll
Navigator II
Oct 13, 2022

Shopping new tires - is my shop confused or am I?

Need new tires on my F350 as the OEM's have worn out. So I am shopping tires where we usually get them but that's always been passenger vehicles without any concern about load rating. So I call them up and tell them what I need - 275/70/18's with an E load rating. Guy tells me they have Michelin defenders (good tires, my wife has them on our CRV) but he seems confused about load rating. He said they are an R rating. I said that's rotation/speed not load. He tells me they are rated for 3,000 lbs. That sounds beefier than an E rated tire and I have concerns about harsh ride? He went into some spiel about how the quality of the rubber really matters more than load and sidewall flex. I was like , "Huh"? Anyway, the load rating seemed elusive to him and his price was $323/tire which seems high. I think the obvious choice is to call around, but this dude who is normally great about anything cars, seemed confused about truck tires. Or am I?
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  • BarryG20's avatar
    BarryG20
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2022
    Well I would say 3000lbs for that size in E load is a bit short should be more like 3680. And in fact the Michelin Defender m/s tire in that size is 3680lbs @ 80psi with a speed rating of R (106 mph). I would suspect that if you looked up your oem tires you would find the same perhaps different speed rating

    You are not confused he is and if you hadn't used them in the past I would be moving along to the next salesperson or tire store. I personally am not sure I could hold a straight face or not make some sort of snarky comment while walking out the door based on his comments about rubber quality vs load rating. Both are important but doesn't matter how high of quality the rubber is if it cant handle the load.

    I am looking at new tires as well and was also surprised at the cost, they have certainly gone up since my last set about 2 years ago. My tire needs are probably different than yours but looking at some Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs same size and load range are in that range. However at Tire rack those duratracs are 338ea those michelins I looked up are 281ea. so I would say it may be worth your while to shop around and or at the least find a more competent salesperson.
  • Fisherman's avatar
    Fisherman
    Explorer
    Oct 13, 2022
    No, he needs to read about tire specs (with a pair of spectacles). QRSTUV...Z are speed ratings, Load ratings are usually CDE and F. E load rating is around 3000lbs.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Oct 13, 2022
    Not sure who is confused more. Tire guy or you.
    First, it's just too hard to look at your current tires and see the load rating, or use the internet, I guess?
    275-70-18 E is a common OE size they are (all) 125 load rating or 3638lbs rated.
    How soft or harsh a tire rides is 90-95% air pressure and very little to do with it's load rating or treadlife.
    Price for the tire you picked out is not horrible. Online they're about $280-$310. Again something you can find out yourself pretty easy with the ole googler or calling other tire shops.

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